General
10 Jun 11
10 Jun 11
2 edits
I was thinking about getting solar panels installed, and was wondering what the pros and cons were, and what the general concensus was on them. The link below is an example of the types of solar panel system that is available here in Ireland. I'm kean on the idea, especially if they cut down on our Gas use, and therefor our heating bills. I know the systems we can get are not as advanced as what you can get In the US or Canada (for example), and one small worry is that we might buy a system that will be obsolete before they pay for themselves.
What do you guys think? Has anyone this side of the Atlantic installed them, and do you have good or bad things to say?
http://www.activ8energies.com/
http://www.genersys-ireland.com/
10 Jun 11
2 edits
Originally posted by huckleberryhoundI certainly have, we had them installed only recently, a 12KW system \ 10panels. We're working on a 24hr system, storing what we don;t use, as ours is set up just for daylight use presently and selling what we don;t back to the National Grid. It's cut down on gas quite dramatically, we've installed electric everything and the bills are a third of what they were. We've had nothing negative to report, a neighbour said he didn't like them but only after he was told he'd missed out on the government grants lol..
I was thinking about getting solar panels installed, and was wondering what the pros and cons were, and what the general concensus was on them. The link below is an example of the types of solar panel system that is available here in Ireland. I'm kean on the idea, especially if they cut down on our Gas use, and therefor our heating bills. I know the ...[text shortened]... d or bad things to say?
http://www.activ8energies.com/
http://www.genersys-ireland.com/
There are various Europe wide incentives toward this technology,..I'll dig mine out and post it here. Dean. N.B. We had to get some minor roof work done before they'd install them, just bollox standards stuff that they insisted upon, and there was initial confusion with the electric company as it looked like we were still taking 24hrs FROM the national grid instead of now being suppliers to it.. other than that it's too early to give an honest pros and cons comment..
10 Jun 11
1 edit
Originally posted by RevRSleekerWe don't have the tech over here to return power back to the grid, hot water is about all we can get at the moment, and we have grants for installing here too. I'm also looking into a water butt system for pumping water into the toilet and for the washing machine...even just to have one for the veg garden would be nice, but as the veg will all be gone by september, another use would be cool (the system might be too big for our little garden though).
I certainly have, we had them installed only recently, a 12KW system \ 10panels. We're working on a 24hr system, storing what we don;t use, as ours is set up just for daylight use presently and selling what we don;t back to the National Grid. It's cut down on gas quite dramatically, we've installed electric everything and the bills are a third of what t liers to it.. other than that it's too early to give an honest pros and cons comment..
10 Jun 11
1 edit
Originally posted by huckleberryhoundI made a wonderful shower set up in our summer house by utilising the compost heap and lots of hosepipe. Coil it all into the compost and let nature take its course but it can get awful hot, there's a trick to that lol. Our summer house ( or glorified shed as my brother calls it ) is not a million miles from the house but the whole shower idea was taken as my wife HATED me wandering through the house after I'd spent hours in the garden or hours working on my bikes, getting filthy dirty. It's also a good excuse to stay HERE awhile longer than a shower takes, laptop, comfy seats and tranquillity..I just add things as and when I want and need them...( and a place to have the odd smoke without risk of being caught 😛 ) what more does one want 😀
We don't have the tech over here to return power back to the grid, hot water is about all we can get at the moment, and we have grants for installing here too. I'm also looking into a water butt system for pumping water into the toilet and for the washing machine...even just to have one for the veg garden would be nice, but as the veg will all be go ...[text shortened]... ptember, another use would be cool (the system might be too big for our little garden though).
11 Jun 11
Originally posted by RevRSleekerDid you say 12 Kw? That is a LOT of solar panels. Most home units here go 3 Kw max, maybe 4.
I certainly have, we had them installed only recently, a 12KW system \ 10panels. We're working on a 24hr system, storing what we don;t use, as ours is set up just for daylight use presently and selling what we don;t back to the National Grid. It's cut down on gas quite dramatically, we've installed electric everything and the bills are a third of what t ...[text shortened]... liers to it.. other than that it's too early to give an honest pros and cons comment..
I saw a building being equipped with solar, 18 kw and it was going to fill a LOT of roof space, maybe 50 meters by 50 meters, a huge investment. 12 Kw would certainly be enough to run a regular house, even counting the 2/3 time it doesn't generate power.
So divide 12 by 3 and you are left with 4 kw if you store the excess for use at night.
That would be 96 Kwhr/day.
If your house was well insulated and you used an underground deep pipe system to collect water at about 50 degrees F, you could even heat the place in winter.
You know about that system, right? You get 3X the BTU output vs what electrical energy you put in, so a 50,000 btu worth of electricity would come out at 150,000 btu of heat. Of course a well insulated house would need only a fraction of that. BTW, I assume you already know, 5000 btu in terms of electricity is about 1500 watts, running continuously for 5000 BTU/hr. So 1500 watts would turn into 15000 BTU of heat from the underground water supply.
Although in winter I bet that 12 Kw would go down to 6...
11 Jun 11
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Originally posted by sonhouseIt's a part of the grant scheme, you agree in principle but not legally binding, it's actually the installers that get massive set up grants \ loans and whatever aid and they are given INCENTIVES themselves to recoup what they can..it's in their interests if they can get 75% of your output back into The National Grid, they get paid 43pence per unit beyond a small amount that we get ( therein lies the possible loophole being explred by many..read on )..the crux is they install way way over the actual houses needs in order to profit themselves, if you follow..we essentially supply the national grid with x amount whilst using only x amount ourselves...the loophole we're exploring ( legally I must stress ) is storing amounts for the houses full time needs and not merely it's daylight capabilities thus throwing a lesser amount back to the Grid....but but but, you're right in one regard, checking the paperwork, we actually have an 8KW set up, it's 10 panels for sure 🙂 Interestingly, they are also responsible for our roof for 25yrs, there is a lot of weight up there !!
Did you say 12 Kw? That is a LOT of solar panels. Most home units here go 3 Kw max, maybe 4.
I saw a building being equipped with solar, 18 kw and it was going to fill a LOT of roof space, maybe 50 meters by 50 meters, a huge investment. 12 Kw would certainly be enough to run a regular house, even counting the 2/3 time it doesn't generate power.
So div ...[text shortened]... from the underground water supply.
Although in winter I bet that 12 Kw would go down to 6...
16 Jun 11
Originally posted by ChessPraxisI agree, and it's just not the capabilities that are at hand now. Think down the road. As you figure out new ways to use it, and as technology provides more ways to use it, I think it would evolve into quite a useful resource.
Won't that make it hard to walk? 😛
Seriously, I doubt you'd regret having solar, it's a win win situation. 😀
I sure would if I could. Good luck.
