Solar ... In the news

Options
1…240241243245246…334

Comments

  • Martyn1981
    Martyn1981 Posts: 14,766 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    michaels wrote: »
    Without local storage though? Heat pumps are least efficient when it is coldest, similarly EVs do lower mileage when it is cold and wet. So annual totals may well be fine but specific peak periods could still be a problem.

    I wouldn't encourage him, the assumptions are always silly. If you recall, he denied the existence of the distribution network for a month whilst claiming the grid costs households 10p per day for 100kW, and didn't believe me when I explained (repeatedly) it was about 30p per day for 20-25kW, about 12x the cost ratio he was 'claiming'.

    Best to simply look at 'a household' to get a rational picture, and for UK average mileage we see approx 7.900 miles per year, which averages out at about 2,000kWh pa, or 5.5kWh per day. If that's spread over approx 10hrs in the evening/night, then the average additional household load per car will be approx 550W, far, far (far, far, far, far) less, than a peak evening load.

    Nationally, cars would add 16.5GW (30m x 0.55kW) to the low demand period, though we'd also see a reduction in oil refinery demand as it consumes around 6kWh/gallon of petrol or diesel.

    No probs.
    Mart. Cardiff. 5.58 kWp PV systems (3.58 ESE & 2.0 WNW). Two A2A units for cleaner heating.

    For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.
  • Martyn1981
    Martyn1981 Posts: 14,766 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    It only seems like yesterday when the nuclear advocates on here were claiming Drax coal generation could match UK annual PV generation in just 12-20mins*.

    So it's nice to see PV matching coal generation in 2019 Q1. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

    *It was actually early 2012, and the 'expert' was out by a factor of 1,000 (MWh's and GWh's can be tricky to understand).

    Renewables Generate 33% Of Britain’s Electricity In First Quarter
    According to EnAppSys’ figures, a total of 27.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) of renewable electricity was generated over the first quarter of 2019 in Great Britain (as opposed to the United Kingdom, which includes the Republic of Ireland), 16.6 TWh of which came from wind farms (in line with previous quarters) while solar generated 2.7 TWh (up 43% from the previous quarter and up 46% from Q1 2018).

    These figures from renewable generation compare favorably with the rest of Britain’s energy mix, where natural gas-fired power plants generated 32.2 TWh, or 39.5% of Britain’s total, while nuclear energy generated 13.1 TWh, or 16%.

    The figures also highlight the continued decline of coal in Great Britain’s energy mix, which produced only 2.9 TWh over the first quarter, down 37.2% from the previous quarter and down 65% from the same quarter a year earlier.
    Mart. Cardiff. 5.58 kWp PV systems (3.58 ESE & 2.0 WNW). Two A2A units for cleaner heating.

    For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.
  • ed110220
    ed110220 Posts: 1,475 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post Combo Breaker
    Options
    Martyn1981 wrote: »
    It only seems like yesterday when the nuclear advocates on here were claiming Drax coal generation could match UK annual PV generation in just 12-20mins*.

    So it's nice to see PV matching coal generation in 2019 Q1. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

    *It was actually early 2012, and the 'expert' was out by a factor of 1,000 (MWh's and GWh's can be tricky to understand).

    Renewables Generate 33% Of Britain’s Electricity In First Quarter


    According to MyGridGB...

    It's also notable that for the past 12 months not only has solar (10.6 TWh) exceeded coal (9.7 TWh) but also "new renewables" (solar and wind, but not biomass or hydro) at 52.3 TWh have almost caught up with nuclear at 55.3 TWh.

    I believe it won't be long before they overtake it.
    Solar install June 2022, Bath
    4.8 kW array, Growatt SPH5000 inverter, 2x Growatt ML33RTA batteries.
    SSW roof. ~22° pitch, BISF house. 12 x 400W Hyundai panels
  • Martyn1981
    Martyn1981 Posts: 14,766 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    Worldwide PV hits 500GWp. No longer doubling every two(ish) years, but still growing nicely.

    And German auction prices have stalled a bit, at around £50/MWh, but that still suggests that the UK Government could probably issue net subsidy free CfD's if capped around £45-£50/MWh. Just having a guaranteed income would help to reduce costs by bringing down financing costs.

    Solar once again the only winner in German renewables auctions
    Mart. Cardiff. 5.58 kWp PV systems (3.58 ESE & 2.0 WNW). Two A2A units for cleaner heating.

    For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.
  • Martyn1981
    Martyn1981 Posts: 14,766 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    Nice little read, and explains how PPA's how solved the supply or demand side PV question.

    Supply side is cheaper to install, but sells into a low value market (wholesale prices), whilst demand side PV (often roof mounted and small scale) costs more to install, but 'sells' into a higher value market (retail prices). PPA's sit in the middle (sort of).

    The weekend read: European solar comes of PPAge
    Mart. Cardiff. 5.58 kWp PV systems (3.58 ESE & 2.0 WNW). Two A2A units for cleaner heating.

    For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.
  • Martyn1981
    Martyn1981 Posts: 14,766 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    I'm reminded of the story about life, scheduling tasks of different size and importance, and lastly that there's always room for coffee with friends!

    Caffeine Cranks Up Solar Cells
    Caffeine makes perovskite photovoltaics more stable, enhancing their commercial potential
    Mart. Cardiff. 5.58 kWp PV systems (3.58 ESE & 2.0 WNW). Two A2A units for cleaner heating.

    For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.
  • ASavvyBuyer
    ASavvyBuyer Posts: 1,737 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    Gridserve to build 100 solar-powered electric vehicle forecourts

    https://www.gridserve.com/electric-vehicle-charging
  • Martyn1981
    Martyn1981 Posts: 14,766 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    Good idea to put PV on social housing and low income housing. Hard for anyone to argue against that. Perhaps a policy that all parties can copy. A 'bidding war' of RE policies would make for interesting campaigning (for me).

    Labour reveals plans to fit solar panels to 1.75m homes
    Labour have announced plans to fit solar panels to 1.75m homes lived in by socially housed or low-income households as part of its promised “green industrial revolution” to try to combat climate change and boost jobs.
    As part of the Labour plan, the party has committed to making sure at least 60% of the UK’s electricity and heat comes from renewable sources by 2030. The plan will involve what Labour calls a “just transition”, allowing people currently working in carbon-emitting industries to move into skilled green jobs.
    Corbyn added: “By focusing on low-income households we will reduce fuel poverty and increase support for renewable energy. Social justice and climate justice as one. Environmental destruction and inequality not only can, but must be tackled at the same time.”

    Just to be clear, I'm not congratulating a party, but the promotion of good RE policies going forward.
    Mart. Cardiff. 5.58 kWp PV systems (3.58 ESE & 2.0 WNW). Two A2A units for cleaner heating.

    For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.
  • pile-o-stone
    pile-o-stone Posts: 396 Forumite
    Options
    Martyn1981 wrote: »
    Good idea to put PV on social housing and low income housing. Hard for anyone to argue against that. Perhaps a policy that all parties can copy.

    Every school in the land should have solar fitted. Except in the depths of winter, the kids are there during daylight hours, so all of the power can be used as it's generated - no need for storage.
    5.18 kWp PV systems (3.68 E/W & 1.5 E).
    Solar iBoost+ to two immersion heaters on 300L thermal store.
    Vegan household with 100% composted food waste
    Mini orchard planted and vegetable allotment created.
  • 1961Nick
    1961Nick Posts: 2,077 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    Martyn1981 wrote: »
    Good idea to put PV on social housing and low income housing. Hard for anyone to argue against that. Perhaps a policy that all parties can copy. A 'bidding war' of RE policies would make for interesting campaigning (for me).

    Labour reveals plans to fit solar panels to 1.75m homes







    Just to be clear, I'm not congratulating a party, but the promotion of good RE policies going forward.
    The starting point for this project is £100b & that's just renationalising the energy sector. Any thoughts about doing that at a discount would hurt pension funds that have considerable investment in this sector. That is definitely not in the public interest.

    Solar to 1.75m homes would cost in the region of £6b - £10b & that's assuming that the scale of the enterprise didn't drive the price skyward.

    Reducing energy costs for the end user may look great on a manifesto... however, the reality is that the cost will inevitably transfer to higher public borrowing in the short term & then to higher taxation in the medium & long term.
    4kWp (black/black) - Sofar Inverter - SSE(141°) - 30° pitch - North Lincs
    Installed June 2013 - PVGIS = 3400
    Sofar ME3000SP Inverter & 5 x Pylontech US2000B Plus & 3 x US2000C Batteries - 19.2kWh
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 608.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173.1K Life & Family
  • 248K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards