[OT] Solar panels (PV type)
 

Hi, All,
I'm thinking seriously about installing these PV panels and am looking for
advice. I have a feeling there could be some expertise on this ng. I
estimate about 2,200 kWh per annum for Copley from available data on the
web, although the installers that I have quotes from reckon a touch more
(believe it or not!)
I hope to wire the immersion heater through them and use as much as I can
rather than export. I have until April to decide as the FIT payment is
reduced again then.
I am thinking of a 3kW system. Does anyone out there have them? Are they any
good overall or are they a con?
Any guidance much appreciated.

Copley still cold and cloudy 8cm snow lying and 1cm fresh fall this morning,
but it's melting slowly (:0)
http://www.kencook.magix.net/#Latest

[OT] Solar panels (PV type)
 

On Monday, February 25, 2013 10:28:21 AM UTC, Ken Cook wrote:
Hi, All,

I'm thinking seriously about installing these PV panels and am looking for
advice. I have a feeling there could be some expertise on this ng. I
estimate about 2,200 kWh per annum for Copley from available data on the
web, although the installers that I have quotes from reckon a touch more
(believe it or not!)

I hope to wire the immersion heater through them and use as much as I can
rather than export. I have until April to decide as the FIT payment is
reduced again then.

I am thinking of a 3kW system. Does anyone out there have them? Are they any

good overall or are they a con?

Any guidance much appreciated.

Ken,

I have 1.5kw system. The production over the last 2 full years has been 1445kwh and 1317 kwh respectively (last year only saw 88% of normal sunshine). Providing a total feed in tariff of £1160.

It's not a case of wiring them into an emersion heater. The panels generate DC which goes into an inverter. The AC voltage is then output from the inverter marginally above the mains voltage, so your electrical system prioritises the home production for use. Obviously it makes sense to use the washing machine etc. when the sun's out.

With a small system, it is normally assumed 50% is used on site, so you get an additional (though small) income for exporting 50%, £43 in my case over 2 years.

Adding in what I'm saving on power, I should get my money back in Approx 9 years (I have a spreadsheet I can email you if you wish, which also allows for a return on investing the money I spent.) Savings over the last 2 years have been
£1160 - FIT
£ 43 - Export
£ 115 - Est bill saving on the home use portion
£1318 - Total

My panels were installed by a local firm who have also done many schools etc in Cornwall, and the Eden Project. NO good to you but their website is excellent in explaining things. My home on their site http://www.plugintothesun.co.uk/case...e-in-penzance/

Word of warning. Apart from the fact your sunshine totals are significantly less than mine, I also get reflectio off the sea. Anyone who regular visits the coast will know how much the light increases on a brightish but cloudy day near the sea. My panels often generate 600w under thinish Sc, you'd get nothing like that inland. Also, the winter angle of the sun at your latitude beccomes more of an issue.

There are maps on the WEB (somewhere) which show approx annual generation per kw of panels over England. Your area is a good 30% lower than the south coast of Cornwall.

Email me if you want more info

Graham
Penzance

Solar panels (PV type)
 

On Feb 25, 10:28*am, "Ken Cook" wrote:
Hi, All,
I'm thinking seriously about installing these PV panels and am looking for
advice. I have a feeling there could be some expertise on this ng. I
estimate about 2,200 kWh per annum for Copley from available data on the
web, although the installers that I have quotes from reckon a touch more
(believe it or not!)
I hope to wire the immersion heater through them and use as much as I can
rather than export. I have until April to decide as the FIT payment is
reduced again then.
I am thinking of a 3kW system. Does anyone out there have them? Are they any
good overall or are they a con?
Any guidance much appreciated.

Copley still cold and cloudy 8cm snow lying and 1cm fresh fall this morning,
but it's melting slowly (:0)http://www.kencook.magix.net/#Latest

Hi Ken,
I have a 1.9 kW system with 8 panels. That is all I could get on my
roof.
I am pleased with it, but I did get it installed last Feb before the
feed-in tariff went down.

I received 1700 kWh over the last year.

The price of the panels has come down to compensate a little for the
lower tariff now.
I would go for as many panels as you can. 3 kW sounds good.
Then you can use the decent amount you are generating on sunny days in
the summer.

Len
Wembury, SW Devon

[OT] Solar panels (PV type)
 

Hi Ken,
We live off grid and rely almost entirely on them. Not only do they provide us with 95% of our electricity (the generator has to be run now and then in winter) but they generate nearly £2000 in payments!!(on the original FIT) Marcus Allen is a great guy and will quote. He was considerably less than everyone else and gives good back up. 07968840325 He is Marlborough way but does travel.

Mike

Icy IOW

Solar panels (PV type)
 

"Len Wood" wrote in message
...
On Feb 25, 10:28 am, "Ken Cook" wrote:
Hi, All,
I'm thinking seriously about installing these PV panels and am looking for
advice. I have a feeling there could be some expertise on this ng. I
estimate about 2,200 kWh per annum for Copley from available data on the
web, although the installers that I have quotes from reckon a touch more
(believe it or not!)
I hope to wire the immersion heater through them and use as much as I can
rather than export. I have until April to decide as the FIT payment is
reduced again then.
I am thinking of a 3kW system. Does anyone out there have them? Are they
any
good overall or are they a con?
Any guidance much appreciated.

Copley still cold and cloudy 8cm snow lying and 1cm fresh fall this
morning,
but it's melting slowly (:0)http://www.kencook.magix.net/#Latest

Hi Ken,
I have a 1.9 kW system with 8 panels. That is all I could get on my
roof.
I am pleased with it, but I did get it installed last Feb before the
feed-in tariff went down.

I received 1700 kWh over the last year.

The price of the panels has come down to compensate a little for the
lower tariff now.
I would go for as many panels as you can. 3 kW sounds good.
Then you can use the decent amount you are generating on sunny days in
the summer.
==============================

I explored it last year but was told by a very good reputable company that
it wasn't worth it for my large Edwardian house. I appreciated their
honesty. The problem was not the cloudy skies we get on Dartmoor but the
nature of my roof. It is not one slope but essentially 4 separate steeply
pitched roofs each covering a relatively small area. Estimated pay back time
was 15 years+ using just for hot water, using for heating was totally out of
question with only a small roof area facing south. So a waste of time as we
will move up north before then. To be more green we now burn more logs in
the winter and try and use less oil.

Will
--

Solar panels (PV type)
 

Estimated pay back time was 15 years+ using just for hot water, using for
heating was totally out of question
Will

--

Don't understand this bit. What you use the power for is based on what appliances you are using when the sun's out (or it's bright). The supply from the inverter being taken in preference to that from the mains. So use power when the sun shines! In any case for solar PV the payback time is largely dependent on the FIT. As the inverters are quite expensive, it makes sense to go for as many panels as is practical.

It's also worth pointing out that the panels can be mounted in an unshaded garden, which I don't have, if the roof is unsuitable. They do need to face between SSE & SSW though.

I was limited to 1 row of panels, as the lower part of my roof gets a good deal of shade in the winter, and shading of just 1 panel in a traditional set up dramatically reduces the output. There are new systems now which, with additional wiring & electronics, overcome this, presumably by having multiple feeds into the inverter.

Graham
Penzance

Solar panels (PV type)
 

"Graham Easterling" wrote in message
...
Estimated pay back time was 15 years+ using just for hot water, using for
heating was totally out of question
Will

--

Don't understand this bit. What you use the power for is based on what
appliances you are using when the sun's out (or it's bright). The supply
from the inverter being taken in preference to that from the mains. So use
power when the sun shines! In any case for solar PV the payback time is
largely dependent on the FIT. As the inverters are quite expensive, it makes
sense to go for as many panels as is practical.

It's also worth pointing out that the panels can be mounted in an unshaded
garden, which I don't have, if the roof is unsuitable. They do need to face
between SSE & SSW though.

I was limited to 1 row of panels, as the lower part of my roof gets a good
deal of shade in the winter, and shading of just 1 panel in a traditional
set up dramatically reduces the output. There are new systems now which,
with additional wiring & electronics, overcome this, presumably by having
multiple feeds into the inverter.
========================================

But when the sun's out we are normally outside enjoying ourselves not using
appliances indoors. We really need energy in winter and the sun don't shine
much in winter up here!

I do have an unshaded garden and that is a good point, but do I really want
to sacrifice my beautiful garden for some unsightly panels to save a few
pennies?

Will
--

http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk/Hayt...antage_Pro.htm
Will Hand (Haytor, Devon, 1017 feet asl)
---------------------------------------------

Solar panels (PV type)
 

On Feb 25, 10:28*am, "Ken Cook" wrote:
Hi, All,
I'm thinking seriously about installing these PV panels and am looking for
advice. I have a feeling there could be some expertise on this ng. I
estimate about 2,200 kWh per annum for Copley from available data on the
web, although the installers that I have quotes from reckon a touch more
(believe it or not!)
I hope to wire the immersion heater through them and use as much as I can
rather than export. I have until April to decide as the FIT payment is
reduced again then.
I am thinking of a 3kW system. Does anyone out there have them? Are they any
good overall or are they a con?
Any guidance much appreciated.

Copley still cold and cloudy 8cm snow lying and 1cm fresh fall this morning,
but it's melting slowly (:0)http://www.kencook.magix.net/#Latest

As Graham hints, shading can be a problem.
Some of my panels are shaded for part of the day in winter.
There is a system called SolarEdge which means you still generate
solar even though some panels may be shaded.
I had it installed with my system at no extra cost.
It communicates with a remote server and you can view your output from
each panel at any time of the day via your PC.

My installer was SunGift Solar. A very good Exeter company in my
opinion.
But there must be some company more local to you who know about
Solaredge.
No need for this though if you have no problem with shading.

Len
Wembury

[OT] Solar panels (PV type)
 

"Mike McMillan" wrote in message
...

Hi Ken,
We live off grid and rely almost entirely on them. Not only do they provide
us with 95% of our electricity (the generator has to be run now and then in
winter) but they generate nearly £2000 in payments!!(on the original FIT)
Marcus Allen is a great guy and will quote. He was considerably less than
everyone else and gives good back up. 07968840325 He is Marlborough way but
does travel.

Hi, All,
Thanks for all the replies. I am becoming more convinced as time goes on
that they are a worthwhile investment. I estimate payback time to be around
8 years and my estimate of Feed In Tariff alone equals what I now pay for my
electricity, not to mention actual savings and exported energy. Using a
system such as Immersun or Solic 200, I hope to use most of the electricity
on the immersion, storing hot water in the tank and having little left for
exporting back at the lower rate. Fridge, washing machine, dishwasher etc
that run during the day will use some also.
I was worried about wind damage but am encouraged by Graham, Len and Mike
who live in quite windy areas and don't mention it as a problem. My quotes
include high wind fixings.
Graham, would you send me your spreadsheet, please - much appreciated. I
will not, obviously, get the sunshine you have there, but we do have a
surprising amount here. The largest percentage of sunshine is,
unfortunately, in winter! There is no shading and we face SW and our summer
days are long.
If I install the panels, I'll let you know how things progress.
One final worry - I have heard horror stories about inverters failing so I
would take out a long warranty on this part (not a bad deal, actually).
Anyone heard of problems such as this or panel failure etc?
Thanks again,
Ken

Solar panels (PV type)
 

On Mon, 25 Feb 2013 05:30:50 -0800 (PST), Graham Easterling wrote:

Estimated pay back time was 15 years+ using just for hot water, using
for heating was totally out of question

Don't understand this bit. What you use the power for is based on what
appliances you are using when the sun's out (or it's bright).

I sort of get the feeling Will is confusing Solar Thermal and Solar PV. The
former generate heat the latter electricity.

--
Cheers Dave.
Nr Garrigill, Cumbria. 421m ASL.