Solar Panels

marsman802

Hi - The bottom picture would be the better example.
Not sure the amount it is heating but I will ask

lstar337

marsman802 wrote: »

Hi - The bottom picture would be the better example.
Not sure the amount it is heating but I will ask

There seems to be some real confusion here.

If I had to guess, I would say it is a photo voltaic installation (based on your panel description), with a possible diverter to send excess power to the immersion for water heating.

If that is the case, then you should be able to register for FIT and also use any generation to offset your leccy bills.

These are all IF's though because there is some definite confusion about the system.

ajbell

A 5 panel 1.25kWp system isnt going to produce much excess energy to be diverted.

marsman802

Hmm ok thanks for the pointers - You've given me the basis to ask some fairly specific questions on this.
Really appreciated.

lstar337

ajbell wrote: »

A 5 panel 1.25kWp system isnt going to produce much excess energy to be diverted.

That's true.

I have a 6 panel 1.5kWp install, and that is the smallest I have seen.

marsman802, is there spare space on the roof or do the 5 panels take up all the space?

marsman802

There is space up there - let me attach a picture. Is it possible to increase the panel count on an existing system? The more I think about it the more it cannot be just for water heating. The system cost circa £8/9k to install from an invoice I've seen about 8 years ago - the payback on just water heating would be pitiful I would have thought?

lstar337

marsman802 wrote: »

There is space up there - let me attach a picture. Is it possible to increase the panel count on an existing system? The more I think about it the more it cannot be just for water heating. The system cost circa £8/9k to install from an invoice I've seen about 8 years ago - the payback on just water heating would be pitiful I would have thought?

Still hard to tell, but they are very thick so they could be solar thermal.

Installations were very expensive, and I have never understood how they are able to pay for themselves!

marsman802

They were installed in 2008 and the property was sold in 2009....something unfortunate must have happened there somewhere.

ajbell

Reasonable sized house but awkward shaped roof for solar panels. Look like solar pv to me but never seen a 5 panel system. 2008 is early. Before fit payments?.

Cardew

marsman802 wrote: »

There is space up there - let me attach a picture. Is it possible to increase the panel count on an existing system? The more I think about it the more it cannot be just for water heating. The system cost circa £8/9k to install from an invoice I've seen about 8 years ago - the payback on just water heating would be pitiful I would have thought?

Around 2008 the solar thermal scam was at its worst. Unbelievable prices paid; extracted by scum salesmen using unbelievable estimates of potential savings. A system, as shown, for a house with gas CH might save £50 a year. More hot water than you could possibly use in summer, virtually nothing in winter.


If they are solar PV then that pre-dates FIT and the owner would(should) have got a grant for fitting. It wouldn't have been used for heating water as the output from 5 panels is small and there were no immersun type devices marketed to divert generated output to an immersion heater.


Also at 8 years old it is not long until it will need parts costing £hundreds.


My money is on solar thermal!!