Solar Powered AC unit

[d000hg]

But to be honest, do you really need aircon in the UK?

If it were me, I would spend the money on folding glass doors the whole way across the extension, and electric opening lantern roof lights

Typically for a a few days a year, maybe a couple of weeks, it seems like something you really want. Although I find new-build houses and loft conversions are generally insufferably hot so if lived in one of those, I might be tempted

[_V_]

https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p...ir-conditioner

https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p...ir-conditioner

Then buy one of these kits

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164686714...BoCLsIQAvD_BwE

If you are mounting the PV panels on a roof, you will also need roof mounts.



But to be honest, do you really need aircon in the UK?

If it were me, I would spend the money on folding glass doors the whole way across the extension, and electric opening lantern roof lights

https://www.aspire-doors.co.uk/exter...RoCjtcQAvD_BwE

https://rooflights-roof-lanterns.co....hoCdGsQAvD_BwE

And a few good pedestal fans.

Much better use of the money IMHO.

[d000hg]

A use for electricity when it's actually sunny does make PV seem a bit more attractive - in the UK generally that's when usage is lowest, in houses anyway, since A/C is so rare here. To recoup your cash seems likely to be a pretty long-term thing although as someone else said, you probably want the PV wired in to your house, not a solar pane with a lead direct to the A/C, so selling spare Watts might be an option.
If you're bothered about green issues that's relevant too of course.

[quackhandle]

Interesting comments, thank you. Yep, ultimately it is down to cost.

qh

[d000hg]

yes you can.
Is it worth is a different question though. Personally I doubt it.

Better bet would be a shallow pool of water one the roof and let the evaporation of that due to normal sunlight provide some cooling.. That won't be as efficient, but it wont cost you loads of money to install.

Although the ongoing costs for a flooded roof might be high.

[hobnob]

As I understand it, you wouldn't have the solar panels wired directly into the AC. Instead, you'd have the solar panels plugged into an inverter, then the inverter would connect to your consumer unit (fusebox). The AC would also connect to the consumer unit.

At that point, it's just a balancing act: how much energy does it take to run the AC, and how much will you generate from the solar panels? (These will both be measured in kWh, i.e. kilowatt hours.) In particular, it depends whether you're planning to cover the entire roof in panels or just a smaller area.

[Lance]

Looking at getting a single story extension on back of house this summer/autumn, but may use if for exercising when built, so was looking at an AC unit but then I pondered some more and wondered if it could be ran off solar panels placed on roof of proposed extension.

Yay or Nay?

Ta muchly.

qh

yes you can.
Is it worth is a different question though. Personally I doubt it.

Better bet would be a shallow pool of water one the roof and let the evaporation of that due to normal sunlight provide some cooling.. That won't be as efficient, but it wont cost you loads of money to install.

[quackhandle]

Sounds possible.
Best to speak an expert.
Also you will probably need PP for solar on the single storey roof, regardless of if the extension is under PDR.
Might want to sound the neighbours out first to handle any objections.

Cheers, I've seen on YT that this is the norm in the US, especially people with RVs. I'm putting in PP anyway as I want to extend 4m and not the permitted 3m.

Oddly the neighbour who would be closest to this extension already has solar panels on her roof, but they look filthy so not sure if any AC is being generated.

qh

[courtg9000]

Sounds possible.
Best to speak an expert.
Also you will probably need PP for solar on the single storey roof, regardless of if the extension is under PDR.
Might want to sound the neighbours out first to handle any objections.

[quackhandle]

Looking at getting a single story extension on back of house this summer/autumn, but may use if for exercising when built, so was looking at an AC unit but then I pondered some more and wondered if it could be ran off solar panels placed on roof of proposed extension.

Yay or Nay?

Ta muchly.

qh