On Monday, February 25, 2013 10:28:21 AM UTC, Ken Cook wrote:
Hi, All,

I'm thinking seriously about installing these PV panels and am looking for

advice. I have a feeling there could be some expertise on this ng. I

estimate about 2,200 kWh per annum for Copley from available data on the

web, although the installers that I have quotes from reckon a touch more

(believe it or not!)

I hope to wire the immersion heater through them and use as much as I can

rather than export. I have until April to decide as the FIT payment is

reduced again then.

I am thinking of a 3kW system. Does anyone out there have them? Are they any

good overall or are they a con?

Any guidance much appreciated.



Copley still cold and cloudy 8cm snow lying and 1cm fresh fall this morning,

but it's melting slowly (:0)

http://www.kencook.magix.net/#Latest

My brother has 14 panels on his roof, and he showed me the generation figures for the sunny days he had at the end of May 2012.

I was surprised that even at the time of maximum solar radiation, his panels were only generating just over 2kwh. That is hardly enough to power the washing machine on a hot wash.

For much of the day the amount of electricity generated was between 1 and 1.5 kwh.

He was not too bothered, though, because he was selling to the grid.

My father has solar heated oil filled panels on his roof, which heat the water in his hot water tank. From my experience of those, when the sun shines, even on a spring or autumn day, the water gets very hot.

He tries to take advantage by using his dishwasher and washing machine when he has the 'free' hot water, but I don't know how much it saves him in electricity.

If I had the choice, I think I would plump for my fathers' hot water system, but my appliances are all cold fill, so would need to be replaced which makes it a non-starter for me.