Solar panels / storage heaters

bordercars

having a 4kwh solar panel system and not being monitored on the total ( export amounts ( edited ))   for feed im allowed 50% of useage. We already batch cook in daytime to microwave later, my thought is maybe get a storage heater for one room and charge it on the " free " electric not being consumed under normal conditions during the day for the colder evenings. Any thoughts please. 

Alnat1

You'd not charge it much on those cold, grey winter's days when you most need it and the solar is barely running the fridge.

[Deleted User]

bordercars said:

having a 4kwh solar panel system and not being monitored on the total amounts for feed im allowed 50% of useage. We already batch cook in daytime to microwave later, my thought is maybe get a storage heater for one room and charge it on the " free " electric not being consumed under normal conditions during the day for the colder evenings. Any thoughts please. 

Sorry that doesn’t make a lot of sense. If you are in receipt of FIT and export payments, you get a FIT payment for every kWh that your array generates, and an export payment based on 50% of your generation.  You are however free to use ALL (100%) of the electricity that your system generates. The challenge that you have is using the energy that is generated. Most homes without a battery can use somewhere between 25 and 50% of their solar energy.

@Alnat1 is correct. In December, I guess that your monthly generation might be about 80kWh with daily outputs ranging from a bit to not a lot. My lowest output on a 6.35kWp array last December was 350Wh.

My advice - feel free to ignore me - is either buy a battery or a small heater. Ideally, you want a heater that will run with varying solar outputs.

chris_n

Unless you get a diversion device you will pay a lot for electricity to fill your heater alongside your solar. If you do use a diverter you will have to find an old heater as you need a purely resistive load, this type of heater is no longer available new. Many at the moment are fitting heat pump air conditioners and accepting that the will have to buy some electricity but the COP of the units makes it worth it in all but December and January.