Is iBoost really worth it?

Petriix

RealtimeBlues said:

QrizB said:

RealtimeBlues said:

So its about cost savings etc and not about saving the planet lol

I suspect @RealtimeBlues won't be back, but if they are they might like to consider that a kWh of gas has a carbon footprint of just over 200g CO2, while a kWh from the grid has a typical carbon footprint of ... about 200g CO2.

Whether you replace a kWh of gas with your own electricity, or export the kWh to the grid and displace a kWh of grid electricity, the net effect on carbon emissions is similar.

Surely a kWh from the sun has zero g of CO2

Yes, that's why adding it to the grid is a good thing, and most likely 'greener' than using it yourself. If you export it then you probably prevent that kWh being generated at CCGT plant at ~ 60% efficiency and around 500g of CO2 per kWh.

The overall picture is complicated because there are many variables, but the most likely conclusion in normal circumstances is that a solar hot water diverter has a net negative environmental impact. 

paul991

. Whatever the reason someone  buys pv financial or a wish to be more environmentally friendly doesn't  matter if  by making  more  money it encourages more people to purchase pv it's a good thing.

Alnat1

We decided not to fit an iBoost with our system install last March as we use very little hot water, mainly a couple of showers a day. Over summer we've averaged 3kWh gas a day (a bit of hob cooking in there too)

It will be easy enough to add one if (when?) the price of gas goes up a lot but maybe at that point we'd be thinking ASHP and ditch the gas boiler anyway.

iBoost goes well with FIT but with SEG it's a more complex decision.

JKenH

For some people an iBoost (or Eddi or equivalent) the satisfaction of heating water from your own generation appeals more than exporting then buying back gas or oil to heat the tank. 

JKenH

Petriix said:

RealtimeBlues said:

QrizB said:

RealtimeBlues said:

So its about cost savings etc and not about saving the planet lol

I suspect @RealtimeBlues won't be back, but if they are they might like to consider that a kWh of gas has a carbon footprint of just over 200g CO2, while a kWh from the grid has a typical carbon footprint of ... about 200g CO2.

Whether you replace a kWh of gas with your own electricity, or export the kWh to the grid and displace a kWh of grid electricity, the net effect on carbon emissions is similar.

Surely a kWh from the sun has zero g of CO2

Yes, that's why adding it to the grid is a good thing, and most likely 'greener' than using it yourself. If you export it then you probably prevent that kWh being generated at CCGT plant at ~ 60% efficiency and around 500g of CO2 per kWh.

The overall picture is complicated because there are many variables, but the most likely conclusion in normal circumstances is that a solar hot water diverter has a net negative environmental impact. 

You could say the same about charging an EV at home. 

Petriix

JKenH said:

Petriix said:

RealtimeBlues said:

QrizB said:

RealtimeBlues said:

So its about cost savings etc and not about saving the planet lol

I suspect @RealtimeBlues won't be back, but if they are they might like to consider that a kWh of gas has a carbon footprint of just over 200g CO2, while a kWh from the grid has a typical carbon footprint of ... about 200g CO2.

Whether you replace a kWh of gas with your own electricity, or export the kWh to the grid and displace a kWh of grid electricity, the net effect on carbon emissions is similar.

Surely a kWh from the sun has zero g of CO2

Yes, that's why adding it to the grid is a good thing, and most likely 'greener' than using it yourself. If you export it then you probably prevent that kWh being generated at CCGT plant at ~ 60% efficiency and around 500g of CO2 per kWh.

The overall picture is complicated because there are many variables, but the most likely conclusion in normal circumstances is that a solar hot water diverter has a net negative environmental impact. 

You could say the same about charging an EV at home. 

Yes, I entirely agree. I still do use my Zappi to divert excess solar into my car but only for financial benefits, and even that is pretty negligible while I'm still on Go at 5p overnight  (although deemed export payments help).

I don't, however, explain such nuance when telling people how many miles come directly from the sun 'for free' because it would somewhat dilute the message. 

RealtimeBlues

Petriix said:

RealtimeBlues said:

QrizB said:

RealtimeBlues said:

So its about cost savings etc and not about saving the planet lol

I suspect @RealtimeBlues won't be back, but if they are they might like to consider that a kWh of gas has a carbon footprint of just over 200g CO2, while a kWh from the grid has a typical carbon footprint of ... about 200g CO2.

Whether you replace a kWh of gas with your own electricity, or export the kWh to the grid and displace a kWh of grid electricity, the net effect on carbon emissions is similar.

Surely a kWh from the sun has zero g of CO2

Yes, that's why adding it to the grid is a good thing, and most likely 'greener' than using it yourself. If you export it then you probably prevent that kWh being generated at CCGT plant at ~ 60% efficiency and around 500g of CO2 per kWh.

The overall picture is complicated because there are many variables, but the most likely conclusion in normal circumstances is that a solar hot water diverter has a net negative environmental impact. 

I am back again QrizB lol But if I use it (free solar) in a power diverter, then my free solar energy stops gas being burnt and reduces CO2 etc etc

Petriix

RealtimeBlues said:

Petriix said:

RealtimeBlues said:

QrizB said:

RealtimeBlues said:

So its about cost savings etc and not about saving the planet lol

I suspect @RealtimeBlues won't be back, but if they are they might like to consider that a kWh of gas has a carbon footprint of just over 200g CO2, while a kWh from the grid has a typical carbon footprint of ... about 200g CO2.

Whether you replace a kWh of gas with your own electricity, or export the kWh to the grid and displace a kWh of grid electricity, the net effect on carbon emissions is similar.

Surely a kWh from the sun has zero g of CO2

Yes, that's why adding it to the grid is a good thing, and most likely 'greener' than using it yourself. If you export it then you probably prevent that kWh being generated at CCGT plant at ~ 60% efficiency and around 500g of CO2 per kWh.

The overall picture is complicated because there are many variables, but the most likely conclusion in normal circumstances is that a solar hot water diverter has a net negative environmental impact. 

I am back again QrizB lol But if I use it (free solar) in a power diverter, then my free solar energy stops gas being burnt and reduces CO2 etc etc

And, as I already explained (twice, now three times), burning gas at home to heat water is likely more efficient than burning gas at a power station (plus the associated grid losses) to deliver that extra electricity to the grid. At best it's totally neutral, so no actual benefit.

RealtimeBlues

Petriix said:

RealtimeBlues said:

Petriix said:

RealtimeBlues said:

QrizB said:

RealtimeBlues said:

So its about cost savings etc and not about saving the planet lol

I suspect @RealtimeBlues won't be back, but if they are they might like to consider that a kWh of gas has a carbon footprint of just over 200g CO2, while a kWh from the grid has a typical carbon footprint of ... about 200g CO2.

Whether you replace a kWh of gas with your own electricity, or export the kWh to the grid and displace a kWh of grid electricity, the net effect on carbon emissions is similar.

Surely a kWh from the sun has zero g of CO2

Yes, that's why adding it to the grid is a good thing, and most likely 'greener' than using it yourself. If you export it then you probably prevent that kWh being generated at CCGT plant at ~ 60% efficiency and around 500g of CO2 per kWh.

The overall picture is complicated because there are many variables, but the most likely conclusion in normal circumstances is that a solar hot water diverter has a net negative environmental impact. 

I am back again QrizB lol But if I use it (free solar) in a power diverter, then my free solar energy stops gas being burnt and reduces CO2 etc etc

And, as I already explained (twice, now three times), burning gas at home to heat water is likely more efficient than burning gas at a power station (plus the associated grid losses) to deliver that extra electricity to the grid. At best it's totally neutral, so no actual benefit.

And for the 3rd/4th time, free solar electricity going into an immersion heater, is better for the environment than burning gas 

paul991

recently uk has been exporting 10% of its electricity whilst importing  gas