Having seen the immediate results of the first installation and the reduction of energy we are not demanding from the national grid , we have decided to add another 2.08KWh system.
This was not an automatic option as there is a maximum 16 amps per phase and equates to a limit of 3.5kWh that can be produced on a domestic premise, and so the installers had to apply for a G83 exemption to the network providers (Suppliers of Electrical power in this area South East) which in our case is EDF. However they have approved the increase in generation, and work will go ahead shortly.
Another point of which you should be aware is that the Grant which was allowed on the first phase installation is not available for the second, A maximum grant of £2500 is available per household for any given system type in this case photovoltaic, which we have already received.
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This is a photographic mock of what the panels should look like when sited on the this roof section
It is by far the best roof for the extra panel's as it is exposed to the direct sunlight for the best part of the day.
The extra panels will be sited on the roof either side of our present solar domestic system, which is very favourably positioned facing South, South East, 14 panels going on one section of roof and the remaining two being fitted along side the first installation. The 16 extra panels in total producing a theoretical output of 2.08KWh.making our total theoretical generation 4.16KWh. It is hoped that the majority of this extra power will be exported to the national grid.
1st November 2008 This project is already under way with the scaffolding being erected ready for the installation to commence on Monday the 3rd of November.
The scaffolding company
Gemini Riteway, Lewis, Sussex Depot, have done a great job in ensuring the the slates on the overhang of the balcony are protected by the position of the scaffold and boards precisely as I requested.
This section of the roof was damaged by the Company installing the Solar Domestic Hot water system, because they had not used scaffolding as promised.
It was also initially rejected for the first phase, Photovoltaic system because of the difficulty of access and the fact that it would not cater for all 16 panels forming the 2.08KWh system, the surplus two panels as mentioned above will be fitted along side the panels on the other roof.
In this instance we anticipate the all of the energy produced will be exported to the national grid, along with the unused energy from the first installation (1st installation.)
November 3rd 0750 and the team are on site and getting organised, it's a cold and blustery day as well as threatening rain so the work on the roof is quickly underway.
As Well as a lot of unseen work in the loft area, the securing bolts and brackets have been fitted and the supporting framework mounted ready for the panels.
The rain has just about held off although we have had a few spots and having completed all the preparatory work the first of the new panels was fitted.
The team of two men worked continuously almost without stopping for the whole of the first day and in to the early afternoon of the second day.
The end product and workmanship being up to the standard of the first installation.
The installations director adjusted and organised the existing and new equipment to keep the costs down and to get the best from the two installations.
This was mainly due to the two extra panels being added to the earlier system which then required a higher rated Inverter this action was required because there was insufficient space for 16 panels on the roof employed for the second installation.
This higher rated inverter still required the separate D.C. isolator
This raises a point about planning.
If you intend or are even considering solar Domestic hot water system or/and a photovoltaic systems consider where best to site the one to avoid causing problems to the other!
I make this point purely on the basis that at the time we purchased Solar Domestic Hot water system we had not considered having photovoltaic.
As a result the solar thermal Domestic then caused the installers more work when it came to install the 2nd phase of photovoltaic, albeit we are very pleased with the way it has worked out and feel that it is as neat as it could possibly look. Certainly more functional than satellite dishes all over buildings.
As our first image on this page shows we did know what it would look like, by transposing panels from the first phase onto the second roof using the computer.
Compare the two images and you will see very little difference.
The two systems marry in very well with the colour of the slate and we are pleased with the way it looks.
Albeit we are suffering the dullest of weather in the South of England at present 4,5,6,/11/08
and so we have not as yet seen the benefits of the combined systems.
Even when the external work was done , work of course continued in the property. The 2nd inverter which was replaced by the new higher rated inverter was now used on the new installation.
It is interesting to not that in this case the separate D.C. isolator was not required, isolation being achieved by using the isolator/switch on the inverter itself.
The inverter was fitted as close to the system panels as possible to reduce the loss of power through the cable runs.
The isolation of the above inverter is now carried out by removing the contact breaker which locates at the bottom of the unit.
When replacing, the central plug is aligned with the plug and pushed firmly home until fully housed.
An additional Total generation meter was installed along with another A.C. isolator switch being connected to the new consumer unit fitted with the first phase one installation.
The reason for what appears to be a doubling up of equipment is due to the fact that the two roof areas are exposed to the sun for different periods of the day, as an instance the roof area on which phase 1. was located on the 30th of July 2008 was exposed to sunlight from 0745 until 1645hrs. and then remained in shade for the rest of the day light hours,
The roof area on which phase 2. has been located was exposed almost entirely from 1015 -until 1800hrs.with total shade of both roof areas by 1930hrs
Therefore if the two systems phase 1 & 2 had been connected up to the same inverter the total generation of the combined systems would have been reduced as a result of one being in shade at a different time period to the other and cable runs from the solar panels would have been much longer resulting in power loss.
The times and various roof exposure to direct sunlight was undertaken on the 30/07/08 in anticipation of the solar photovoltaic being purchased.
(The longest day in the year 2008 was the 21st June. which is relevant when making your calculations and roof exposure to sunlight.)
This 2nd installation will attract ROC's (see page 1)which will be managed by Southern Energy.
Update, Both systems will be transferred to the FITs scheme as of the 1.4.2010
New consumer unit sensitivity I mentioned earlier that as part of the installation we had to have a New Consumer unit. Although this is required to be fitted as part of the upgrade to the electrics, there are disadvantages.
We have found that the breakers (Electrical Contacts/switches ) in the system are so sensitive that even a light bulb blowing (element breaking/burning out) can cause the LCD breaker to trip thereby cutting the power off, which is by no means convenient.
The system is working correctly, but as consumer units are usually in dark cupboards or dark corners you do as the householder need a lamp handy and also need to be familiar with your New Consumer Unit, and layout, if you are going to be able to trip the relevant breakers back to recover lighting/power.
I was also found that not only the lighting-circuit breaker had opened, cutting off power to the lighting circuit but the main breaker had also opened/breaking all power to the building.
If this is in day light hours then you may have to turn OFF the inverter switch's (Red breakers switch near consumer unit) before you attempt to re-make (Turn On) the consumer units breakers.
Having established a connection by tripping the open breakers to the closed/ON position, only then turn the Inverter (red switch )back to the ON position.
Where you have more than one inverter, Undertake this procedure so as to allow allow each inverter to fully start up (allow 2 minutes) before turning on the next and so on. This reduces the loading on the consumer unit and the breakers will remain closed, thereby allowing all electrical circuits to remain closed and therefore
live.
This photo shows our meter box and contents which is sited outside the building.
I'm please to be able to add that any surplus energy our systems now generate will be metered by the Export meter fitted by EDF on the 30th of October 2008.
As can be seen there are two meters old style, one being used for measuring/recording the exported energy to the national grid and the other for recording the imported energy (from the grid)
The small white box with white cable is the electronic transmitter for
the
'Eco-Eye' electricity monitors shown on the previous page, note the clamp which is easily clipped to the live feed coming into the property, it is this that communicates the information the the portable monitor within the building.
So what's all this cost I was asked what this had all cost, I won't disclose the figures, but simply add that if our investment will help make the World a cleaner place for our Grand Children and their children, then it has been worth every penny.
We have enjoyed our lives and continue to do so, our aim now is to try and help conserve what is left of the Worlds resources and we hope that many of you with follow us and help make this World a greener place for those that follow.
I would like to thank the team who have done a superb job, and although their work is guaranteed for 3 years I don't anticipate having to call on them. The panels on the other hand are guaranteed for twenty years, all I need to do now is find out if the warrantee is transferable, as I doubt if I will be here in the year 2028 as I would be 97, coming ninety eight. Of course I can but hope!
Thank you for reading these pages and I hope it has helped you understand the photovoltaic system and requirements and if you were considering an installation that it has swung your decision in favour of green energy.
Just before I log off this page.
the photovoltaic systems mentioned on the two pages have now generated just under 300KWh of energy, this is enough power to light 3000 100 watt light bulbs for one hour and even more if low energy bulbs are used. I think you would agree that is a lot of power, so just how many of Blackpool's light bulbs are powered by green energy
? For the year 2008 the following facts are available:-
1. Electricity consumed totals 960,000 units(KWh) at an approximate cost of £50,000.)
2. There are an amazing one million lamps in various types and styles.
3.There are more than 5,000 floodlights and spotlights.
How many of these are lit by photovoltaic energy? (Green Energy) After all they are in a much better financial position than we are to install the necessary equipment and they don't now need planning consent to do it.
A question we should perhaps ask ourselves before jumping in our fuel hungry cars to go and see the pretty lights!
In the year 2008 it's expected that the army of visitors will spend more than £275 million while visiting the resort during the Lights. so where is all the money going if not into green energy?
What a challenge for the City Council/Management of Blackpool to set an example and power all these lights by solar photovoltaic energy or green energy, wind power, before the year 2012., This would demonstrate to the expected visitors that this country is serious about green energy. Figures taken from :-www.blackpool-illuminations.net/
Management of 'Imported Energy' Electricity Bills.
Tariffs for the provision of electricity are varied and complex and to get the best for your money you need to discuss this in depth with your provider as of the 1/4/10 you do not need to use the same company for the provision of and selling of your generated power.
If your system is post 15/07/10 then the figures are pre-set and will be the same for all energy companies.
However the energy act 2008 secondary legislation makes provision for generators to sell their surplus energy on the open market, this in effect means that you MAY be able to get more than the 3p offered under FITs for your exported energy.
However if you intend doing this you will require an Export meter which does not form part of your PV system. Installing such a meter may be costly and can normally only be undertaken by the network provider for your area. In our case EDF. Your supplier of energy will be able to tell you who the network provider for your area is is, this varies for different parts of the Country.
Although the price for exported KWh of energy is set at 3p at present and several Companies are sticking to that min price it is hoped that in the future this open market price will increase, so although you will need to register your PV system with OFGEM don't be in too much of a rush as the export figure may increase.
If on the other hand you haven't got an export meter then you will be paid for the energy recorded on your TGM once you are registered for the FITs scheme.
This fiance comes from the energy Companies themselves and is not sponsored in anyway by the Government although they would like you to believe it is.
We are on an Economy 7 tariff, we do not have gas and therefore prior to fitting solar thermal water heating all our hot water was heated by emersion heater in the winter which is 3KW per hour used, or partially heated by our solid fuel boiler.
However despite installing a larger more efficient boiler it's been so cold the last two winters 2008/9 9/10 that we have used the boiler for heating the radiators alone which has kept the property at an even temperature, but as a result we have had to supplement the solar thermal to get adequate supplies of hot water for domestic needs by using the emersion heater for short periods.
I have just looked hard at the tariffs paid for Imported Electricity by my provider Southern Electric, a wise choice?
One thing that came to light was that this was only a wise move if your demand in the off peak E7 Periods exceeded 1/5th of your total demand for the 24 hour period.
this was because you pay more for your units (KWh ) of electricity used during the peak hours than you would if you were on a standard Domestic tariff
The E7 rates apply to the 24 hour clock GMT as follows :-
2231-0030 Night rate
0031-0230 Day rate
0231-0730 Night rate
0731-2230 Day rate
You will need to avoid the 1 hour adjustment for British Summer Time
If you have the old style meters as shown in my photographs then don't alter your time clocks, they will remain an hour out of line with BST and you will still get the low night rate for running appliances such as washing machines etc.
Please note that the above rates are shortly to be reduced:-
First 250 KWh per quarter Normal rate E7 = 19.00p, there after KWh 13.00p
Night rate KWh = 5.33p these prices are ex Vat. These rates will vary for your post code Different network providers charging different rates for the distribution of power, so check the rates for your area (Post code)with your provider to get the latest figures.
So Economy seven is
Seven hours at low rate (night Rate )tariff but isn't as straight forward as many of us may think. With the result than when setting up time clocks, so as to benefit for the E7 (low rate) we need to make sure the time clocks are set so as the avoid the Normal (day time) tariff, which for some reason suddenly appears in the early hours of the morning.
one of the alternatives to E7 is the domestic rates although again you need to discuss this with your provider and there are all sorts of discounts, reading your own meter , direct debits and so on. so do your home work to get the best for your cash.
Domestic tariff,Southern Electric (GO DIRECT 3)
First 1000(KWh) Per year 15.88 remaining units,Day 10.88p & Night 4.43p 24/7
So if you have or are thinking about fitting solar energy you need to take these details into account .
For instance in the summer months our demand on the national grid will be minimal, as the solar will kick in during the day light hours, our night demand will continue from the grid as solar photovoltaic and solar hot water will not generate power or produce hot water at night.
Wind energy, that's different again but we are not involved with that at present.
So you need to calculate carefully when working these figures out if you are not going to pay more for you power than you need.
I am currently taking daily readings of the meters installed on our systems and that should form at the end of the year a good estimate of our energy demands be it day or night. See
The next page
Currently our night time demand is about 40 per cent of our total demand from the grid, I'm certain this figure will increase as we approach the longer & warmer days of spring and summer when the photovoltaic systems will perform for longer hours and the water in our storage tank reaches higher temperatures each day.
And now the good news.21/03/09
We have received a letter today telling us that SE, Southern Electric are as of the 1/4/09 going to be paying 28.0p Per KWh, that a
40% increase on what we were getting so it looks as though the installation over the period of twelve months will now clear our annual expenditure for electrical power, which is very good news, although airing on the cautious side it is still depend on the summer we get, I will continue with the daily records on page three and will give you my final conclusions at the end of the twelve month period.
At present things are looking good the systems have generated a 137KWh over the last 7 days.
And the even better news 25/03/09 Prices for imported KWh are being reduced see above.
And yet another interesting point of which I wasn't aware until this week 10/08/09
In the photograph above I showed you the two meters provided by Southern Electric as part of their contract, which were fitted by EDF the network provided for the South Coast area in which we live.
Ever since taking the readings I have only read the (
Normal)meter believing on the basis of what i was told by EDF that it was that part of the export meter that would record all power that we were sending back to the national grid.
However this week just by chance I happened to read the (
Low)export figures shown, only to find that it has recorded 68KWh of power which has been recorded as being sent to the grid since installation
When you think about this, it's logical that if the meter is connected correctly it will record power sent to the grid during the two different periods allocated
Normal and
Low which is appropriate for early morning in the summer months.
Over the winter period the Normal E7 period commenced at 0730 when in fact it doesn't get light until after that time so little or no surplus power will be recorded, however when the clocks alter to British summer time and the days lengthen Normal E7 period is extended to 0830, so any sunlight/daylight will be powering you solar panels and surplus energy will be sent to the grid.
Now here is the best bit, How can you get the best from your investment?
I have been putting the Domestic appliances, dish washer and washing machines to come on during the early hours so as to benefit from the E7 rates, that's Ok in the winter. BUT in the summer you need to set them to come on in the
low E7 period and complete their cycle before sunrise which could be as early as 0500
I was surprised to see that during the
Low E7 period since changing to British summer time our systems have generated 68KWh, So careful management of your solar system and use of domestic appliances can bring rewards.
Daily Record of Exported & Imported energy
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