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Heating and cooling: wood stoves and solar panels

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1 to 25 of 25

  1.  
    • CommentAuthorcurlew
    • CommentTimeNov 23rd 2014
     
    We have 12 solar pv panels, that cover nearly the entire roof. We are considering getting a wood burning stove, clean burn, defra approved as we live in a smokeless zone. Will the smoke or particulates from the stove settle on the pv panels and make them dirty and less efficient? How have others managed, do you clean your panels? Thank you.
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeNov 24th 2014
     
    I burn wood in a log gas burner, and I've washed my panels on a couple of occasions. I haven't noticed any great reduction in efficiency but it's very difficult to measure I would think.
    My neighbour keeps bees, and bee crap is often spattered all over the panels,. No respecter of property aren't bees.:wink::bigsmile:
  3.  
    Yes similar experience but bird poo, seems generally air pollution , dust etc. is the problem for griming up pv panels nothing that a twice yearly spray down cant fix.
    Wood burners must add to this, but living in an urban area buy a busy road and near an industrial estate I'm unsure what percentage increase mine might cause
  4.  
    bloody Red kites have very large poos !
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeNov 24th 2014
     
    Should try seagulls.

    As you are only considering getting a woodburner, have you considered not getting one.
    Is it really worth the expense and work?
    Are you using your PV production to your best advantage?
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeNov 24th 2014 edited
     
    Posted By: SteamyTea.........Should try seagulls.

    I was at the coast recently and the guy next to me suffered a direct hit into his ear, all down his shoulder and shirt front, like a teacup of emulsion paint, his kids thought it hilarious.

    :bigsmile:
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeNov 24th 2014
     
    It is funny.
    Great to watch then steal an icecream from a small, overexcited child. It is the real reason that St. Ives is so popular.:bigsmile:
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeNov 24th 2014
     
    One shouldn't laugh, but yes it's the sheer look of surprise, before the tears, that amuses.:bigsmile:
    • CommentAuthorpmusgrove
    • CommentTimeNov 24th 2014
     
    Dirty PV panels (as in the middle of summer after a few weeks without rain) will reduce the output by about 5% (from memory of a little experiment I did on mine a couple of years ago. So it is worth washing them after a few weeks dirt has accumulated but not enough difference to worry about fall-out from a stove.
    • CommentAuthorcurlew
    • CommentTimeNov 24th 2014
     
    It's kites, rather than gulls here, but they don't seem to be a problem. Steamy tea, yes, we have considered not getting a wood burner. We're also thinking about fuel security in the future. What did you mean are we getting the most out of our pv panels? We plan and use the electrical appliances during the day where possible, but obviously need heat and light when it is dark and cold, when panels not working.

    Re cleaning panels, do you do it with ladder and long pole? Do you use diluted washing up liquid or what? Is it worth getting the "self cleaning" coating put on once they are installed ( we've had ours a few years)
  11.  
    Just re-create rain; ie decent hose pressure, on jet, squirt it up top. No need for ladder but might need an umbrella :wink:
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeNov 25th 2014 edited
     
    You can get diverters that redirect the power to a dedicated load, say an immersion heater, rather than export excess power.
  13.  
    What about a diverter that pumps water over the panels to give them a spruce up?!
  14.  
    For max 5% in the summer only? I think this was covered previously and the consensus was that the cost/effort of auto-cleaning PV or HW panels was not worth it; still considering having a play here sometime (Italy).
  15.  
    My tongue was in my cheek!
  16.  
    OK OK but it has been discussed seriously here before.:sad:
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeNov 25th 2014
     
    I liked the idea less than someone with an aluminium ladder, and aluminium pole with a brush on then end washing their low voltage (anything up to 1000V) PV modules in bright sunlight.
    Sooner or later it will end in tears:cool:
  18.  
    ''OK OK but it has been discussed seriously here before.:sad:''

    Yes, sorry, I was not aware of that.
    • CommentAuthorpmusgrove
    • CommentTimeNov 25th 2014
     
    Steamy you are right. Have to especially watch what I do with mine placed neatly on a wriggly tin roof. When it rains it can hum a little.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeNov 25th 2014
     
    Posted By: pmusgroveWhen it rains it can hum a little.
    Are you serious?
  21.  
    Probably because it does not know the words-..............
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeNov 26th 2014
     
    :bigsmile:
    • CommentAuthorpmusgrove
    • CommentTimeNov 26th 2014
     
    Well I hum if I am stupid enough to get on a ladder and touch it. I am not sure if it is leakage; more like static build up. Will stick some more earth cables on it.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeNov 26th 2014
     
    Check the inverter documents, some do not allow the modules to be earthed, though the tin roof can be.
  25.  
    Wife got a nasty shock (more of a yelp than a hum!) from an exposed metal light switch back box (no wall for it yet!!) after her shower (ie with v wet hands). Scared me a bit because the RCD didn't pop and I felt bad assuming I had messed up the temporary wiring inside switch but no, whew, no possibility of a live or neutral connection to the back box, though the back box (steel) was well connected to the earth...... tricky subject static electricity and earths.....

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