Solar panels for dummies :)

rogerblack

jeepjunkie wrote: »

With a backwards running meter the 'grid' is your battery so just use appliances anytime

In 20 years time, all the current meters that support backwards running will have been replaced.
Most already have been.

I'm unsure there is at the moment legislative provision to require the ex-FIT payer, once the 20 years is up, to pay anything at all for export.

Interestingly - in the middle of scotland - Fife - mounting panels flat - 0 degrees slope - has about the same output as at 38 degrees.
For June/July anyway.
This is because they get the sun for a _lot_ longer.
Over the year, they are 7/9ths as good.

elantan

Hi everyone, really appreciate all your input and help, I have had a quick skim of the thread and will go into it in much more detail and no doubt ask more questions lol

I'm night shift just now so will be taking it all in throughout the night, apologies in advance if I don't answer any questions asked, please highlight anything you think I should answer etc as I am on my phone on night shift so may miss bits out

I have been having a further lot of thinking an have some initial questions before I go back over everyone's posts ( the questions have possibly been covered already sorry if it has and I'm repeating )

Is it possible to fit the system yourself and just get it approved by an installer ( this was my sons suggestion... As a family we are taking this very serious ) kinda like you know your car needs xyz before it goes for an MOT so you fix that all yourself then take it for its MOT where it gets certified ?

Also is it possible to obtain the green deal incentives ie the £600 odd and still pay for the system yourself? I ask as a friend got a system installed at a cost of £12k for a 3kw system but he gets £600 odd for the green deal initiative ... U was wondering if my system was £7k could I still get the £600 odd incentive but still pay for it myself rather than go through the whole green deal as I think my friend was grossly over charged.

How financially viable are wind turbines ( I know i just threw that in there sorry) I ask as I'm wondering ... If we can generate enough to cover day time use would a wind turbine help offset night time use ?

I have more questions but will leave it there for a start and slowly work my way through the replies

Thanks again everyone

elantan

Fruit_and_Nut_Case wrote: »

I think systems are being developed to do this but they are likely to be very expensive, due to the need for humungous banks of batteries, and thus of marginal use. As with all technology they are likely to become cheaper with time but who know over what time-scale.

You say you live on a hill; perhaps you could pump water to a pond at the top during the day and let it flow down overnight through a turbine.

I haven't thought about the pond idea ... I'm not sure if we're steep enough but it certainly might be worth considering thanks

I was wondering if in future when technology becomes more reliable and cost effective could a current system be added to this new technology, maybe when it comes time to replace an invertor ( hope I got that right) then it could be upgraded to take and store the battery type storage ?

elantan

dreaming wrote: »

Hi Elantan

Well 4 days of PV and have managed to read the generation meter which states 3520. Not bad as the weather hasn't been overly kind with really overcast afternoons. Right now I have the washing machine on (and the computer obviously) but have got to have my elec. meter changed as it is running backwards (at the moment it is standing still).
Realised today that although I learned a lot about PV from the kind cleverclogs;) on this site, I don't know too much about usage. I mean, I know that all electrical items have a Kw stated on them (e.g. kettle = 3Kw) but what does that mean in practical terms? I know I can't run all my electrical stuff in one go but what combinations could I use? Is there an optimum level of usage? Don't know about answers - sometimes I'm not sure what questions to ask!
Anyway good luck with your search.

Thanks dreaming its helpful to know I'm not alone, it like everything else we can learn so much just by asking the right people and sharing experiences


I put some info into the the link kindly provided on the FAQ page and it i estimated I will generate estimated per day 6.51 or 198 per month or 2380 per year that's for a 4 kw system

And the h ( not sure what that is) is 2.19 per day 66.5 per month and 798 per year

Not sure how that's comparable to others or even if that's good or not tbh

elantan

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Hiya, don't worry about the questions, I was in exactly the same boat as you a few years ago, so started asking questions (and haven't stopped yet!).

Roof v's wall, just checking, you say south west wall. If you mean roof, then that's a very good location. Obviously we all get obsessed with south facing, but SE to SW is great. Even ESE is very good, but no comment on WNW.

With the walls, I gave an awful description of tilted down to 70 deg. Yes 70 is down from 90, but I really meant that the brackets would stick out more at the bottom than the top, tilting the panel up. I believe you'll need planning permission for wall mounted anyway, so worth checking if they can be 'tilted'.

In a similar vein, my ickle ESE system of 5 panels, has 3 on a low roof, and 2 acting as a replacement canopy over my backdoor. In a reversal of the above, I had the brackets made so that the canopy would match the low roof pitch of 20deg. Technically they are wall mounted, but the old canopy was original.

Storing leccy in batteries is gathering steam, but extremely expensive. Something for the future maybe. Here's an old article on such a system, it might possibly double the cost (check out the size of the battery box):

http://www.earthtechling.com/2012/02/japan-combines-solar-storage-to-beat-blackouts/2/

Storing leccy as hot water is a popular topic on here. Savings will vary, and consideration has to be given to when export is metered properly - losing 5p export to save 5p gas etc etc.

Try this thread, loads of info, it does get messy in the middle with some squabbling (me included ) but gets back on track later.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4152489

Mart.

Thanks very helpful

Yes it is roof not wall ... I think I get the 70 degree set up as well now just hope the wind wouldn't catch under it and blow them off ... Yikes

Will deff look into the water heater idea some more ( and no doubt have more q's lol) and read the threads highlighted, It may go against the grain but I think sometimes discussions on threads can be really helpful, it's great to read all the different takes on a subject so that a person can develop a more informed and balanced view

Sorry but am on the phone so scrolling is a nightmare, sure there was more I wanted to mention as well

Martyn1981

elantan wrote: »

I was wondering if in future when technology becomes more reliable and cost effective could a current system be added to this new technology, maybe when it comes time to replace an invertor ( hope I got that right) then it could be upgraded to take and store the battery type storage ?

Hiya, found a site with prices (rare!) for integrated inverters & batteries, there are lots of options, here's one with LifePo batteries:

http://www.sunbat.co.uk/sunbat-9point6kwh-lithium.html

sounds pretty good, till you get to the price bit. :eek: Might be best to watch and wait for a while longer.

As and when an inverter dies you'd definitely want to take the opportunity to look at new kit, if only to find a more efficient model.

Regarding an add-on system, I was reading about one manufacturer last year. The battery 'bit' is a separate add-on, so you could upgrade in the future. Can't remember the name, started with a p, or v or r (I'm cheating now, covering most of the alphabet), anyways it was definitely green with black trim, but that doesn't narrow it down much either!

Come on memory, don't let me down, keep thunking!

Regarding those generation figures, 2,380kWh's pa, was that for wall mounted? Are you comfortable with PVGIS, PM me if you want me to have a play for you.

Mart.

Martyn1981

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Regarding an add-on system, I was reading about one manufacturer last year. The battery 'bit' is a separate add-on, so you could upgrade in the future. Can't remember the name, started with a p, or v or r (I'm cheating now, covering most of the alphabet), anyways it was definitely green with black trim, but that doesn't narrow it down much either!

Come on memory, don't let me down, keep thunking!

This'll be the fellah! I wasn't far out?

http://powerrouter.com/products/powerrouter-solar-inverter

Mart.

rogerblack

elantan wrote: »

Is it possible to fit the system yourself and just get it approved by an installer
<snip>

Also is it possible to obtain the green deal incentives ie the £600 odd and still pay for the system yourself? I ask as a friend got a system installed at a cost of £12k for a 3kw system but he gets £600 odd for the green deal initiative ... U was wondering if my system was £7k could I still get the £600 odd incentive but still pay for it myself rather than go through the whole green deal as I think my friend was grossly over charged.

That is a truly hideous overcharging.
The green deal is only a sane option if you absolutely cannot get finance at 7-8% or so.

You cannot simply do the work yourself, and then get it registered.
In principle, it is possible to find an MCS registered installer that would let you do some of the work, and sign off on the paperwork - I question this is likely though - amongst other things - they have to warranty the work.
Their warranty provider is extremely unlikely to let them do this.

In principle, you can connect a solar generator to the grid, and get paid the 'generation' rate of 4p/kW (or something like that) - if you can find someone who will purchase this power.
Otherwise it's not possible.
(I would love to find someone who would do this)

elantan

Hi all, once again thanks very much for the info, I've been sleeping today and then out helping the mil etc so not had time to fully catch up, I'm not working tonight but am back to the grind stone tomorrow night for three further nights so will have time to once again absorb the info and read a bit more, I think we are getting close to the stage of getting quotes etc and Marty if you don't mind I will ok you my info so that you can check my details thanks

Once again thanks very much for all the help

elantan

Hi all, sorry I haven't got back to anyone we've been at defcon 1 with work so not had time to deal with anything solar panel related.

Had a guy out today, he has quoted us £6,000 for a 4 kw system, he estimates we will get back £670 a year the panel placement he thinks would be best is East and West ( split system) at a 56 and 58 degree tilt, now trying to work out if its right for us or not ... It will take 8.95 years to repay itself, then we have to factor in maintenance and invertor replace my etc.

Anyone want to add anything ?