Green Building Forum - Renewable Energy Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:44:21 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 PV glass https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14229 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14229 Mon, 02 May 2016 17:46:40 +0100 Nick Parsons New PVGIS (v5) in beta https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15266 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15266 Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:25:32 +0100 skyewright
http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/PVGIS5-beta.html

Edit: Changed format to give a clickable link]]> 2017 4kW PV installation. https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15071 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15071 Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:54:50 +0100 gustyturbine
I've not been on for a while so it's good to catch up.

I have finished by self build now and I am considering PV installation as the price has plummeted.

I couldn't afford the installation during the build unfortunately.

what should I expect to pay for a simple roof installation these days?

Is it worth paying the extra for Monocrystalline panels?

What fixing system is best for a modern slate roof?

I hope to use the power to pay for some of the GSHP running costs.

Would you install a larger system if possible as my roof is around 12mtrs long and is one flat surface with usual pitch.

Many thanks for any advice all.

Gusty.]]> Non FIT PV metering https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15185 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15185 Sat, 15 Jul 2017 11:39:26 +0100 tychwarel GB manages a day without coal https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15061 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15061 Sat, 22 Apr 2017 07:49:01 +0100 SteamyTea
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39668889

I have made a chart of the domestic fuel mix from GridWatch (http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk/download.php)

I tripped out the interconnects, Oil generation, OCG, Pumped and Other, as they were either so tiny or not really relevant to domestic generation (who knows what the Dutch are really burning).

Easy enough to look those figures up if you want to as they are part of the download.

Now the really interesting thing is the solar production. It can now peak at nuclear levels, though the yield over a day is a lot lower. Due to the high pressure over the UK at the moment we have had pretty clear skies, and wind production is down.

Gas still makes up the lion's share of our generation, not ideal environmentally and politically, but so much better than coal.

What did occur to me is that if we can continue down this low carbon route, and there is no reason why we cannot do so for the next decade (there are technical limitations eventually), we may need to rethink our house building from an emissions viewpoint (that DER, TER stuff).

There is still a good argument to reduce usage because of cost (Gas is about £40/MWh, Nuclear about £95/MWh, Solar and Wind about £150/MWh), but it shows that with a serious reduction in usage the price need not be prohibitive (maybe a 25% rise in overall electricity costs, I would need to look at figures a bit more on that to get a truer picture).

Now the 'Spot the Coal line' chart.]]> Radioactive waste used to create a diamond battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15073 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15073 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 08:55:39 +0100 jamesingram
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/02/these-scientists-are-turning-radioactive-waste-into-diamond-batteries?utm_content=buffer99fb5&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer]]> Energy mix for a small country https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14988 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14988 Fri, 17 Mar 2017 14:46:18 +0000 tony
I would say 100% geothermal but there is not enough so only 60% available, I have suggested reducing energy demand as a lot is wasted already.

Then 25 to 30 % solar PV is their aim and 10 to 15% wind, almost no hydro and I suggested waiting five years for tidal, no real wave potential and even if there was I wouldn't recommend it. No to nuclear as no need of it.]]> EV's are futile in addressing climate change. https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14892 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14892 Fri, 03 Feb 2017 16:08:54 +0000 Chris P Bacon
Interesting article in the above link which lays out one man's view as to why electric vehicles will not solve the problem of carbon emissions as the increasing demand for jet fuel and plastics means that an increasing amount of crude oil will be extracted and processed and refineries will continue to produce petrol from that crude.

If the petrol is not used for transportation it will just be diverted to some other use, so there is no point in reducing demand for petrol if we don't also reduce demand for all the other products refined from a barrel of crude.

I'm not qualified to dispute the figures and it all appears worryingly logical to me. It seems like if we don't address the world's increasing appetite for air travel and plastics we are all doomed.]]> Increased rates due to PV https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14936 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14936 Fri, 24 Feb 2017 16:53:29 +0000 CWatters
"Environmentally friendly schools will have to pay hundreds of pounds extra under changes to business rates."

"According to the Solar Trade Association, the ratable value for self use solar panels will rise from £8 per kilo-watt to up to £61.60"

The article mentions a school in London that paid £24K for their array (size unspecified) and they face an increase in business rates of £500 a year due to the PV array and £4000 on the rest of the school.]]> ASHP server and powerflush https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14747 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14747 Fri, 02 Dec 2016 10:24:02 +0000 glev26
I am having a few radiators changed and dew to some poor design i need to drain down the whole system.

I have been quoted over £800 which i feel is way over the top, I am looking for someone in London that can help me. I have already purchased 25 litres of glycol.

I am not very technical and very bad at DIY.

Thanks]]> Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14719 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14719 Wed, 23 Nov 2016 16:49:14 +0000 escapologist
House previously mentioned in another thread, is on top of a hill and apparently gets a higher than UK average of wind in that area ( :cool: ), so possibly considering one as part of overall energy strategy. Use to supplement PV and top up batteries in dark/quiet hours sort of thing.

There is a suitable un-constricted location for a WT

Comments? Any particular WTs that are good? Or not?]]> PV & Singularity conference Christchurch https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14698 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14698 Thu, 17 Nov 2016 21:45:12 +0000 Jeff Norton (NZ) As with all singularity the exponential growth of technology is creating a brave new world that is changing at an accelerating pace, Ramez Naam‘s talked on energy storage & solar PV among other things and its subsequent plunge in cost. The price drop is changing the energy market and creating a ‘disruption’ (A singularity term that is frequently used). Is there a minimum cost of PV or is it going to continue to drop?

Another example is the Dubai electricity and Water authority has received a record low bid to build a solar park for 2.99c/kWh
https://cleantechnica.com/2016/05/02/lowest-solar-price-dubai-800-mw-solar-project/
So if this continues and solar can create an Abundance of cheap energy then where does that leave us energy conservers, do we really need passive houses… I would love to know your thoughts?]]> How did M&S do so much solar PV https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14687 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14687 Sun, 13 Nov 2016 09:50:06 +0000 tony
So many problems to overcome, shortage of time, government changes, dealing with ofgem, network operators and contractors.

Worst of all arrangements with building owners leases and licence agreements, even getting this through in house governance has proved impossible for others.

GOOD MANAGEMENT AND A WILLINGNESS TO ACT WON THE DAY -- VERY WELL DONE M&S


Where were the rest of us?]]> Joule thermal store with solid fuel and solar set up https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14642 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14642 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 22:02:15 +0100 Trigger59 FYI - 'WaterSeer' https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14622 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14622 Sun, 16 Oct 2016 08:44:12 +0100 Joiner
http://www.offgridquest.com/green/waterseer-water-capture]]> Help with 3 phase inverter choice https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14484 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14484 Sat, 20 Aug 2016 11:19:27 +0100 jonc_uk
I am new here, so please go easy on me!

I am looking for any advice on an inverter for my specific application.

At my holiday home in the Algarve, I have a Lorentz PS4000 solar borehole pump system. This is used to pump water for irrigation of my garden which is needed typically from May to the end of October in varying degrees. The system is powered by fourteen Solarworld Sunmodule Plus SW 285 Mono connected as seven in series, in parallel to another seven of the same (so 2x7 series-parallel if that makes sense).

I want to use the spare power from the winter/spring seasons to power my air source heat pump to keep the house warm. The ASHP is 3 phase and I can't alter the configuration of the panels which will provide a relatively low voltage, but high current:

Voc = 7x 39.7 = 277.9V
Vmp = 7x 31.3 = 219.1V
Isc = 2x 9.84 = 19.68A
Impp = 2x 9.20 = 18.4A

Over this period I expect most days will be full cloud with the system operating at below maximum power, but still brighter than the UK!

I know I have limited options being 3-phase - generally they are higher power units which means long strings and high voltages etc. which is not ideal. I intend to use a relay to switch from the pump controller to the inverter but I don't want to mess with the wiring at the panels which are ~40m away at the end of some very hefty cable.

Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions,

Jonathan.]]> Solar connectors and rain https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14580 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14580 Fri, 30 Sep 2016 22:21:46 +0100 tony Wave power not! https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14503 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14503 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 13:24:11 +0100 tony
In fact it they are using tidal power in Shetland to generate electricity.

For me this is a landmark event as a large proportion of our electricity needs could and should be produced using tidal energy.

The other funny thing is that as far as I know Shetland is not joined to the national grid yet?]]> Solar PV - water heating & monitoring questions for a new install https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13558 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13558 Sat, 01 Aug 2015 17:00:29 +0100 richardelliot 1. We will be at work during the day and therefore (hopefully) generating excess electricity. I'm assuming one of the best things to do is to use the excess electricity to heat our hot water? We are currently planning to have a 250l Megaflo Eco Indirect tank.

2. Our installers are recommending www.powerdiverter.com as the kit to heat our hot water. Has anyone used one of these before or can recommend an alternative?

3. We are going to have an east / west install split 2.25kwh and 1.75kwh. They are recommending either SMA or Solarworld Sunplug inverters. I'm not sure if the forum has any recommendations on these two. I'm assuming I'll need two inverters, one for each aspect based on comments I've previously read.

4. Finally, I'd like to monitor my PV generation. For Code for Sustainable Homes points, I also need to monitor my consumption of mains electricity. I haven't been able to find a device which does both. Is anyone aware of one? I have read (on the Owl website) that the diverters used for water heating can affect the accuracy of the monitors as well. No real point getting one if they aren't going to be accurate.

Thanks for any thoughts]]> Planning permission submitted for solar - It's now a waiting game! https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13877 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13877 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 10:18:27 +0000 Pile-o-Stone
I did this and submitted the plans (2kw on one roof, 1 kw on the other). They emailed me and said I needed to add some extra details before they could submit for approvals. I updated the documents as they asked and then at the last minute I decided 'blow it' and I changed to my original idea of having 2kw on each roof and submitted the details.

I'm wondering now if that was a wise move. Does anyone have experience of the planning process for solar panels? If you go against their advice, are you doomed to failure?

I have had listed building advice from the same council in the past but gone against it and had no problems getting approvals. Often their 'advice' is aesthetic and is more about the personal taste of the planner than strict planning laws. I was worried that this was the case again with the panels and that they would have been approved regardless and so I would have missed out on 1kw of generation for nothing.

If they refuse permission, does anyone know the appeals process? Do you have to start again from scratch or can I just resubmit with the 1kw array and have it passed?]]> Will 200+ mile electric cars solve the grid storage problem? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14310 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14310 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 10:36:44 +0100 GarethC
The 200 mile range is I reckon the critical range, allowing about 3 hours of motorway driving, after which most will want a break anyway, allowing charging, and allowing you to go pretty much anywhere in the UK with just 2/3 stops.

I think that that means that electric cars could make up a big chunk of the total car market in 10 years, and we might have almost exclusively electric cars in 20 years’ time, much faster than I thought.

That’s exciting in itself, but here’s the potentially interesting bit for me. And this might be b*llocks, so interested to hear from people that actually know what they are talking about. It’s probably also been covered elsewhere, but I couldn’t find the thread...

The average daily car journey is 20 miles. Assuming a 200 mile range, this means that, on average, 90% of total car battery capacity is unused at any one time.

The average UK household uses 4kWh of electricity per day, and 14kWh of gas. Let’s assume in 20 years people are instead using heat pumps with a COP of 3.0. That’s an extra 5kWh of electricity. So 9kWh is enough to provide for an average household’s daily energy needs. Round up to 10.

Now these 200+ mile cars have battery capacities of 60kWh+. If only 10% is used each day, they’ll tend to use only 6kWh per day. That leaves enough to provide for 3 days total domestic energy use while still leaving a decent buffer in the car even if it’s used every day (3 days domestic energy use = 30kWh, 3 days driving = 18kWh = 48kWh, so 12kWh left).

I’ve always been worried about renewables intermittency and how we'd deal with a few straight -days’- in winter of weak sun and little wind. But if all households had cars with these capacities, they could use their spare battery capacity to provide for their own needs or sell their spare electricity back to the grid, until such time as the wind picks up.

Long story short, I’m no longer scratching my head about how we’ll deal with intermittency if we rely more and more on renewables.

What have I missed? What would need to happen to the grid for all the cars to be able to feed in their leccy when needed?]]> When to install PV https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14312 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14312 Sat, 04 Jun 2016 18:58:27 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary
By the way the estimated pay back time (ROI) here is 10 years

There are no grants or FIT to fog the decision.]]> Free solar PV and batteries https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14328 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14328 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 12:47:56 +0100 CWatters
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/free-panels-for-coal-town-as-energy-giants-face-solar-eclipse-p6mdstp93]]> Solar thermal - Graphene thermal fluid. https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14321 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14321 Sat, 11 Jun 2016 17:28:38 +0100 Chris P Bacon
http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14157

Having looked at some of Murray-Smith's other videos I found another on the subject of thermal fluids that may be very interesting to some on here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycICsb-lOa8

He has added some graphene to water and says the only other thing that is added is some surfactant to keep the graphene in suspension (but doesn't specify exactly what). The result is a fluid with greatly enhanced thermal transfer properties compared to water.

This could be of particular benefit in the winter and shoulder months to get the most out of ST during short breaks in the cloud cover.

As far as I can see the graphene for use in this fluid is easily made by exfoliating sub 350 micron graphite in de-ionised water with Fairy liquid! The process is described in this video..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irg3kbnTN4o&index=14&list=PLbQqm4rNo6243e69xp-ZPUkYDb38oS4xU

What do people think?

Anyone up for some experimentation?]]> Twin cylinder problem. Trapped air , lots of gurgling https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14267 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14267 Sun, 15 May 2016 19:45:14 +0100 jamesingram I've fitted a cylinder up in the loft next to my open vented header tank , outlet of cylinder is about same level as outlet from header , a bit tight but I figured as long as header top level stays above this it'll be ok.
It's heated by a pv immersion dump. 120 litres its main pressure but I've used as open vent (freebie) all 22mm pipe outlets inlets etc.
Output goes to cold feed in original gas boiler heated 120l cylinder on 1st floor airing cupboard.
See drawing , vented as shown. Ignore thermal bit.
It's sucking air somehow and getting trapped so flows a bit effected when running the bath hot tap. (Back filled with main to clear out any air locks)
Any ideas why?
Water is probably hotter in top cylinder so wonder if it causing problems as it rushes in and up to top of lower cylinder.
Sorry for poor grammar wrote this on phone
Planning to create 2nd circuit on pv dump to do lower then upper cylinder]]> which FIT provider? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14234 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14234 Tue, 03 May 2016 22:26:56 +0100 djh
I'm thinking of switching either to Good Energy or to Ecotricity. Any opinions from anybody?]]> Solar panels that generate energy from rain. https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14191 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14191 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 17:00:23 +0100 jamesingram Well that's an idea]]> Solar PV power diverters https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14160 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14160 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 14:36:32 +0100 owlman Opinions, models, reliability, etc. ??]]> Energy policy https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14125 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14125 Mon, 14 Mar 2016 21:31:48 +0000 tony or
is policy driven by what we need?]]> Solar PV diverter to two immersion heaters on one tank? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14106 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14106 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 08:42:37 +0000 Pile-o-Stone
Initially I thought of swapping the immersion heater and blank plate so that more of the tank is heated by the immersion heater. However, I thought that in the spring and autumn months I may not have enough diverted energy to heat the whole tank, but may be able to heat the top of the tank for DHW purposes.

This then got me wondering whether I could keep the top immersion as is, and install a second immersion (with a long element that went to towards the bottom of the tank) and wire them up in such a way that the top immersion received the diverted electricity first, turning off when the top of the tank reached the peak temperature, with the energy then going to the second immersion heater to heat the rest of the tank (if there is enough diverted PV left).

This would give me the most flexible arrangement and I know the immersun device will operate more than one heating device (I have read that some people divert to oil filled radiators once the immersion heater has turned off).

What do people on here think of this arrangement? Will it work, will the top immersion heater heat the whole tank anyway, should I just move the immersion to the middle of the tank?

As always, thanks in advance for all responses!

P.O.S.]]> Navitron registration https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14090 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14090 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 10:13:10 +0000 smudger Grid Energy Storage for 100% Renewable, Calculation Help! https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14004 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14004 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 19:51:34 +0000 connormilton
I'm finishing off my final year dissertation titled "Energy Storage for 100% renewable electricy in Scotland". I have compared all technologies and Pumped Hydro seems to be the most suitable. If all Hydro stations in Scotland where converted to pumped hydro there would be a capacity of 530GW. Scotland consumes 140TW per year there for we would have around 1 1/2 days worth of storage if there was no energy generation. What I'm trying to work out is how much extra storage would we need to become self sufficient for renewable electricity. I'm guessing I would need to find out what would be the worst case scenario would be i.e how much energy would need to stored to cover days of low renewable generation. I can't find any research on this Issue. If anyone could help me work this out or point me in the right direction that would be great.

Thanks
Connor]]> Energy Comparisons https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13967 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13967 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 20:42:04 +0000 Triassic
http://s15.postimg.org/o3h0kkxrv/usage_petrole_graph8.jpg


What this chart shows is that over 150 years no energy source has ever been replaced. New energy sources are merely added to the existing energy sources.

Gas did not replace oil, oil did not replace coal, coal did not replace wood.

Today we burn more gas than ever, more oil than ever, more coal than ever and more wood than ever before.]]> Stenfield Solicitors - Solar Thermal No Win No Fee https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13940 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13940 Fri, 08 Jan 2016 12:36:49 +0000 nigel
They are kindly offering to get me my money back ... so long as they can have 25% of it.

What an unpleasant bunch off sponging toe-rags, they give solicitors a bad name.

Has anyone else had one, and if so I would like to find out how they got my name and address?
Apart from RHI I have never notified any one of and its not visible so they must be buying this information from someone.

I would like to know who?]]> Future proofing for PV storage https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13938 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13938 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 18:29:55 +0000 Phil.Chaddah-Duke
Also, do electric car recharging points run off standard ring main or do they need higher amp direct wiring?

Cheers.
Phil]]> Home made PV battery storage with lipo 18650 cells https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13929 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13929 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:16:59 +0000 jamesingram It uses 2nd hand 18650 3.7V lipo cells found in old laptop batteries and power tools etc.
I've about 60 odd from knacker Makita 18V batteries I've been collecting, most are individual good as the problem is usually only with the first cell in the 10 pack.
Anyone got any experience of building up pack with these cells and or useful links
I think 50 odd would give me 500W for an hours if my very basic calcs are correct]]> Phone that never needs charging https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13923 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13923 Fri, 01 Jan 2016 16:14:34 +0000 CWatters
http://orbo.com/products/ophone

The ophone is a feature phone that never needs to be recharged. Based on our Orbo 'never die' battery technology the ophone provides the user with the convenience of never having to recharge their mobile phone again.
]]> Solar PV https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13778 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13778 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 09:49:32 +0000 owlman Mosscliff another one gone https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13908 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13908 Thu, 24 Dec 2015 12:10:46 +0000 windy lamb Heatpump groundloop Biocide ? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2950 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2950 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:18:07 +0000 welshboy Transparent energy-generating glass - too good to be true? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13898 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13898 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:54:35 +0000 lineweight

"Unlike other “transparent” solar cells that we’ve reported on in the past, this one really is transparent, as you can see in the photos throughout this story. According to Richard Lunt, who led the research, the team are confident that the transparent solar panels can be efficiently deployed in a wide range of settings, from “tall buildings with lots of windows or any kind of mobile device that demands high aesthetic quality like a phone or e-reader.”

http://msutoday.msu.edu/feature/2015/the-future-is-clear/?utm_campaign=standard-promo&utm_source=msulinkedin-post&utm_medium=social#

If it works, generates enough, and isn't prohibitively expensive, then this looks great.

But usually with these things it seems to turn out that they fail on one of those points.

Am wondering if anyone else has come across this and looked into it in any detail.

Is it "solar freakin roadways" all over again?]]> Off the shelf - solar shed kit? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13835 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13835 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 10:59:59 +0000 Jamster
I'm finishing my man-shed plans and I'd quite like some basic lighting. Too difficult to run a power cable to it so my query is, can anyone:
Recommend an off-the-shelf lighting kit with PV panels, battery, compatible lighting;
Pass on any experience if this setup might also extend to a socket for a radio or battery charger?

I'm not a fan of playing with electricity so the less intervention that's required on my behalf the better. Roof will be broadly S-facing at least...

Thanks,
Jamie]]> Direction to point PV panels https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13878 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13878 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 19:05:24 +0000 CWatters
Is there a program that can do this?]]> UK Pv solar farms , how much land ? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13872 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13872 Mon, 07 Dec 2015 21:55:07 +0000 jamesingram Subsidy free solar - The impact to domestic energy generation https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13860 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13860 Tue, 01 Dec 2015 15:54:26 +0000 Pile-o-Stone
If subsidies are withdrawn, do people think that domestic installations will be sized to individual use to reduce installation costs and increase payback periods rather than utilising all of the available roof space as happens at the moment?]]> Refilling pressurised solar thermal system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13839 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13839 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 20:25:03 +0000 philedge
Without thinking I bought readymixed Solar S1 so I need to be able to pump it in at around 2 bar without adding water so it doesnt get diluted. Any ideas? I guess there are pumps out there but I've not come across any.]]> "Green power bosses cash in on diesel" https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13832 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13832 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:47:09 +0000 CWatters
"BRITAIN’S green energy barons are getting huge taxpayer subsidies to install diesel generators — exactly the kind of polluting energy source their wind and solar farms are meant to replace.

Wind and solar power firms are being encouraged to install the generators, which pour out CO2, a greenhouse gas, and toxic nitrogen dioxide, on their sites in order to provide standby generating capacity and prevent the lights going out during periods of peak demand.

The giant Roundponds solar farm, near Melksham, Wiltshire, is among the first green generators to take advantage. The directors of Hive Energy, which owns it, have won permission to put diesel generators near the solar panels — despite local objections.

Similarly, First Renewable has won permission for a diesel farm next to its wind turbines and solar panels at Kettering Energy Park in Northamptonshire."

The full story says 1000 diesel generators the size of a container have been installed in the past 18 months with a similar number planned.]]> How does net metering work for renewables on a 3 phase supply https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13805 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13805 Sun, 15 Nov 2015 13:34:54 +0000 ActivePassive
I am considering two solutions if they refuse permission. The first is to install 10 kWp but to restrict the output of the inverters, by having a lower capacity inverter e.g. 6 kWp , or by using a fancy Solar Edge inverter system which monitors export to the mains and then throttles back to a configured limit (although I am not sure this is G59/3 compliant at the moment). The second solution would be to pay to have a 3 phase supply installed - a distance of 6m down my drive from an overhead telegraph pole.

If I had a 3 phase supply I would have about 3.3 kWp of solar PV on each phase. It is likely however that the consumers in the house would remain on the existing single phase. I am also planning on installing a small ASHP to provide heating baseload in the winter again most likely on the main single phase supply to the house. I am also aware that DECC are looking to install Smart Meters in everyone's homes and potentially use them to remove the deemed export mechanism on renewable installations.

The question then is how would the meter calculate import and export across the 3 phases. To provide an example, lets say I was producing 1 kW on each of the 3 phases i.e. 3 kW in total ,and consuming 3 kW in the house. Would the meter deem I was not consuming at all (i.e. it would net of the aggregate of the import and export) or would it deem I was importing a net of 2 kW on one phase (3 kW - 1 kW) while exporting 2 x 1 kW on the other 2 phases? The alternatives have cost implications the first would be cost neutral, the second would cost me 20p/hr (i.e. 2 kW at 15p/kWh net import on a single phase minus 2 x 1 kW export on the other 2 phases at 5p/kWh).

I know Smart Meter's can display and log both import and export, but does anyone know whether for 3 phases meters whether they aggregate the 3 phases to determine import or export of treat the 3 phases individually? I tried approaching a Smart Meter company but they haven't bothered getting back to me.]]> Grid Tied---Off Grid https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13820 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13820 Fri, 20 Nov 2015 09:59:23 +0000 owlman
e.g. Standard 4kW grid tied; plus extra (up to 6kW) off grid.

If so how do you manage it?

e.g. Battery storage, or some devices on a separate circuit.]]> FIT rates https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13801 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13801 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 11:00:56 +0000 philedge