Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:55:34 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18475 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18475 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 20:55:02 +0100 Victorianeco
Any grants available?
Preferred kit setup and size?
Export tariffs available?

I have little knowledge on the subject and we're a few weeks away from scaffold going up for the re-roof currently looking at cladco corrugated profiles and greencoat roofing systems but may be swayed by standard slate or tiles, but 100% confirmed either way.

But would like to start getting a few solar quotes together but looking at specs. to ensure I'll be comparing apples with apples in the quotes.

We have a cross gable roof with one elevation facing true south and the other roof section is half east and half west.

Let me know your thoughts on what the ideal setup is these days]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18455 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18455 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:22:41 +0100 marsaday
I have spoken to the installer and they are looking into my options. They can supply a new inverter I think.

I am pretty poor on understanding the electrics, so if anyone can help me out that will be appreciated.

I think my inverter has failed because I signed up to Axle energy to sell some of my surplus energy. They took control of the inverter on 7th July and I know for a fact the inverter was down from 11th July and has been ever since. I should have checked everything was ok aster the first control event by Axle energy, but I didn't.

Is it likely Axle energy have caused by inverter to die or is it coincidence ?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18462 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18462 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:49:47 +0100 tony
My intention is that it’s crazy to take down in turbines that still useful. Why not? Just put the new ones up somewhere else then we’d have both the old ones and the new ones all functioning?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18430 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18430 Fri, 08 May 2026 17:57:27 +0100 djh
I am generally aware of the 'big' batteries supplied by the likes of Tesla, Fox ESS etc

There now also seem to be much smaller products aimed at the 'balcony solar' market and I don't know anywhere near as much about them :cry: So ...

(1) are they actually legal and what regulations apply?
(2) does anybody know which ones are good and which ones to avoid?
(3) a lot are aimed at integrating with balcony solar, but I already have solar on my roof with microinverters, so I just want an AC connected battery. Does that change things?
(4) how are they controlled - which require cloud or other external connections and which can be controlled locally somehow?

I'm sure I'll think of some more questions, but that'll do for now! :bigsmile:]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15352 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15352 Wed, 18 Oct 2017 19:25:28 +0100 revor https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18352 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18352 Sun, 14 Sep 2025 19:15:10 +0100 Victorianeco
Property requires a re-roof anyway. What is best for terms of longevity? concrete tiles again or slate?

We're thinking Marley Modern's or equivalent? Any recommended brands appreciated
Slate - We don't like how fibre slates wear around the edges so would be looking at natural slates? Again - brands?

Area is approximately 150m2

What are the best mounting options for solar that blend in seamlessly? Either for concrete tiles or slate?

Roof has a South facing area and also an East and West hip. Mounting East and West would be more discrete as the South facing roof area *may* be used as a dormer at a later date. How much of a real world difference would this make?

Property will have ASHP]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18314 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18314 Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:54:28 +0100 Modelmechanix
One for the experts here.
I have sufficent south facing space for a 3-4kWh Solar PV Ground Array on my rural property. No planning issues where I live in the north of Ireland. The proposed array site is within 10m of where I intend on installing a 6kWh A2W Mono Heat Pump. I intend to use the heat pump for UFH only as I have ample DHW heat served by other means.
Essentialy for it to heat/preheat the floor screed via UFH during the day whilst PV is generating. The screed will cool overnight and charge again where PV is available the enxt day. Thats the line of thinking anyway.
The UFH has multiple input methods so where there are low PV production days or multiple poor days in a row, I can fire the wood boiler stove or boiler pellet stove to cover the heat needs.

So I am wondering, is it possible to have the solar array, via AC inverter supply the A2W heat pump without a grid connection?

As I understand it, the inverter can supply the AC but I don't fully understand if when PV generation vaies, how that would affect the A2W heat pump. Would it work at all, or short cycle? Would the compressor start up amps requirement cause an issue if the PV wasn't generating sufficent power?
I have read several other threads but none seem to discuss how it's done or controlled, maybe its a straight forward wiring connection and I'm over analysing here.

I would be very greatful for any advice or guidance, even if its a simple - it wont work matey!

Cheers fellas,
Karl]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18224 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18224 Sun, 27 Oct 2024 20:17:21 +0000 jamez654
I have an existing heating system which consists of a 16kw Woodburning Stove which provides heating and hot water via a Gledhill Torrent ECO 250 Solar thermal store. We previously also had an oil boiler connected to the thermal store to provide backup when the stove was not on. We recently removed the oil boiler and had an installer comissioned to install a ground source heat pump, I explained at the start that I wanted to keep the stove and use the heat pump to as backup similar to the oil boiler previously. The installer said this was fine and proceed to install the heat pump.

However when it came to connecting into our existing system, the problems started. Only at this point did they realise that our system was open vented (which should have come as no suprise with a wood burning stove connected to it). Our heat pump is Valiant flexoTherm 11kW and it can apparantly only be connected to a pressurised system, I think it has a pressure switch which cuts out at 1 bar. Our installer proposed connecting the heatpump to the unused solar coil in the thermal store which would allow the water in there to be pressurised. I did ask if the coil was big enough and they said it was.

The installer then struggled to work out how to wire the controls for this system to switch between the wood burner and heat pump, so I got my own electrication to wire it. The controls work fine, when there is demand for heat and the thermal store is not hot enough from the wood burner a circulation pump activates to circulate water from the heat pump buffer tank through the solar coil to heat the thermal store. The flow and return get warm as expected but the water in thermal store barely rises in temperature even over a few hours.

I now realise that the solar coil (surface area 0.34m2) is nowhere near big enough for this purpose and a different solution is required. I'd like to know what the best solution is before I go back to my installer. I think there are a couple of options but am keen to know if there are others I'm not aware of:
1. somehow adjust or trick the heat pump to operating at a lower pressure than 1bar and connect the buffer tank directly to the thermal store via the disused boiler flow and return.
2. use a plate heat exchanger to connect the buffer tank either to the thermal store boiler flow and return or directly into the pipwork running from the thermal store to the radiators and UFH manifold.

Any input or experience welcomed, particularly about sizing a plate heat exchanger for this purpose.

James]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18178 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18178 Thu, 22 Aug 2024 13:19:53 +0100 djh
https://www.coatingsworld.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2024-08-19/solar-energy-breakthrough-could-reduce-need-for-solar-farms/

e.g.

"This ultra-thin material, using this so-called multi-junction approach, has now been independently certified to deliver over 27% energy efficiency"

"At just over one micron thick, it is almost 150 times thinner than a silicon wafer. Unlike existing photovoltaics, generally applied to silicon panels, this can be applied to almost any surface."

I've no idea what the implications are.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=660 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=660 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:33:56 +0100 edwinvanek My preferde boiler would be the Austrian ETA boiler which I have seen in operationa t various locations in Germany, but the boiler itself without heat store and other component, flue and installation is close to 6K, which is too much. The middle way would be a Baxi Solo Inova. Does anybody have any experience with Vigas and Atmos boilers, which are the most economically priced boilers. The pros are: renewable ennergy, affordable fuel the cons are: costly, not as instantly controlable as oil and gas, bulky and expensive to install.

Before finally making my mind up I was wondering weather anybody who has already installe a log gasification boiler would be willing to share their experiences and or frustrations?

Edwin]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18111 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18111 Mon, 25 Mar 2024 16:33:43 +0000 Doubting_Thomas
The results are over 50% lower than previous estimates, and should mean that concerns over increased peak load due to electrical heating may be unfounded. In other words it should be easier to transition away from gas for domestic space heating.

https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042%2823%2902316-7]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18083 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18083 Wed, 07 Feb 2024 16:10:20 +0000 Jamster
Am thinking about battery storage options to partner with our existing PV & ASHP but am also looking at electric car options in the medium term. However, my elderly car is on its last legs potentially so I am wondering if its the right time to combine the two.

From what I understand, a bi-directional charger and a car with V2H (vehicle to home) 'technology' should be able to function in the same way as a more conventional home battery setup and I could use the EV as my home battery essentially and still leaving enough charge for the shorter trips that are the majority of my usage?

From reading around though, bi-directional chargers are perhaps not quite 'there yet' and V2H enabled cars are limited too. I've not found anything conclusive online yet, in particular around the V2H functionality. Has anyone gone down this route yet - my thinking is a 2nd hand EV is going to be a better price per kW than any domestic battery?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16105 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16105 Sat, 20 Apr 2019 21:32:13 +0100 philedge https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18011 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18011 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 07:37:52 +0000 richy https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18004 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18004 Sat, 21 Oct 2023 09:10:17 +0100 bogal2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17999 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17999 Wed, 18 Oct 2023 19:52:40 +0100 LouiseSJPP As it turns out, things are not that straightforward. The electricity in the state we live in, Navarra, is 100% renewable. The price is stupendously low: 4c per kw/hr. There is no home-generation buy-back: you can offset your own consumption to some extent, but no more. This means there is neither an economic case to be made for a solar installation nor an ecological one.
What we do have instead is a practical case. We have a 25amp mains supply, and to upgrade it would be very expensive. It's also unreliable, subject to failure in wind and rain, and sometimes for long periods, living in the wilds as we do. We remain interested in an almost offgrid installation.
However, we have many friends who all tell us how disappointed they are with their shiny new solar installations, falling far short of expectation. I don't want to make a big investment to be similarly disillusioned.
I'm wondering if there's a way to get a small installation up this winter in order to minitor performance before launching on a bigger project. The problems I see with this are the amount of kit which will either need to be bought 'full-size' in the full size in the first place, and maybe issues with measuring output in a meaningful way. Will the system have to have full load all the time in order to produce all it can, in order to measure it. How would this be done? Or can it all be modular so that putting in one panel this winter can be the start of a system which can have more panels added later? Maybe with micro-invertors, it's possible.
Have you any thoughts, advice or experience you can share?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17944 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17944 Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:11:34 +0100 tychwarel https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17898 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17898 Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:58:06 +0100 CJT
My 2nd option is to take my grid power from my own building which has a separate supply, I could do this via a meter as again a 3rd party pays for the incoming supply as i lease that too. Doing this would mean me installing pv on the new build. Not being the incoming customer that takes the option off being grid tied away. In my research this also takes any option of E7 or night rate away as i haven't been able to find that type of meter for me to buy that recognises it. So if i was using cheap electric i would be compensating my tenant normal rate for it.

This leads me to think if non of the above are options i should look at going off grid. Our present 400 year old 4 bed draughty house (2 gas boilers, ufh, all led lighting, gas hob, electric oven) averages out at £175pm so we are not big energy users. Taking this to the new build 0.13 (W/m2k) should reduce that cost but i am worried if i install ASHP it may increase. Hence solar.

In the bigger picture i realise to spend money on insulation is the start, but how much is enough ? 142mm kingspan TEK plus 50mm kingspan inside ?? Saps survey in progress. Its all about making the right (informed) decisions.

Many thanks.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17871 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17871 Fri, 16 Jun 2023 13:02:39 +0100 owlman https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17751 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17751 Thu, 23 Feb 2023 11:00:16 +0000 gustyturbine I've not been here for a long time for various reasons but since I've finished my first self-build I'm now doing another self-build!!
I aim to do things slightly differently this time. Last time I went as far as the budget would allow with insulation etc and a GSHP. It's done well but these days electricity isn't cheap as we know.

I'm in Wales.
I want to install solar PV with micro-inverters. From what I can gather the panels are fairly similar efficiency wise when cost is taken into account. The weakest link is the inverter. That's my micro-inverter thinking so if one fails it doesn't knock the whole system off. So, roof or ground mount? I have land available for ground mount. I think that without PP I'm limited to 3Mx3M so that's too small. I was aiming for 10kWish as we also have an EV. I'm also thinking of battery storage to cover the evenings following charge during the day.
I'm on the coast with 3 acres so I'm thinking my COP on an ASHP might be better than a GSHP considering the milder climate on the coast. It's also cheaper but the ASHP unit may corrode in time due to the salty atmosphere. I'm probably 1/2 mile to the beach.
So many questions. UK climate, triple glazing or double. I'm fitting MVHR. Good window companies that aren't too expensive? UK based?
Many thanks all.
It's good to be back :bigsmile:]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17756 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17756 Sat, 25 Feb 2023 12:29:54 +0000 zak99
With an ancient Oil Boiler we were hoping for help with GSHP but we ended up with rad valves, and Solar Thermal.

We were supposed to get new LED bulbs too but that never happened despite asking.

My main issue is to get the Solar Thermal job finished either with or without them

My other observations are

I wish the surveyor had Specced the panel on the lower South facing garage roof seen in the picture.
In its current East position the panel should surely have been higher than where it is now
Should the display panel be downstairs in the airing cupboard

They have arrived late in the day for just about every visit and there have been many visits however all the contractors have been polite and pleasant and had far to travel though. There have been several no shows without any contact. Communication of arrival times, no shows, rebooking has been very poor by the office. I’m in limbo at the moment as they are just not getting back to me with an agreeable rebooking for the electrician who didn’t show. He needed a 20 core cable I believe.

I felt the panel looked high above the tiles compared to the thinner PV panels so asked for bird mesh to blend it in but was quoted £380 + vat for just one panel so declined.

The panel was installed without scaffolding from ladders on a frosty day which is perhaps why he never put the panel at the top.

One day when the plumbers were here a manager unexpectedly waltzed through my front door without saying hello or introducing himself as if I didn’t exist. After a chat with a plumber the manager dragged out the ancient copper cylinder and started putting in in his car. I asked the plumbers do you get the money for that, no not a penny. So I politely took it back from the guy who grumpily argued with me that it was not mine. I gave the plumbers the expected cash for the cylinder as that’s the way I am, the workers deserve the bonus. I guess I pissed them off !!

So where do I go now please? Whats your thoughts please?

I hope you can see the photos in this link, they are bigger if clicked on

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0T532ODWJlHmS

(if theres a better way to add pics pls let me know)

Rgds]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17809 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17809 Sat, 08 Apr 2023 11:53:48 +0100 tychwarel I have just found out that the G98 registration was not done and the installer is no longer trading.
I have found the partially filled in forms, however since the installation WPD our local network provider have become part of National Grid.
I cannot find how to do a G98 registration on their new website.
Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17767 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17767 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 12:49:54 +0000 geoff_forwood
So, with a spare south facing roof that can hold around 4-6kWH of solar PV, I would like to replace the turbine with PV and feed into the same inverter. Both produce DC electricity.

The output from the turbine starts producing electricity from a nominal voltage of 270V up to a maximum of 600V, I understand. The solar PV panels I have looked at are rated at around 400W and generate up to 38V. So if I were to install 15 of these panels in series then my understanding is that they would produce a maximum of 6KW at 570V (I am not an electrician but studied A level physics many years ago and asked my friendly electrician (who does not install solar PV) and he believes my logic is correct).

The only other main doubt I have would be regarding the output curve of each generator (which I can't seem to find for any specific products) - i.e. the shape of a graph showing wind speed/brightness(lumens?) on the x-axis and voltage output on the y-axis and the way the inverter (SMA 6.3KW Windy Boy) might be optimised to the output of the wind turbine. If those graphs for the turbine and the PV are similar in shape then I see no issue of replacing the feed into the inverter to the PV (or even if the PV graph is steeper (i.e. higher voltage generated at lower light levels than the proportional level of wind speed that the turbine would require).

At this stage I don't want to install batteries but would like to consider adding some later once we work out how much more we could save.

I also don't know who could carry out this installation - my understanding is that the glut of solar PV installers want to fit a complete package including the inverter rather than just a partial install like this.

Any help or advice gratefully received.

And if I find a suitable solution does anyone want to buy my old wind turbine?

Thanks,

Geoff]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17606 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17606 Sun, 16 Oct 2022 10:15:17 +0100 smudger
So who is left standing after 10 years of turmoil in the sector? Google just throwing up lots of old links.

Probably thinking about 5/6kw (previous 6kw).

Thanks]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17673 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17673 Tue, 20 Dec 2022 20:00:40 +0000 Elliot.ponder
Looking for some help with an IDM terra 26s heat pump.

It’s not kicking in at its minimum temperature and needs switched off and then back on (sometimes several times) to get the heat pump to fire away. Does anyone know of this problem?

It has a strange electrical fault. IDM won’t reply to any emails and struggling to find someone with knowledge of these pumps.

Elliot]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17653 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17653 Tue, 29 Nov 2022 11:28:32 +0000 Noodle
We have a trusty (or very temperamental) pellet boiler that serves our house and a converted barn used as a holiday let. Its connected to a big 2000l buffer tank.
As its not hugely reliable after 7 years, and no very slow/ expensive service from EU suppliers these days.. we have finally installed a "backup" oil boiler that can be switched on linked to the buffer tank with the biomass switched off.

Now coming to order my 5Tonnnes of blown pellets @ £550!!!per T it works out that oil is about 20% cheaper.

My main question is if I hand over to the oil system boiler for winter, should I really bypass the buffer tank altogether so I don't waste a loads of energy heating up the buffer tank? We get thro0ugh 15Tonnes pellets a yr for a 5 bed house + 3 bed holiday let..im starting to think the system isn't working very efficiently as that equals about 8000L of oil a year..

Any thoughts appreciated.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17626 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17626 Mon, 31 Oct 2022 13:10:41 +0000 Peter_in_Hungary how far up the grid will problems be seen - from the consumer to the first transformer or further back all the way to the power station?
What is the upgrade(s) typically needed to enable feed-in?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17622 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17622 Fri, 28 Oct 2022 13:31:22 +0100 philedge
Heres how I see the reverse seems a more likely scenario.

Panels are the same
Panel mounting rails and clamps are the same
Commercial farms need structural support frames and likely concrete foundations. Domestic install uses existing roof
Commercial farms need service roads. Domestic install uses existing driveway
Commercial farms need new electrical infrastructure for grid connection. Domestic install uses existing grid connection
Commercial farms use bigger inverters with more panels connected per inverter. Domestic install uses fewer panels per inverter.

It seems to me that the only time a domestic system may have more embodied carbon is in the lower panel to inverter ratio. In all other aspects the commercial farm has the same or significantly more embodied carbon than a domestic system.

Am I missing something?.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17590 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17590 Sat, 01 Oct 2022 10:19:25 +0100 XT600 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17321 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17321 Sat, 11 Dec 2021 18:20:46 +0000 RobinB 4.8kw LUX AC Battery storage system
• LUX AC Unit
• 2x 2.4kw Uhome Batteries


second option being Powervault whose prices have annoyingly just vanished from their website.

and what else should we consider?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17526 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17526 Sat, 23 Jul 2022 07:27:41 +0100 jhsigma https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17400 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17400 Thu, 24 Feb 2022 12:14:36 +0000 jhsigma Requirements for 18 panel system with Battery storage (awaiting permission applied for)
18 solar panels ground mounted 35 deg south facing no shade
String inverters or optimisers ?
Invertor
Controller sending power to
1. Power to Zappi car charger
2. Then to Immersion in heating accumulator
3 . Then to a battery pack (size ?)
And if there is any left to the grid or maybe not
I would also like an isolator to allow me to use my EV to power the house during power cuts .
Is it possible ? will it work]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17448 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17448 Fri, 15 Apr 2022 12:37:17 +0100 minisaurus
The concept is mostly promoted by "humidity" companies that sell e.g. de-humidifiers. I've seen no references to evidence to back up the theory, and am interested in the opinions and experiences of the good folk on this forum :)

My roof is a typical two sides rising to a "point", with the insulation lying flat over the ceiling and ventilation via the eaves, and even a few holes at the higher places under the tiles.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17416 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17416 Sat, 12 Mar 2022 22:18:58 +0000 jhsigma https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17243 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17243 Thu, 21 Oct 2021 18:38:08 +0100 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17407 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17407 Sun, 06 Mar 2022 18:13:18 +0000 minisaurus
Our house is 11 degrees 58 minutes north; our roof is a typical pointed affair, approx 30 degrees angle, approx 80 m2 roof space. One house gable points due north, the other due south, meaning we get full sun on the east facing roof in the morning, and sun on the west facing roof later in the day. We get no sun after approx 3 pm winter, 6 pm summer due to nearby trees.

We apparently get 1700 - 1800 hours of sunshine per year.

Apparently we should be able to fit approx 40 no. 400 W panels on our roof.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17390 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17390 Sun, 13 Feb 2022 22:45:59 +0000 Lord Lucan
I'm just looking for a bit of advice on setting up the parameters in the "System control and power limitation section"

This question also probably applies to the Sunnyboy 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 & 6.0 as the software seems to be the same.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17389 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17389 Sun, 13 Feb 2022 10:18:19 +0000 jhsigma I am told I cant feed into grid from my new solar array without a smart meter which I cant have because we have no DCC signal, also cant have offpeak as they no longer fit Economy 7 meters which is a problem as I have just got a battery car, anyone throw any light on this ?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17356 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17356 Sun, 16 Jan 2022 15:25:51 +0000 zak99
Have gone for a local authority group buy scheme on solar and now wishing I'd had time to investigate more about it. At a rough level have we gone for enough panels and battery please? It's a 3 bed detached bungalow currently on oil central heating. Roughly half panels on east no shading, other half west facing with some tree shading hence i went for optimisers. There is a small south facing roof on the garage that I wonder should I have had some panels on. Theres also a south steepish sloping corrugated roof on workshop at end of the garden but planner didn't seem interested on putting panels there. Two of us retired living there. Bound to get an EV at some point in the near future. Not at all sure about changing to heat pump in the forseeable future.

(EDIT. DC optimisers on every panel add roughly £700 to below.)

May be too late to ask for changes now but at least worth enquiring if though necessary.

Thank you]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16775 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16775 Sun, 01 Nov 2020 15:46:04 +0000 revor https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17280 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17280 Thu, 11 Nov 2021 14:41:22 +0000 Brian Faux Two depth sensors (on ebay about £30 each) that give out a 4 - 20mA output signal: compare depths and if different by a couple of cm then turn a relay on, turn relay off when depths synchronise again.
It`s 20 years since I did any programming (in VB) so looking for someone to help so I can avoid steep learning curve for one project.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17277 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17277 Tue, 09 Nov 2021 19:21:32 +0000 Newbuild
I want someone who can quote and install a system that's designed for quality, co2 savings and future uses (V2G) rather than price and don't really mind too much about the pay off time.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17188 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17188 Fri, 10 Sep 2021 19:09:38 +0100 smudger
(What’s also off outing is seeing the number of posts offering removed systems)]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17240 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17240 Mon, 18 Oct 2021 18:45:38 +0100 revor
â–º Refrigerant emissions add 20% to a UK air-source heat pump's carbon footprint. â–º This contribution is so far ignored by regulations. â–º UK heat pump footprints are comparable to those of gaseous fuels.

It is an an abstract from here.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301421510008906

To read the full paper you need to pay to see or be a member of an institution. (Presumably an academic one)]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17219 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17219 Fri, 01 Oct 2021 18:53:39 +0100 revor https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17049 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17049 Sun, 02 May 2021 13:44:44 +0100 jms452
We have 4kWp solar from 2012 on FiT that is mostly west facing so I was considering outgoing agile to take advantage of the higher unit rate from 16:00 to 17:00.

Has anyone successfully cancelled there FiT deemed export and moved this to metered SEG while keeping their FiT generator payment?

By my reading it looks like you can keep the FiT generator payment and get real export numbers (at a higher rate) under SEG. That said I want to be really sure and not accidentally cancel my FiT generator payment!

https://octopus.energy/blog/outgoing/

thanks all]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17136 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17136 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 16:13:29 +0100 revor
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/08/02/fire-at-australian-big-battery/
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/tesla-battery-megapack-fire-musk-b1895438.html]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16887 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16887 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 19:16:56 +0000 williamd The previous owner had fitted solar PV panels with eligibility for feed in tariff commencing in May 2013.
My relative intends to build on an extension and wonders whether fitting further solar PV panels to this extension would be worthwhile financially. I assume that FIT will not apply to the new panels so is there any alternative subsidy available and how will this work in practical terms as it would presumably make sense if the existing panels are to remain on FIT.
Thank you for your guidance...]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17094 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17094 Mon, 14 Jun 2021 13:01:53 +0100 quinnj3
I've an interesting project to get stuck into and I'm currently looking at the most financially feasible solution. My background is a time served electrician plus 15 odd years in the design, manufacture and implementation of control systems so technically I can design and implement this system without issue. I have a local solar panel company willing to review, test and sign off on my implementation if necessary.

My plan is to have solar panels mounted to my garage roof which is facing south with a 15° pitch. I want to push down my current electric bill as much as is reasonable and need to strike a balance between 'Green energy' and cost savings. I was given a used set of 3kW Polycrystalline solar panels without mounting rails or inverter. I also have a Victron Multiplus II 3000VA power management unit.

What I would like to achieve is solar panel power stored in a battery system (approx 10-15kWh Lithium) for use as required as, like most people, our home is quiet through the day. I would configure the system for zero export / import and use the Multiplus to manage that. The multiplus will monitor consumption from the grid and use the energy in the batteries to balance that out to zero import or maximum output of unit. I am considering setting up an economy 7 tariff which if the batteries are below 50% at 1am will charge the batteries to 80% netting me half price electric when solar can't match my demand. Above 80% I would switch on a 1.5kW heating element to create domestic hot water.

As I already own some of the big ticket items I need to decide on the next options:
1) Use Victron MPPT chargers to take the solar energy to charge the batteries directly. The multiplus always draws from the batteries to reduce grid import.
2) Use a grid tied Solar panel inverter which will output when the solar panels are active. The Multiplus will take the excess energy not used by the dwelling and store in batteries.

My current consumption averages to 14kWh / day. My bill is approx £800 / year. My basic research into this estimates I could drive my bill down to approx £250 / year. As I can do all work by myself labour is minimal. Both options will cost approx. £4000 - £5000 to implement (mostly batteries and mounting rails). I'm located in sunny Northern Ireland so I'm a little pessimistic about my calculations. I know if I was purchasing all new equipment then at £8k+ it's not financially feasible.

My question is:- From people's experience is it realistic to expect these kind of savings from this system? If not what would be required to achieve the desired performance?

Any input or comments appreciated.

Jonathan]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17083 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17083 Sun, 06 Jun 2021 00:30:21 +0100 Jamster
We have a v small farm / large smallholding and it features a mobile phone mast. This is at the end of its lease and we're into the early stages of being railroaded into a new one. If you're not familiar with this, there is a new 'code' which reduces a) landowners choice in having a mast and b) what the telecoms infrastructure companies offer landowners for rent, etc. So, for now lets ignore the rights and wrongs - this is just background.

Some of the settlement options proposed are a lump sum rather than yearly rent; a disadvantage of this is that its taxable (fair enough) as a business profit if we can't invest it / spend it.

As well as the usual farm money pit options, I've looked at using a lump sum as an investment in renewables on our land. We've a good steady wind, but planning would likely be a pain and would eat up a chunk of our investment pot. So I've thought more about PV - we have south-facing domestic panels so have generation data since April 2018. Planning is likely to be simple if not permitted development, we have a three-phase supply and land that would get an unobstructed level of any sun. Panels would be ground mounted.

I want to model a few scenarios and wanted to seek your input on what options to think about. Overall investment pot could to be 20k to 30k including some top up from other funds. My very quick and dirty numbers convert a figure of £1800 year rent (over 10 years) to £2800 / yr (for greater than 10 years) based on last years domestic generation and option 1, below.

1) All funds spent on PV panels and infrastructure. Export tariff of 5.5p / kWh.
2) Combination of panels with battery storage allowing us to potentially access something like Octopus Agile Outgoing with a variable export tariff. We would be able to orientate the panels to charge the batteries to be ready to discharge at the optimum period.

Am I missing anything? I know I'll not retire on this, but it seems worth thinking about. There may be an option to lever approx £50,000 from a long-term rental, but we're reluctant to so that unless there is good business case to do so. We generate around 4,400 kWh / yr from 4.2 kW of panels that are limited to 3.68 by the inverter. A 50kW array should give us around 50,000 kWh / yr.

What do people think? We don't use as much power as a large farming operation does so I've ignored local generation / use savings.]]>