Plug in solar

Netexporter

I use PVGIS but as you already had it fired up I thought I'd take the easy option!

I'm not particularly concerned with the electrical safety of these systems but I can envisage a lot of panels flying about in gales if people don't fix them securely.

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81934776#Comment_81934776

Only if you were using 0.8kW plus for the whole of that hour.

Take a look at your IHD - and see what sort of energy draw your house is taking most of the time.

Or look at your 1/2 hrly data on portal / app.

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81934805#Comment_81934805

I can see people already selling tilt mounts to angle on the outside of railings in £ss on line.

Not sure they have to be horizontal or vertical.

But those 3 charts are interesting.

tfhnota

It is 800W coming out of the inverter into the circuit but that does not stop you over-panelling, so you could have 1200W of half decent panels which would keep the solar input up in less than ideal conditions. You won't be able to put them on the roof, though, because it is not permitted development unless MCS approval for the roof fixings (recent change). It is ease and convenience just to plug them into the mains circuit but not going to generate huge savings but I am sure if you ask nicely Ed will send you a badge for helping out the Grid.

JKenH

Press release

Government to make “plug-in solar” available within months

“Plug-in” solar panels to be in shops within months, offering households chance to significantly cut energy bills

Today, the Government is driving forward with the rollout of “plug-in” solar panels (low-cost panels that families can put on their balconies or outdoor space) to be available in shops within months and save people money on their bills. 

Retailers like Lidl and Amazon, alongside manufacturers such as EcoFlow, are working with Government to enable them to be brought to the UK market. 

Link:

Government to make “plug-in solar” available within months - GOV.UK

Qyburn

If I read correctly that Ecoflow system llinked earlier is quite a bit more powerful, the 800W limit applying only to its own grid-tied AC output. Excess solar power charges the battery for use later, or heavier loads can be drawn directly from sockets on the unit.

MouldyOldDough

Here it is on BBC this morning

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czjw7klkjm2o

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81934943#Comment_81934943

In many circumstances, solar panels fixed to the wall or roof of a house or block of flats are classed as 'permitted development' and do not require planning permission, providing that:

• the solar panels do not protrude by more than 200mm beyond the wall or roof
• the solar panel is no higher than the roof (excluding any chimney)

https://www.york.gov.uk/planning-advice-guidance/solar-panels-guidance

born_again

Just looking at this & given our peak usage is between 08:00 & 11:00.

I could use one of these systems at bottom of garage wall angled nicely, where it catches sun nicely at that time of day.

Add some battery storage would be even better.

JKenH

I originally posted this as part of a post on the green and ethical board but have moved it here as more appropriate.

Where will people put their (plug in) solar panels? To be much use they really need to be somewhere where they will catch the sun. For much of the year one’s own house or trees, or those of a neighbour, or even street furniture will cause significant shading. (A neighbour has an electric pole/streetlight outside his house and every afternoon I watch a shadow track across up to 4 panels at a time). People just won’t realise the impact this will have on their generation. I have a couple of solar panels in my garden and it is very difficult to find somewhere that doesn’t have shading at some time of day. When I first got them I moved them around to optimise my generation but soon got tired of that. Four square metres of solar panels in one’s garden aren’t going to be popular with the rest of the family (although they may appear very tempting as the goal for a game of football).

I can see a lot of people being keen to take it up but within a month or two I suspect the idea of saving a £1-2 a week on your bills will soon be outweighed by the negatives and the panels scrapped.

A roof is the best place for solar panels and it will only be a keen d-I-yer who will take up that installation challenge.