Reply to: Panels

[sadkingbilly]

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

[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

[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]

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.

[sadkingbilly]

maybe he gets his info from the daily fail?

[WTFH]

Solar power in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia is a start, although if you prefer official figures PV_Live – Sheffield Solar, which monitors the real output across the country. All time peak - in the middle of summer, of 18GW of theorectical output, had a max output of 12GW. December / January are minimal.

Another source UK: load factor of solar PV 2023 | Statista

The 50% figure I quoted was simply that tazdevil was quoting 3.8kW (kWh in reality) as a yearly average from a 3.6kW array - I don't actually understand that figure - unless it's actually 3.8MWh ?

Taking the 400W example, generating 340kWh per year, that is also approaching 10%, if you consider that 400W = 9.6kWh per day - 3,504kWh per year.

Personal calculations for installation have given questionable returns on investment - if you are eco minded, it's likely better to have an eco-friendly power tariff.

(edit - to correct my maths)

So what you’re saying is, you calculate based on 24 hours of generation per day, when most users are happy knowing that 10 panels is enough to power your house.

You provide links to UK solar generation, when this is about domestic.
You say the peak UK output is theoretically 18GW but the maximum recorded was 12GW. Now I’m no mathematical genius like you, but 12 is not one tenth of 18.

It’s like you’re arguing that you have numbers that “prove” nothing solar would ever work, and then you get them wrong.

[secwombat]

Solar power in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia is a start, although if you prefer official figures PV_Live – Sheffield Solar, which monitors the real output across the country. All time peak - in the middle of summer, of 18GW of theorectical output, had a max output of 12GW. December / January are minimal.

Another source UK: load factor of solar PV 2023 | Statista

The 50% figure I quoted was simply that tazdevil was quoting 3.8kW (kWh in reality) as a yearly average from a 3.6kW array - I don't actually understand that figure - unless it's actually 3.8MWh ?

Taking the 400W example, generating 340kWh per year, that is also approaching 10%, if you consider that 400W = 9.6kWh per day - 3,504kWh per year.

Personal calculations for installation have given questionable returns on investment - if you are eco minded, it's likely better to have an eco-friendly power tariff.

(edit - to correct my maths)

[WTFH]

I think you must have double the panels you think you have (at the very least)

Half of the day is dark, when you definitely won't be getting any power !

Can you tell us your source for your figures of 1/10th, etc, because it's not indicative of the results of those who have panels.

Although, I notice that you went from 10% to 50% in the space of 2 posts, so maybe you'll be closer to the mark in a few posts time.

Just been checking... a panel rated 400W will produce about 340kWh per year in the UK. Which would mean 10 panels would produce enough electricity for the average house in the UK, if you have a means to store it for night time use, etc.

[secwombat]

I think you must have double the panels you think you have (at the very least)

Half of the day is dark, when you definitely won't be getting any power !

[tazdevil]

Which in reality in the UK will work out at about 1kW over the year (10% of name plate capacity at our latitude)

(Time to post after a long hiatus, as about to hit the bench )

My array is rated at 3.6kW and I've had up to 3.8kW / year and that's in North Yorkshire.

[milanbenes]

Which in reality in the UK will work out at about 1kW over the year (10% of name plate capacity at our latitude)

(Time to post after a long hiatus, as about to hit the bench )

so in the uk you have to have ten times as many panels as everyone on the mainland ?

good luck with the contract hunting

Milan.

[secwombat]

you are indeed correct, the expected total output is about 10kw

:-)

Milan.

Which in reality in the UK will work out at about 1kW over the year (10% of name plate capacity at our latitude)

(Time to post after a long hiatus, as about to hit the bench )

[milanbenes]

that sounds delightful

Milan.

[BlueSharp]

I've got some lovely wooden ones in the hall way.

[milanbenes]

you are indeed correct, the expected total output is about 10kw

:-)

Milan.