How useless is your solar at the moment?

[hornsofallign]

Slightly off topic but still on Solar, its make you wonder about these fields full of panels contribution to the national grid when covered in Snow and fog bound as they have been lately, there are 2 massive fields near us in North Lincolnshire, one fairly recent, these used to provide crops (and absorb Carbon) which we need as much more than a medal for being green

Unfortunately there’s a distinct possibility those crops would have been used for bio-diesel, with no carbon ‘win’. I saw some stats about it once and was saddened how much food we use for driving.

 

[Coolcats]

The use of land for solar farms has always been a concern of mine, surely good agricultural land should be used for crops which we need more?
As I see it, every new build should have panels (and not just a token 4 which just seem to tick the green box) every factory /warehouse should be covered in them, appreciate they will still be seasonal, but if they reduce the demand on oil/gas/coal for 9 months of the year, it can only be beneficial for cost and pollution.

Just to comment, every home should have solar fitted along with battery storage in these deep winter days my 16kw currently produce around 5kw per day however the batteries are storing energy at night this is saving me between £40-£60 per month by using cheap rate economy 7 electricity with longer days the batteries are charged during the day excess sold off to the energy companies and the rest is self use.

My beef is that these benefits are not being highlighted and whilst a new install gets the vat knocked off there is no other Government incentives for solar for households.

We have had 12000 new homes built locally none have solar fitted yet a company wishes to plant solar claiming it will support 12000 homes Doh! We need better joined up thinking on our energy security in this country.

 

[headlight]

I live in South Wales and checked my batteries yesterday on my motorhome.
The Victron app showed that my leisure batteries were on float at 13.8v and using a multimeter that my starter battery was at 12.7v.
I have one 115watt panel and a battery master.
So although at this time of year/weather my solar obviously won't produce much it is still enough to replace any parasitic and self discharge my batteries are experiencing

 

[headlight]

Just took a screenshot of my Victron app.

 

[slowcoach65]

Doh, never even thought about the snow covering the solar panel!

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[Otter Spotter]

Slightly off topic but still on Solar, its make you wonder about these fields full of panels contribution to the national grid when covered in Snow and fog bound as they have been lately, there are 2 massive fields near us in North Lincolnshire, one fairly recent, these used to provide crops (and absorb Carbon) which we need as much more than a medal for being green

Not sure why much more use of Agrivoltaics does'nt happen, 2 birds with 1 stone

Agrivoltaics - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[scotzsue]

That reminds me, better go and check the van in storage

Well went to check today, batteries both 13+ on the panel which is reliable usually only .1 different to volt meter

 

[3crispies]

Ours dropped to 12.3v after 4 weeks sat in storage, brought home for a 24 hour charge and now + 13v. Looked at solar set ups but sat in partial shade at storage. Can check voltage remotely through tracker app so just keep an eye on it.

 

[Widge]

You tell me then why folks have half a dozen panels, all the latest controllers ,b2b, and all manner of other gizmos and still end up with flat batteries.

Its probably the all manner of gizmos causing the problem, i am getting poor charge at the minute, but batteries are fine since I pulled the fuse on my dashcam that has a standy mode.

 

[Wh05apk]

Well, I thought last week with low sun, and the panels covered in heavy frost would be bad, but so dull here, currently getting zero! although it did peak earlier at 9w ! Now how can I fritter that power away?

Only another couple of days and the days start getting longer!

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[cyberyacht]

Even my main house 4Kw array only produced 200W yesterday.

 

[Widge]

Just to comment, every home should have solar fitted along with battery storage in these deep winter days my 16kw currently produce around 5kw per day however the batteries are storing energy at night this is saving me between £40-£60 per month by using cheap rate economy 7 electricity with longer days the batteries are charged during the day excess sold off to the energy companies and the rest is self use.

My beef is that these benefits are not being highlighted and whilst a new install gets the vat knocked off there is no other Government incentives for solar for households.

We have had 12000 new homes built locally none have solar fitted yet a company wishes to plant solar claiming it will support 12000 homes Doh! We need better joined up thinking on our energy security in this country.

I agree, why are greenfield sites being used for solar, how many millions of square meters that could be used above carparks, a lot of the supermarket carparks in france are getting covered in panels, its win win for the supermarket they get to sell electricity, and their clients have parking that is sheltered from the heat of the sun and to a lesser extent the rain.

And maybe it could also be extended to cover roads?

 

[Widge]

I agree, why are greenfield sites being used for solar, how many millions of square meters that could be used above carparks, a lot of the supermarket carparks in france are getting covered in panels, its win win for the supermarket they get to sell electricity, and their clients have parking that is sheltered from the heat of the sun and to a lesser extent the rain.

And maybe it could also be extended to cover roads?

This is a 4.2Mw (max) instalation at a leclerk supermarket in southern france.

 

[busbuddy]

Just been in mine to replenish the wine ready for trip to cornwall today, van not moved since november

 

[Muddywheeler]

I hope green field solar farms aren’t a waste of time as there’s 88Ha going up near me next year. The yellow x is where I live I wonder if I could run an extension lead from it

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[andysam]

I stuck an extra 120w panel on today, taking total panel power to 220w...and a dizzying 0.4A at 3pm.

 

[Coolcats]

I hope green field solar farms aren’t a waste of time as there’s 88Ha going up near me next year. The yellow x is where I live I wonder if I could run an extension lead from itView attachment 700361

Wouldn’t it be better for houses to have solar panels and battery storage before planting solar farms.

 

[cyberyacht]

Certainly, plus all those massive distribution warehouses. Lots of roof space there. Should make it standard as part of planning approval if the powers that be are really serious about being green, which they aren't of course.

 

[Coolcats]

Certainly, plus all those massive distribution warehouses. Lots of roof space there. Should make it standard as part of planning approval if the powers that be are really serious about being green, which they aren't of course.

This is how it should be, the more home solar production and storage the less the power and petro chemical industries would recive in revenue. The public could be far more self reliant on energy production. It’s interesting in that many have greatly reduced thier power needs by using energy efficient light bulbs and devices around the home yet the U.K. is one of the costliest places for electricity, So self generation has to be the way to go.

 

[Littlewheels]

Not sure why much more use of Agrivoltaics does'nt happen, 2 birds with 1 stone

Agrivoltaics - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I’ve thought the same although l have seen the occasional application with Sheep. Surely the solar Panels could be sited on stilts/platform which would allow any size animal to graze.

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[peterc10]

I’ve thought the same although l have seen the occasional application with Sheep. Surely the solar Panels could be sited on stilts/platform which would allow any size animal to graze.

Grass doesn't grow well in the shade. End up moss like parts of my back lawn

 

[Littlewheels]

Grass doesn't grow well in the shade. End up moss like parts of my back lawn

Look at the link it proves it can work.

 

[Coolcats]

Look at the link it proves it can work.

Whilst I feel roofs should be used in the first instance Ecotricity have been a leader in renewables and have a new hybrid park. Dale Vince has some interesting thoughts on his blog if his name was Elon and this was America he would be hails as a genius

Our two new hybrid energy parks have launched today

Today, on Winter Solstice, we’re delighted to announce the opening of two hybrid Wind and Sun parks in Bulkworthy, Devon and Dalby, Leicestershire.

www.ecotricity.co.uk

 

[Littlewheels]

Whilst I feel roofs should be used in the first instance Ecotricity have been a leader in renewables and have a new hybrid park. Dale Vince has some interesting thoughts on his blog if his name was Elon and this was America he would be hails as a genius

Our two new hybrid energy parks have launched today

Today, on Winter Solstice, we’re delighted to announce the opening of two hybrid Wind and Sun parks in Bulkworthy, Devon and Dalby, Leicestershire.

www.ecotricity.co.uk

Very interesting and proof that it contributerie solution.

 

[The Artilleryman]

Wouldn’t it be better for houses to have solar panels and battery storage before planting solar farms.

I agree, but if you do not have roof area facing South or South East you won't get much out of your PV panels.

We have a large roof area but the spine runs N - S and have very little S facing unshaded area, so unless I fit panels facing E & W won't get much.

Next door has just had 10 panels fitted to there S facing roof and I'll be interested to see how much they actually generate next year.

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[lorger]

Scotland having wall to wall sunshine for at least 5 days a year means my solar is great
Actually doing not to bad considering the full days we’ve had.

 

[Coolcats]

I agree, but if you do not have roof area facing South or South East you won't get much out of your PV panels.

We have a large roof area but the spine runs N - S and have very little S facing unshaded area, so unless I fit panels facing E & W won't get much.

Next door has just had 10 panels fitted to there S facing roof and I'll be interested to see how much they actually generate next year.

Interesting I have E/W panels and Battery storage also have Tigo optimisers that can negate the effect of shading on a string in other words each panel can generate maximum energy for the time of day or year with out being dragged down by the performance of panels generating less. My panels should produce around 4,700 kWh per year meaning the whole set up with current costs should be paid for within 7 years. My battery's to day were fully charged with economy 7, they dipped running the background stuff to my home and were topped back up to 100% and at 19:20 this is how they looked

 

[The Artilleryman]

Interesting.

As you say should be paid for in 7 years, so basically I might get a couple of years after that and then somebody will get a good setup, but my heirs won't get much extra for the bungalow. I'd rather spend it on me & SWMBO while we can enjoy it.

 

[68c]

.....yet the U.K. is one of the costliest places for electricity....

Why is it so expensive? We are a small country with a large population in cities only a few tens of miles apart. The National Grid does not have to run it's power lines as far between cities as in France, Germany, Spain etc. The Generation companies have access to wind, hydro, solar, nuclear and gas powered stations. I am sure it is down to tax on the supply and the need to provide profit for shareholders. With our advanced industrial capabilities we should be able to run the industry efficiently to serve the nation, not just fat cats in foreign lands.

 

[Coolcats]

Interesting.

As you say should be paid for in 7 years, so basically I might get a couple of years after that and then somebody will get a good setup, but my heirs won't get much extra for the bungalow. I'd rather spend it on me & SWMBO while we can enjoy it.

If your property is in good condition and energy stays high your heirs will benefit from maximising the property value but also your legacy would be in helping the environment for your heirs and their descendants.

For us it’s about not giving the btard’s our money we do not have kids so the lot will eventually go to the donkey sanctuary and if it contributes even in a microscopic way to help the Enviroment them that’s a good thing

But having said this everyone spends thier money in the way they wish.

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