Solar power on roofs - more viable with energy price hikes?

[DAPPH]

what are thoughts on ground mounted panels

also do the rules differ significantly?

My roof is not well suited so thinking of an alternative

Mind you the above calculator only saves me 270 a year and a loss of 200 over the life of the system?????

There are occasionally secondhand systems available .. on the likes of eBay . and social media like Facebook market place . if you test run it on the ground and find a problem it will still be likely to be a lot cheaper to rectify than buying a new system

 

[DAPPH]

Bet it will come down to the councils to police it, and with google maps that cant be to hard to do.

I think you are right , don't you need planning these days to install one and have to have a valid licence.to use it . A quick satellite pass by the likes of Google at night will surely pick up heat signatures which can be interrogated automatically by high speed computers and matched up to google maps to give an indication of who is producing a lot of chimney heat at home or in premises . They'll sell this info to councils and like as not with a bit of joined up thinking will be able to say if the premise has a wood burner licence . Then if there isn't an authorised council enforcement officer can do the rounds to check .

 

[DAPPH]

Thanks! Due to the distances involved and requirements, when I did a DiY solar installation, pure water heating wasn't an option but interesting to know they're kind of in the same ballpark.

Whilst I was working at BT I saw an enclosed 30 or so 1200 mm long earth spike copper rod set up , threaded into a copper manifold system set up on a south facing newly constructed screwed to the wall porch roof . The pipe runs to the reservoir tank in the bath room were very short as the bathroom was above the porch . I think the heat loop etc was to be filled with some non dangerous non corrosive antifreeze .

 

[DAPPH]

It is my understanding that you need planning for ground mounted.
various ways of doin* it, one is a plastic box weighted down the panel sit in at an angle, also used on flat roofs, the ither a steel frame with angled panels sat on. On farms these are often raised enough to let sheep graze below.

im national park, so need planning to just about everything, as my house was old didnt want the roof messed with so investigated ground mounted. Ended up with a new roof on our stone barns so used the viridan inbuilt ones in the end. Look far better than the clag it on with unistrut options.

A local church in Saron near Ammanford , Swansea , has them lent like grave stones against the church wall , they might be fixed to the wall with a top clip , or a hanging 15 litre plastic container of salty water . See if you can find them on Google earth .

 

[DAPPH]

Dapph, you used my post out of context. At no point did I say, or suggest, that - except for those offers of third party installs on your roof with an energy contract over a likely 25 year period. There have been so many legal problems with non-owned panels (with third party contracts) when a house sale comes around.

Would you pay as much for a house where you have no control of your roof for the next umpteen years? I wouldn’t. I would want to install my own panels and receive the benefits.

I might want to extend the roof space for an extra room and put in a couple of velox windows. Not possible if someone else owns those panels and has a legal contract for the next umpteen years.

Yes, I stick by my post - don’t consider these free installations of panels because you may well regret it in the future.

Apologies , I now see where you are coming from .
There is no way we could do the extra space & window trick , our roof has factory made tested trusses .

The guy who sold us our system explained that such legal difficulties with selling would not be present due to what his contracts said . Though we didn't do it , we also checked with several insurers as to if they would be covered under our homeowners dwellings insurance or would they need special individual insurance , they all replied , "Under the domestic policy as per the domestic policy exclusions " . Knowing insurers that may have changed .

 

[8ob]

Some panels have come up for grabs on facetube, how many of these would be needed to realistically supply or maintain a typical dwelling with our climate/weather?

The ad.

Details​

• Condition
  Used – good

ReneSola JC255M-24/Bb 255 Watt Solar Panel Module Specification: • Class A: 5 years old • Dimensions: 1640mm x 992mm x 40mm • Self-coloured aluminium frame • Poly-crystalline solar panels (72 cells) • Each panel weighs 19 Kg • Max Watts 255W +/- 5W • Max Volts 30.4 V • Max Amps 8.39 A Our discount structure for these panels is as follows: £60 each for up to 9 panels, £55 each for 10+ panels and £50 each for 20+ panels. They have a life expectancy from new of 25+years and will have decades of service left in them. Collection by prior arrangement from NR15 (8 miles South East of Norwich). For deliveries please refer to the map with delivery zones and guidance below. (Please note, we do not make any profit on the delivery and only pass on the cost for our customers convenience) • Insured Delivery Charges for Solar Panels: • Zone 1: Minimum of £50 for up to 10 panels. • Zone 2: Minimum of £80 for up to 10 panels. • Zone 3: Minimum of £120 for up to 10 panels. • London: Inside the M25: minimum of £100 for up to 10 panels. • Please note that for every additional panel over 10 there is an extra £5 charge. • For all delivery enquiries beyond Zone 3 please call for a separate quote noting that it will be £120+. • Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to deliver to the Scottish Highlands or Ireland. Suitable for many uses. Our customers are very creative and have found many uses for our quality used panels, such as: Summer House, Hot tub, Camper vans, Scientific Expedition Truck, Wild Life Hospital, Houses, Swimming Pool, Mobile Homeless Refuge, Mobile Library, Pond Pumps, Industrial Units, Workshops, Small holdings, Boats, Camping, Caravans, Schools and Churches in Africa, & Off Grid living etc. etc.. Save money & make clean green energy = WIN/WIN :0) Used solar panels fit well with sustainability credentials of Reduce, Re-use and Recycle. These panels are carbon neutral with the carbon used in their manufacture already being offset with the energy they have generated to date. All panels are tested and include cable and connectors. We have an 8 point quality assurance test we apply to every panel, assuring you that these used panels are A grade used panels. By popular demand we are now offering a cable and crimped MC4 (waterproof) connection service, top quality 4mm solar cable (< 52 Amps) is £1.50 per meter and 6mm solar cable (< 67 Amps) is £2.00 per meter with each MC4 crimped connector costing £5. Let me know in advance of collection the length of cables you require and I can prepare those for you before you collect or to be sent out with your delivery. We are also able to source most solar equipment at very competitive prices. If you have any questions’ I will do my best to help. We have lived off grid for over 13 years, I am not an expert but I will help where I can. If you are unsure about how many panels you may need for your particular project/circumstance we offer a free service to size your system correctly. For this we ill need to know your estimated power consumption (in watts) over a given period (days) Kind regards Martin Top tips: 1) Clean the panels with soap and water before putting them into service (and regularly there-after) this can increase efficiency by up-to 20%. 2) Assuming you are in the Northern Hemisphere: For the best angle all year-round it is 90 degrees minus your latitude +/- 15 degrees for optimal winter / summer angles respectively. 3) For every 5 degrees away from due South your panel will lose 1.1% efficiency.

 

[minimutly]

14 panels, plus a spare in case you break one. Get a Chinese 4 kW inverter and a mate to wire it into your cons unit. You’ll need some 10mm earth, a pair of isolators, and that’s about it. £1500 all in plus beer money?
Oops, forgot the brackets an rails...

 

[Trevorleach]

Most houses used to have 8/10 panels, but have noticed that seems to have increased over the eyars, one bottom of my road at least 30 panels.

 

[Trevorleach]

Some panels have come up for grabs on facetube, how many of these would be needed to realistically supply or maintain a typical dwelling with our climate/weather?

The ad.

Details​

• Condition
  Used – good

ReneSola JC255M-24/Bb 255 Watt Solar Panel Module Specification: • Class A: 5 years old • Dimensions: 1640mm x 992mm x 40mm • Self-coloured aluminium frame • Poly-crystalline solar panels (72 cells) • Each panel weighs 19 Kg • Max Watts 255W +/- 5W • Max Volts 30.4 V • Max Amps 8.39 A Our discount structure for these panels is as follows: £60 each for up to 9 panels, £55 each for 10+ panels and £50 each for 20+ panels. They have a life expectancy from new of 25+years and will have decades of service left in them. Collection by prior arrangement from NR15 (8 miles South East of Norwich). For deliveries please refer to the map with delivery zones and guidance below. (Please note, we do not make any profit on the delivery and only pass on the cost for our customers convenience) • Insured Delivery Charges for Solar Panels: • Zone 1: Minimum of £50 for up to 10 panels. • Zone 2: Minimum of £80 for up to 10 panels. • Zone 3: Minimum of £120 for up to 10 panels. • London: Inside the M25: minimum of £100 for up to 10 panels. • Please note that for every additional panel over 10 there is an extra £5 charge. • For all delivery enquiries beyond Zone 3 please call for a separate quote noting that it will be £120+. • Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to deliver to the Scottish Highlands or Ireland. Suitable for many uses. Our customers are very creative and have found many uses for our quality used panels, such as: Summer House, Hot tub, Camper vans, Scientific Expedition Truck, Wild Life Hospital, Houses, Swimming Pool, Mobile Homeless Refuge, Mobile Library, Pond Pumps, Industrial Units, Workshops, Small holdings, Boats, Camping, Caravans, Schools and Churches in Africa, & Off Grid living etc. etc.. Save money & make clean green energy = WIN/WIN :0) Used solar panels fit well with sustainability credentials of Reduce, Re-use and Recycle. These panels are carbon neutral with the carbon used in their manufacture already being offset with the energy they have generated to date. All panels are tested and include cable and connectors. We have an 8 point quality assurance test we apply to every panel, assuring you that these used panels are A grade used panels. By popular demand we are now offering a cable and crimped MC4 (waterproof) connection service, top quality 4mm solar cable (< 52 Amps) is £1.50 per meter and 6mm solar cable (< 67 Amps) is £2.00 per meter with each MC4 crimped connector costing £5. Let me know in advance of collection the length of cables you require and I can prepare those for you before you collect or to be sent out with your delivery. We are also able to source most solar equipment at very competitive prices. If you have any questions’ I will do my best to help. We have lived off grid for over 13 years, I am not an expert but I will help where I can. If you are unsure about how many panels you may need for your particular project/circumstance we offer a free service to size your system correctly. For this we ill need to know your estimated power consumption (in watts) over a given period (days) Kind regards Martin Top tips: 1) Clean the panels with soap and water before putting them into service (and regularly there-after) this can increase efficiency by up-to 20%. 2) Assuming you are in the Northern Hemisphere: For the best angle all year-round it is 90 degrees minus your latitude +/- 15 degrees for optimal winter / summer angles respectively. 3) For every 5 degrees away from due South your panel will lose 1.1% efficiency.

Wonder if they are ex solar farm ones? in which case 5 yrs old dont bode well!

 

[AVI_8]

Wonder if they are ex solar farm ones? in which case 5 yrs old dont bode well!

Does it matter if they were ex solar farm? Whether they’d been on someone’s roof or as part of a solar farm setup, it’s not like buying a used car and finding out the previous owner was a car rental company.
Personally I’m not sure if I’d buy older tech panels with a lower output, unless I was getting the whole setup really cheap and the panels were a standard size and could just be unbolted and replaced with new at a later date without further roof modification, because as far as the install goes, that seems to be the most expensive part.

 

[mtt.tr]

What's the deal on diy fit? When or where do you need to involve a spark?

New circuit so I can't see how you can escape getting in a spark for domestic set up.

 

[ukracer]

My install was similar ^. 7 years and a bit to break even. These days the bits for a similar system are around £2.5k, and if you use the energy to heat water (and use it of course), the payback will be similar. I had a set installed at my daughters, in the process of fitting a tank at the moment. The FIT is no more, the income is less, but crikey, £12.5k for the install was a lot of money 10 years ago.

2.5k that sounds a cheap viable option.

Sadly we have a Dormer bungalow and angled roof space is limited. Plus I don't think we face due South.

 

[8ob]

I assume this is the same seller and panels.

Solar Panels 255W used and tested Ex Solar Farm 5 years old - Delivery Available | eBay

Max Watts 255W +/- 5W. Poly-crystalline solar panels (72 cells). ReneSola JC255M-24/Bb 255 Watt Solar Panel Module. Used solar panels fit well with sustainability credentials of Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.

www.ebay.co.uk

Bob

 

[Trevorleach]

Does it matter if they were ex solar farm? Whether they’d been on someone’s roof or as part of a solar farm setup, it’s not like buying a used car and finding out the previous owner was a car rental company.
Personally I’m not sure if I’d buy older tech panels with a lower output, unless I was getting the whole setup really cheap and the panels were a standard size and could just be unbolted and replaced with new at a later date without further roof modification, because as far as the install goes, that seems to be the most expensive part.

I was more thinking they may have had the best out of the panels, ie they still work but not well enough to make their output viable, and if they aint good enough for the farm!

 

[AVI_8]

I was more thinking they may have had the best out of the panels, ie they still work but not well enough to make their output viable, and if they aint good enough for the farm!

Solar panels have no moving parts Trevor, they just sit there converting solar energy into electrical energy, just the same as if they had previously been on Joe Bloggs roof, in fact you can be sure that they’ll have been better looked after.
The reason solar farms will upgrade their panels is because technology moves on and newer panels have a greater output, so for them it makes sense to upgrade to a panel which has a 1/3 greater output for the same size panel.

 

[DAPPH]

2.5k that sounds a cheap viable option.

Sadly we have a Dormer bungalow and angled roof space is limited. Plus I don't think we face due South.

.

See where the sun is at 12. 30 hours , that's roughly south , if it's cloudy close your eyes and sense where the most light comes from. Or easiest of all use google earth or one of the other mapping sites to find you placer and north .

Use split arrays ? As so many either side of the apex on the east 7 west side or play at stacking in a pyramid ie two either side of the window, three above then two then one .sort of thing , You can also get angled brackets to put on the rails to cant the anels for maximum sun

 

[DAPPH]

I was more thinking they may have had the best out of the panels, ie they still work but not well enough to make their output viable, and if they aint good enough for the farm!

Even the early panels were considered to be good for 25years and warranteed for about 15 years .

 

[fizzy]

@fizzy I have 16 x 250W panels. Max. rated output is 4KW but I have seen the inverter putting out 4.7KW in very sunny, cooler conditions.

Perhaps they are 400W panels but state their true output?

 

[fizzy]

I was looking in to this at the weekend as I'm contemplating an electric car...

I'd need 16 x 400 W panels (Samsung something or other) feeding 2 x Tesla battery banks (3 would be better) to give me enough range to get to work and back. I calculated it would be around 6.5 year payback in diesel savings alone at today's prices.

I didn't adjust for weekends and used the average number of daylight hours in my calculations.

I think in reality the payback would be sooner given the rising price of fuel.

Imagine if you could buy diesel at 50p per litre! How long would payback be then?
Electric cars are so cheap to run because they pay no fuel duty.
That will all change soon. The government can't afford to lose that sort of money. Road charging per mile is on it's way

 

[fizzy]

Don't people realise it is because of wind and solar - and using gas to top up - that our electric is so expensive.
Meanwhile France exceeds all it's CO2 targets AND has cheap leccy - thank to abundant nuclear power.
And they don't really care what Putin does to the gas price either.