Panels

[secwombat]

To compare efficacy of different types of power generation, it has to be done a load factor basis as these are intermittent sources of electricity. This is standard stuff - snippet below, from the Government website (Google "Load factors for renewable electricity generation")


In a domestic situation, it is subject to too many variables to know whether you'll be able to meet the stats above, so using these as a yardstick to determine how big an installation is required is reasonable.

The main challenge with solar, is that in the UK, when you need the power, it's unlikely to be generated - i.e. the doldrums of winter and early spring. Battery storage isn't cheap, and will likely need replacement at least once during the lifetime of the solar panels. This should therefore be included in any calculations. Being "off grid" is a different proposition to that of thinking you'll save money, or eco considerations.

People should be clear on their aims, and include all information relevant in any implementations, as to be frank there are a lot of cowboys looking to fleece you.

[WTFH]

In a domestic situation, it is subject to too many variables to know whether you'll be able to meet the stats above, so using these as a yardstick to determine how big an installation is required is reasonable.

Are you still claiming that 1/10th of 18 is 12, based on "too many variables" and your interpretation of figures?

[secwombat]

Are you still claiming that 1/10th of 18 is 12, based on "too many variables" and your interpretation of figures?

The 12GW generated of 18GW capacity was the peak value. Not the average

From the Uni of Sheffield site:



The stats as per the UK Government site demonstrate the average load factor. If you think that my interpretation of facts is incorrect, then you should query that with them - not me

[sadkingbilly]

bugger it. - this is too tedious. - i'm getting feckin' windmills

[milanbenes]

we got the planning permission to put them in the garden and work will be start either before it gets cold or after

Milan.

[BoredBloke]

Last year our roof was showing its age. I had a couple of people round to assess it and was told it probs had another 10 years left. I figured by then we'd be retired and probably wouldn't have the money to replace it so decided to bite the bullet. I enquired about panels at the time We were quoted....

Re Roof only £12k
16 panels and a 9.8kwh battery 11k

Both together £18k

Ours are the ones integrated into the roof rather than the panels sitting on top - i think it looks better and it stops birds nesting under them. There is no VAT on solar installations and because we were having the roof done as part of the install the VAT wasn't charged on the roof either. Our roof is East/West and Rochdale is hardly ideal for non rainy/sunny days. We've had it in for a year and its taken our Electric down from about £150 a month to pretty much just the standing charge once you work it out over the year. During the summer it generally made about 4kwh.....right now its gloomy as an making a whopping 288w!

[woody1]

During the summer it generally made about 4kwh.....right now its gloomy as an making a whopping 288w!

4 units per day? Any idea how many units per year you're generating?

With the combined roof & panels only being £6k more than just a re-roof, I guess it won't take too many years for it to pay for itself?

[milanbenes]

We've had it in for a year and its taken our Electric down from about £150 a month to pretty much just the standing charge once you work it out over the year.

that's awesome hoping for the same

ours is will be installed in the garden parallel to a south facing fence / boundary, a 25metre strip of panels

total investment will be about GBP14k and a grant covers half of that

Milan in "going green" mode.

[BoredBloke]

4 units per day? Any idea how many units per year you're generating?

With the combined roof & panels only being £6k more than just a re-roof, I guess it won't take too many years for it to pay for itself?

No per hour.....its best month in the summer it made 977kw

[milanbenes]

our project includes batteries and a new 300l electric hot water boiler

just sayin'

Milan.