Installing Solar_cells

[peterb]

So some updates from us.

We had our system installed in 18th September 2015

We have 40*300W Panels (LG) - 12KW system on the roof and it's been interesting the data which we collate from it.

So far we have generated: Total: 1483.21 kWh

The best day we've had so far is October 2nd where we did 46kWh in one day.

October we did 575.59kWh in total.

So it's working, just can't wait for the summer.

I posted this earlier in the thread, shows the seasonal variation quite nicely!

[PorcupineTime]

Did you make that graph yourself or is it something that's provided by the, erm, provider?

[peterb]

Comes from the provider, but is the actual output of my array.

(The inverters are controlled by a separate controller that monitors their performance and transmits that back to a central location for health monitoring. This is in addition to the generation meter that provides the generation figures for the FIT)

[DR]

Some more data from ours:

[Zak33]

that's a LOT of juice

[peterb]

It's been a good day for me, probably the best this year 16.1kWh today, still generating about 350 watts as I write this.

[peterb]

Just realised its been a while since this was updated

In the quarter from December to March, I generated 315kWh, which was down 50kWh on the same period last year.

From March to June, I generated 1167kWh, as opposed to 1226 kWh in the same period last year, again about 50kWh down - worth about £8. We did seem to have fewer sunny days!

The last six weeks have generated 602 kWh, which is again down on the same period last year.

Although the cells do degrade slightly over time, it is estimated that that is about .25%, so My guess is that there has just been less sun, or perhaps a little more shading from a nearby tree.

Bottom line though is that I have used no gas at all since mid May, and my total energy bill is estimated at £480, which is less than the value of electricity I generate.

The installation is now paid for, so while there are the calculations involving the cost of invested capital, I am still pleased with the decision.

[1stRaven]

you're not wrong about the lack of sunny days. I generated 515kWh in May but only 400kWh in June. Up to 384kWh so far for July.

[peterb]

Quick update, as we have had some good weather

Solar cells still working well, and as last year, my gas central heating and water boiler was turned off in the first week of May and I anticipate no gas useage now until Sometime in September/October. That of course is weather dependent, but last year I used no gas from mid May to Mid October - 5 months.

In terms of Generation December to March 2016 was 315 kWh, a similar period this year was 289 kWh - we did have some dull days! The recent quarter was up slightly from 967kWh to 984 kWh.

I have thought about washing the cells, although the slope means a good downpour does rinse them off, so it prably isn't worth the effort (or risk) of getting a ladder out to hose them down - and I'm not venturing onto the roof to do it!

I have again looked at storage systems, as I generate more energy than I use, but some of that useage is at night when the solar cells are not generating. However, while costs have reduced slightly, the return on investment is still not good enough, and in winter when the daylight hours are reduced, I still couldn't go completely off grid.

But overall, the amount I earn from generation is still more than I spend on importing energy.

[peterb]

Just noticed that today I have generated 10Mwh since the system was installed just over 3 years ago - worth (very approximately) about £1,700. The energy savings are roughly the same (harder to estimate as I have changed suppliers) so a total effectieincome of about £3,400, which is about 10% on the investment.

[MLyons]

Just noticed that today I have generated 10Mwh since the system was installed just over 3 years ago - worth (very approximately) about £1,700. The energy savings are roughly the same (harder to estimate as I have changed suppliers) so a total effectieincome of about £3,400, which is about 10% on the investment.

Do we get any fancy graphs to go with those stats

[peterb]

Do we get any fancy graphs to go with those stats

No, not really - I can post the annual curve over three years, but it is just 3 times this! end to end!

[MLyons]

No, not really - I can post the annual curve over three years, but it is just 3 times this! end to end!

Find the spiking interesting. Any idea what causes it?

[peterb]

it isn't the spikes that are interesting, its the dips - cloudy days! Without clouds it would be pretty much a sine wave. As it is, if trace the peaks, it is almost sinusoidal - which is what you would expect.

[MLyons]

it isn't the spikes that are interesting, its the dips - cloudy days! Without clouds it would be pretty much a sine wave. As it is, if trace the peaks, it is almost sinusoidal - which is what you would expect.

It's a Monday. I momentary forgot about the British weather. I didn't think clouds would change it that much. What sort of an effect does rain have on it?

[eltel]

I'm not sure whether my solar P.V install has taken a poop today 4kw system and generated 0.6kw of energy I know its been raining and all but that generation figure is horrible.
@peterb that is one massive roof you have to be able to fit 40 panels on