Tue, 21 Jul 2026 23:36:25 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17006 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17006 Mon, 05 Apr 2021 19:50:44 +0100 renewablejohn https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16786 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16786 Sun, 08 Nov 2020 15:19:39 +0000 revor https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16614 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16614 Wed, 17 Jun 2020 19:14:45 +0100 Triassic
The grid current sensor clips need to be on the incoming supply. Unfortunately the incoming supply and meter is in outbuilding about 80 metres from the house. I’ve looked at the wireless sensor, but I don’t thing it will work as we can’t even get a mobile phone signal in most of the house. I was wondering if I could simply extent the sensor cables to the outbuilding from the plant room?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15361 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15361 Mon, 30 Oct 2017 16:31:37 +0000 markocosic

I'm looking for a clued up MCS installer that could be persuaded to offer MMSP packages.

(these are where the homeowner gets an extra £200-230/year for having heat/electricity meters fitted and pointed at a website)

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/domestic-rhi/applicants/eligible-heating-systems/optional-monitoring


They'd be a front. The hardware/software (actually for metering/billing district heating schemes) is already here. It needs an MCS registered installer to apply their markup/MCS tax to be saleable. Looking for recommendations that aren't knuckle draggers and figured here might be the place.


Thanks,

--
Marko]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16595 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16595 Tue, 09 Jun 2020 10:05:25 +0100 revor The proposal for my install all comes from China. I can source panels and inverters from elsewhere even though it will cost me more but batteries is another matter. Been trawling through potential suppliers but to some extent or another have cells made in China. Does anyone have some leads I can check out.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16693 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16693 Tue, 18 Aug 2020 10:31:14 +0100 MAHARRIS https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16655 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16655 Sun, 12 Jul 2020 09:05:54 +0100 jms452
After it's rained the inverter (SMA 3600TL) stops generating and says 'isolation resistance - check generator'- I presume this means that the inverter is detecting earth leakage.

After a period (a few hours) of dry and sun the system starts working again which we have been advised suggests that the problem is water ingress.

Given that we have 1.5 years of insurance left we are keen to get this fixed but thought there must be relevant wisdom from people who have solved this sort of issue before on GBF.

To complicate matters our original installer has ceased trading so we'd be looking at a claim on the insurance scheme (iwi.biz).

What does a long lasting fix to this problem look like - (i.e. are we replacing a few exterior connectors or all wiring?) and how painful is the insurance process?

TiA

John]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16667 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16667 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 08:30:26 +0100 HoveTom
I’m trying to choose a new SEG outgoing tariff so I can get paid a bit for the electricity I’m not using (no batteries) I would seem there aren’t many companies offering despite it having been around for 6 months or so.

Social energy offer the most at 5.6 pence per unit and then Octopus energy a close second at 5.5 pence for their fixed tariff, they also offer an 'Agile' tariff which is variable depending on the whole sale price. I’m not sure how I would calculate which would be best for me?

I’m also going to get a Solar immersion unit soon. Probably the Solic, in which case I plan to use very little gas during the summer months ( induction Hob ) so I’d like a gas tariff with a very small or no monthly standing charge as I hope to not be using any during the summer months. Is this possible?

Thanks in advance,

Tom.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16625 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16625 Sun, 28 Jun 2020 09:52:10 +0100 MAHARRIS https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10191 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10191 Sat, 23 Feb 2013 11:13:57 +0000 welshjim99 Yes it works but its effectiveness I assume is governed by the I*I*t relationship (Joules Law?), bearing this in mind I am assuming either a MPPT or switchable 120V battery bank between the PV and immersion would help, to ensure max current is going to the immersion in bursts rather than low current trickle charge throughout the day?
I am new to the forum, I have looked but cannot find this in any previous threads.
Thanks]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16563 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16563 Wed, 20 May 2020 19:50:10 +0100 revor Does anyone have an easy way into finding the info I need.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16550 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16550 Tue, 12 May 2020 21:24:16 +0100 XT600 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16496 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16496 Wed, 18 Mar 2020 10:38:49 +0000 Carol hunter
Ramping up the resilience factors....what do folks think about the wisdom of plug in solar?
Thanks, carol]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16481 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16481 Thu, 05 Mar 2020 22:26:20 +0000 LondonEcoHouse
A little bit of promotion here but hopefully you wont mind given the nature of it.

CREW energy are a SW London community energy group.

We help improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in homes and buildings for various organisations and people within the area.

We are a ‘community’ based organisation as we are local residents helping local people but are also a not-for-profit Community Benefit Society meaning any money we make goes back into local projects.

We have lots of really exciting projects coming up this year including having just been awarded a large grant to carry out feasibility work in implementing larger scale renewable heat installations into blocks of flats and a civic centre.
This, in addition to our normal work of helping smaller community organisations and our work running Energy Cafes; where we provide free energy savings advice and support to local people.

We have a lot to do and are looking for more people to get involved and help us continue to deliver our work that so beneficial to our community and London.

We are looking for volunteers, and will also have some paid roles, depending on experience, where we need projects managers and people with experience in this field (or for those who would like to gain experience to enable a paid role)

We also seek trustee roles if you would like to be involved in this capacity.

Please get in touch if you have any interest, or know anyone who would, as we would love to have more people involved in or growing community organisation. Feel free to call Peter on 07985082031.

You can also find out more about us here: http://www.crewenergy.london/]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6241 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6241 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:08:12 +0100 jamesingram
Discussion paper
http://www.aecb.net/new_releases/detail/?nId=9

press release below here
http://www.aecb.net/new_releases/detail/?nId=10

"Biomass – not a green fuel after all?

Defining biomass as a low-carbon fuel is not only mistaken, it is also the cause of higher carbon dioxide emissions and lower building efficiency, according to a paper published today.

The discussion paper, commissioned by AECB, argues that it is fundamentally wrong to define biomass burning as low-carbon, when burning biomass leads to similar carbon dioxide emissions per unit of heat as burning coal.

As the UK prepares to scale up initiatives encouraging more and more biomass to be used as fuel, the AECB decided that it needed to think more rigorously about the issues arising. While it is true that trees do take up carbon dioxide when they grow, this does not mean that the best use for biomass is to burn it.

Instead, the paper argues, the timber can be left unburnt, and put to other uses - for example, as structural timber or other wood products like insulation. Meanwhile we could use other heat sources, that emit a good deal less carbon dioxide than the trees have absorbed, to provide for the same heat requirements.

There is certainly not enough biomass available to both usefully sequester and burn. The paper does not argue that we can sequester our way out of climate change by planting trees and stimulating wood product industries alone. However it clearly makes the case that burning wood is one of the least sensible things to do.

The paper, commissioned by AECB from Nick Grant and Alan Clarke, both experienced building energy consultants, shows how the low-carbon definition for biomass burning is used as a "get out of jail free" card in project design – a biomass boiler then becomes a substitute for good design and energy efficiency. By specifying a biomass boiler, design teams feel they have met their carbon targets, and investing time and budget into efficient, truly low-energy design and construction seems superfluous.

According to the authors, the consequences of current mainstream thinking on biomass as a fuel leads to a ‘lose-lose-lose’ situation:

· Once when the biomass is burnt, releasing twice as much carbon as burning gas for the same heat output

· Again when the building leaks energy, because insufficient attention was paid to energy efficient building fabric and plant design – i.e., the biomass boiler "did it all".

· And further, there is a risk that the timber price is pushed so high by the competition from a growing number of biomass burners, that concrete, bricks and steel have to be created, at very high energy and carbon costs, to make building components that could otherwise have been made from wood.

Explaining why he had written the paper, co-author Nick Grant commented: 'There is a lot of confusion around, with people mixing up the terms renewable, sustainable and low carbon. We need to take a step back from the seemingly endless arguments about the definition of zero carbon, and ask ourselves – what are we really trying to do here? I believe when you do this, it is clear that we need to go back to the simple principle of using less energy, in whatever form.'

The paper "Biomass: a burning issue" is available as a pdf download from the new releases area of the AECB website; go to http://www.aecb.net/new_releases/

In order to gain valuable feedback from AECB members on the issues discussed in this paper, and to invite questions and challenges to the thinking, the AECB has set up a thread on its online discussion forum. Non members can watch the debate – members can post.

Please go to http://www.aecb.net/forum/index.php?topic=2649.0
"]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16445 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16445 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 07:42:33 +0000 CWatters
Any news on new factories in the UK?

https://insideevs.com/news/396102/psa-group-saft-two-ev-battery-gigafactories/]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16419 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16419 Sun, 26 Jan 2020 16:28:48 +0000 jms452 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16429 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16429 Wed, 29 Jan 2020 16:25:41 +0000 Doubting_Thomas
It's been taken down and edited once already to add a few caveats (presumably following feedback/pressure from the industry) but raises a few interesting points. The comparison with wind power is particularly enlightening.

http://www.circularecology.com/solar-pv-embodied-carbon.html#.XjGv1JVLE-W]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16386 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16386 Tue, 07 Jan 2020 08:19:01 +0000 aclarky
I live in a conservation area and can't put solar PV on the roof. I want to build a shed to the side of the house and wondered if I should put solar panels on the roof - I know it would be shaded but panels seem pretty cheap now and could save on slating/roofing the shed costs.

I could fit 10 panels on the shed and it looks like they are down to about £100/panel. + inverter £?

Would it be a complete waste of time? I saw something about wiring them in parallel... We would use all the elec they produce and are installing a NIBE GSHP which can preferentially use solar PV when available..

Any advice very much appreciated.

Cheers

Andy]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16371 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16371 Sun, 22 Dec 2019 15:09:26 +0000 tony
I think that using batteries to store energy increases total energy demand, exactly the opposite if the intention, as batteries are less than 100% efficient.

Thoughts]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16365 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16365 Wed, 18 Dec 2019 12:48:52 +0000 richardelliot
The meter is one of these (I'm pretty sure):
https://www.pluginsolar.co.uk/?product=geo-solo-iii-wireless-pv-monitor-and-meter

Has anyone else noticed anything similar on their systems? Any ideas what I might be able to do about it?

I don't earn a lot in FIT tariffs so there is no point me spending a lot of money to resolve the issue, but I was curious to know if anyone else has had a problem. The company who installed the system is no longer trading so I won't be able to get them back to take a look at it unfortunately.

Thanks,
Richard]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16313 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16313 Tue, 05 Nov 2019 18:50:30 +0000 CWatters
The Times today says...

"The problem with business rates is that they punish investment. Putting solar panels on a roof increases a schools ratable value, a rental equivalence measure used to calculate the business rate bill. A £36,000 investment might increase ratable value by £3,600. At 50.4 percent, business rates in this case would add £1,800 a year to the schools tax bill."]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16330 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16330 Wed, 13 Nov 2019 21:12:02 +0000 jamesingram
"Reduced rate VAT – 5% – applies on installation of Ground Source Heat Pumps
The reduced rate will remain fully available (except on wind and water turbines) after 1 October 2019 for supplies of services of installing "energy saving materials" in residential accommodation where the supply is made to a qualifying person (a person who is aged 60 or over or is in receipt of certain benefits), a relevant housing association or where the residential accommodation is a building or part of a building used solely for a relevant residential purpose.

Otherwise, the reduced rate will be available (except on wind and water turbines) provided that the value of the "energy saving materials" does not exceed 60% of the total value of the supply of installing the "energy saving materials". If the value of the "energy saving materials" exceeds 60%, then only the labour cost element will qualify for the reduced rate (with the supply of the materials being standard rated).

Installation of any of the following energy saving materials in residential accommodation qualifies (subject to the paragraphs above) for the lower rate of VAT:

controls for central heating and hot water systems
draught insulation (eg around windows and doors)
insulation on walls, floors, ceilings, lofts, etc
solar panels
ground-source heat pumps (including ancillary supply like ground works)
air-source heat pumps
wind turbines – this will not apply to wind turbines supplied after 1 October 2019
water turbines – this will not apply to water turbines supplied after 1 October 2019
micro combined heat and power units
wood-fuelled boilers
The lower rate of VAT applies if the energy saving materials are installed and the work is done on residential accommodation.

The lower rate applies on any necessary extra work that needs to be done as part of the installation. For the installation of a ground source heat pump system this includes the heat pump, the ground loop, system controls and any other installation ancillary to the supply. Because a ground source heat pump installation generally provides heat at a lower temperature than a fossil fuel boiler there may be a need to increase the number or size of the radiators as part of the ancillary work or to install underfloor heating. See Heat Emitter Guide.

Notes:

the reduced rate does not apply if you buy materials directly: it only applies if you buy an installation (which includes the supply of materials)
the reduced rate only applies for an installation of these items (including ancillary items) to residential accommodation
if the installation is part of a wider supply, such as a new extension, then the reduced rate does not apply. This means that the reduced rate will only apply if the installation of energy saving materials is the dominant part of the supply.
if the installation is in a new building then the supply is zero-rated for VAT.
This pages summarises advice given in HMRC VAT Notice 708/6 Energy-saving materials."]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16286 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16286 Wed, 16 Oct 2019 19:28:45 +0100 Nick Parsons
I am helping a friend with a proposed 4-6kW PV installation, but the friend is in Mid-Wales and I am in Yorkshire, so I don't have any installers that I know of. Can anyone in that neck of the woods whisper me with a recommended contractor?

Thanks,

Nick]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16275 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16275 Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:47:10 +0100 nigel
One consistently produced about 10% less than the other, I discovered one panel was overheating (using IR Camera).
After much waiting and not getting any joy from installer I have given up and decided to go directly to manufacturer.

They insist on the serial number of the panel before you can make a claim.
So the only way was to take panel off and obtain serial number.

When removing I discover that instead of connecting "faulty" panel into the string they had connected it to itself ie shorting it out.
The string was then connected up missing out this panel.

The question is the panel now knackered from being shorted for a considerable period of time.

Anyone?

Thanks]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16266 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16266 Thu, 03 Oct 2019 20:32:20 +0100 XT600 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16205 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16205 Sat, 10 Aug 2019 04:07:21 +0100 gyrogear
To prevent early breakages, would appreciate feedback for mitigating thermal stress...
Obviously cannot do much about glass edge condition or internal clearances inside frames, so I'm looking at "operational aspect".

https://www.pilkington.com/en-gb/uk/architects/glass-information/functions-of-glass/mechanicalfunctionsofglass/glass-and-thermal-stress

(Ideally, patio doors for this usage would be sold with polycarbonate i/o double glazing, but no doubt I'll get round to doing that change before too long...). The alternative was having them made up - more costly...

Did not dare to bother Pilk***gton with this:

'''Glass and Thermal Stress
''Thermal Stress is created when one area of a glass pane gets hotter than an adjacent area.  If the stress is too great then the glass will crack.  The stress level at which the glass will break is governed by several factors.  Toughened glass is very resilient and not prone to failing due to thermal stress.  Laminated glass and annealed glass behave in a similar way.  Thicker glasses are less tolerant.  (…).

Location of building: = estuarine (french channel coast) (= "windy at times"...)
Orientation: = south (180°)
Type of glass used including details of insulating glass units: = Dual patio doors (OAH= 2000 x OAW = 2400); low-cost non-habitable DG (Grade ''E'') (4/16/4, Low-E), Uw = 2.6. Black-composite warm edge spacers.
Size of building overhang if present = NONE
Size of mullion and transom caps if present = Approx. 40 mm...
Details of any internal or external blind/louvres = NONE
Details of any backup i.e where a panel makes up a level to a floor or ceiling behind the glass allowing hot air to be trapped and reflecting back at the glass. = Sectional UP & OVER garage door, 40 mm thick (XPS), with external black aluminium skin; located 15 cms behind the window.
Framing material including thermal breaks and frame colour. = WHITE aluminium, no thermal breaks.
Window size & if opening changes the incident sun angle. = Twin 200 x 120; sliding (no change of sun angle).
Details of internal heating system: = Purpose of installation is to create a year-round solar furnace (plenum between garage door and patio door). Temp. approx 35°C to 40°C (?)
Any other details like other buildings or trees casting a shadow onto the glass. = Limited shading of window (east side, early morning) (flush-mounted inside garage-door reveal) -- to be confirmed after fitting. During collection, garage door is raised by 2 cms and both patio-door leaves are opened by approx. 1 cm, for external air ingress (via large suction fan). Aim is to use garage as an extended plenum, for heating the crawlspace to around 25°C or more...

I have not paid much for the windows, but nonetheless I'd prefer not to break them too soon; technology demonstration is one thing, but I'd like a bit of amortization :shamed:

thanks for reading,

gg]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16180 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16180 Fri, 19 Jul 2019 10:00:29 +0100 revor
Being at odds with my understanding of this I queried it and was assured that the instruction was correct and there is even a installation video confirming this. I have trawled through illustrations of systems on the WWW and all examples I can find the vessel is orientated with fluid side up gas side down. I recently bought the very excellent handbook The Solar Heating Design & Installation Guide from CIBSE and it quite clearly states that the orientation of the vessel is fluid side up gas side down.

Any views?

(As an aside with no liquid in the system the solar collector temperature got up to 155 deg C I knew it would get hot but not that hot)]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16163 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16163 Fri, 28 Jun 2019 08:47:15 +0100 dereke I've had a Solar Diverter installed so that we get some carbon free hot water (our main heating is oil).

This is all working great except we don't get much hot water, this seems to be because the immersion is located half way up the store so when we have a good sunny day it only heats up half way.

Is there anyway I can get the whole store heated?
Should I get another cylinder with an immersion at the bottom?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16125 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16125 Tue, 14 May 2019 14:05:33 +0100 revor
Anyone got any thoughts.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16106 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16106 Sat, 20 Apr 2019 22:41:21 +0100 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15980 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15980 Wed, 16 Jan 2019 13:56:00 +0000 Nick Parsons
I am working on a community PV scheme. The guidance relating to Permitted Development refers to:

''Permitted development

J. The installation, alteration or replacement of—

(a) microgeneration solar thermal equipment on a building;

(b) microgeneration solar PV equipment on a building; or

(c) other solar PV equipment on the roof of a building,

other than a dwelling house or a block of flats.''

... and draws a distinction between J(b) and J(c):

''(2) Class J(c) development is permitted subject to the condition that before beginning the

development the developer must apply to the local planning authority for a determination as to

whether the prior approval of the authority will be required as to the design or external appearance

of the development, in particular the impact of glare on occupiers of neighbouring land, and the

following sub-paragraphs apply in relation to that application.

(3) The application must be accompanied by—

(a) a written description of the proposed development;

(b) a plan indicating the site and showing the proposed development;

(c) the developer’s contact address; and

(d) the developer’s email address if the developer is content to receive communications

electronically;

together with any fee required to be paid.

(4) The local planning authority may refuse an application where, in the opinion of the

authority—

(a) the proposed development does not comply with, or

(b) the developer has provided insufficient information to enable the authority to establish

whether the proposed development complies with,

any conditions, limitations or restrictions specified in Class J applicable to the development in

question.''

It seems to say that PD applies for 'microgeneration' solar thermal, or 'microgeneration' 'PV on a building (this is mainly a non-domestic question - I know PD for domestic allows a small frame-mounted array), but requires an application, payment and determination for 'other' Solar PV.

What is PV if it isn't microgeneration? What have I missed?!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15973 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15973 Sat, 12 Jan 2019 10:59:19 +0000 martinwinlow
I run a small EV-related business on an island off the west coast of Scotland. I import most of my stock from China so I am familiar with the process.

I am considering expanding my business empire into 'retailing' PV modules locally but at the same time using the bulk-buying opportunity to provide some (very) cheap PV for the business in the form of a free-standing 3.6kWp tracking array. Realistically, I do not expect to get rich from this idea with an island population of 120 souls! That said, there is an ever-growing likelihood of finding one or more buyers for the excess panels.

I already have several 10's of kWh-worth of lithium-based battery storage lying about looking for something to do. Eventually, I hope to end up with some sort of grid-tied battery storage system of about 30kWh capacity but I plan to build a house here in due course and anticipate that the house (and my business) will then be off-grid, for electricity, at least.

Anyway, to my question... I understand that the anti-dumping tariffs that the EU (bless 'em) imposed on some Asian PV exporting countries (esp. China) a few years back have been removed, now, and I was considering importing directly a pallet load (~30 pcs) of Chinese-sourced/made high-quality mono PV modules whose peak output is 370W.

Can anyone confirm that I can go ahead and won't have to worry about HMRC turning up at some point in the furture to demand an 80% import duty payment?

Regards, MW.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15801 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15801 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 09:09:44 +0100 DamonHD
http://www.earth.org.uk/electricity-storage-whole-household-2018.html

The market has moved on, and though I'd still be paying more in raw storage terms than for my lead-acid gel off-grid battery storage of that time, this is packaged, installed, with data access, etc. And done right meets G83 and G100 and shouldn't upset my current FiT arrangements.

I'm not doing this to save money. I'm doing this partially experimentally and mainly as a (small, expensive) carbon-reduction exercise, reducing grid losses/strain shipping energy in and out of the house.

There may be a bigger store added in parallel with this later, even up to seasonal store.

... If the council doesn't pull my house down under CPO in the interim.

Rgds

Damon]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15938 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15938 Mon, 03 Dec 2018 09:54:32 +0000 tony
https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Biomass-in-a-low-carbon-economy-CCC-2018.pdf

EU must strip large-scale wood-burning of ‘carbon-neutral’ status -------- and the UK should have already done this]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15929 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15929 Tue, 20 Nov 2018 09:00:54 +0000 Dominic Cooney
Location is near Leek, Staffordshire (near Stoke-on-Trent)

Thanks.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15913 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15913 Thu, 01 Nov 2018 09:58:35 +0000 divergav
I have a Daikin Altherma ASHP and generally am very happy with it, but I have 2 problems that have cropped up and not sure if they are connected.

Prob 1: We've had a hotwater flow fault for a while now and many attempts to fix it have proved fruitless. The ASHP works in conjunction with a solar thermal panel so in summer the solar heats the water and all is good. However, last year, after years of working properly, the ASHP hot water system throws up a flow fault. It was intermittent at first and is now everytime the ASHP is asked for hot water. The space heating works every time. The flow fault is just the hot water.

So the engineers clean the filters, change the pump, filddle with wiring and tinker around, but nothing works. The heating engineers say its not the heatpump so is a plumbing issue. After months of trying to find plumbers who know heatpumps (I live in a rural part of the country) I find a company. They think it is the diverter valve causing the problem. So they drain down the system and fit a new one (at great cost). The problem persists. Between the hot flow from the ASHP and the hotwater cylinder is the diverter valve, a solenoid valve (a safety for the solar thermal system) and some copper pipework.

So everyone is at a loss as to what is causing the issue. My question is for ideas, but also could it be the coil inside the hotwater cylinder getting furred up? Does that happen? We live in a very hard water area, but have a filter on water entering the house to combat some of the hardness.

Prob 2: It started this week after the diverter valve was changed (but I only noticed it then as the days have got colder). The ASHP only seems to make up to 34°C and then drops the temp back down. The heat pump also sounds like it is struggling. Has anyone experienced this before? Anyone have a possible idea of the problem?

I hope someone can help with either or both issues.

Thanks]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15674 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15674 Mon, 16 Apr 2018 16:23:29 +0100 Jamster
An idle thought while mowing the lawn - has anyone yet seen any schemes where homeowners are given a 'free' storage battery in exchange for the profit made selling back to the grid at times of peak demand? A kind of distributed version of the battery storage farms that are popping up to cater for short term spikes? My vision is that existing domestic PV panels could be coupled to storage batteries; the homeowner gets a better use of power during the evening, etc and gets to smooth out their supply vs demand curve and the battery supplier gets a distributed renewable generation / storage network. Its a variation on the free panels schemes that were going around obviously.

Any thoughts / information or are we not there in terms of technology yet?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15891 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15891 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 00:07:19 +0100 tony
A lot of people think solar PV is dead, but they are labouring under a misapprehension, yes the Feed in Tariff scheme is about to end but it is no longer needed. My local University has just installed solar panels on several buildings on its campus outside of the Feed in tariff scheme, the installations were economic without it. One of our best local private schools is about to commission its fourth solar PV system, the first three, which have all been instilled in the last few years, are returning at 12% or more on investment and the best one at almost 16%, the next installation will give returns of over 12% and the capital costs are coming down. Energy prices are only ever going to rise so these returns will actually increase over the coming years.

Dead, not by a long way]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8729 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8729 Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:52:53 +0000 jamesingram I presume they work , but haven't tested them yet.
I was thinknig of sticking some clear lament film over them to hold them together and waterproof them a bit
perhap a new sheet of glass bonded on top will be better.
Anyway, dont think I'll add them to my existing grid tide system but was thinking of sticking them on the shed roof and mucking about with them in some way , any ideas , seems a shame to bin them.

cheers Jim]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15805 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15805 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 14:51:03 +0100 aberned
On a related matter, I have a filter in the heat pump which I originally cleaned annually and it never had anything to speak of in it. However more recently (in the last 12 months) it has been gathering quite a lot of what appears to be rust flakes. This requires cleaning every couple of months or trips the heat pump out on high pressure. It begs the question where this might be coming from and whether I should be adding inhibitor or something to the system.

Thoughts welcome!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15796 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15796 Wed, 11 Jul 2018 18:59:46 +0100 tony
As I see it if there were 6kW of panels in winter they would only generate 2 kW a lot of the time]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15675 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15675 Mon, 16 Apr 2018 17:21:16 +0100 tony
This would seem to be the end of the road for community PV]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15196 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15196 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 12:19:38 +0100 tony
Off grid the below arguements do not apply.

For the country they do. Until we generate more renewable energy than we can use there is utterly no point in storing it. Why? -- because it is inefficient, generally something like 80% some stores are as little as 60% efficient. So why not manage the use better and use it to save the fossil fuels that are being used to generate the equivalent amount of so called stored energy instead? In my Eutopian world this process is 100% efficient at saving fossil fuel. In the real world slightly less but we live with some ugly inefficiencies already but why would we want more of them.

Overall this is much better for all of us, as many of you will know I hate waste in all its forms.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15560 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15560 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:29:42 +0000 Jamster
My parents have an oldish (1740 or so) farmhouse with infill stone walls. Windows and doors are generally modernish with a well insulated loft. They've done the easy win stuff but insulation to the walls via EWI or IWI I think is a non-starter for them. Their current CH is via radiators and an oil boiler, DHW generally via an immersion for reasons I'm not sure on frankly. The boiler is old, approx 35 kWth and really needs replacement. Having spoken to them, its not well set up, seems to cycle off and on when manually switched on and while it gets the radiators hot, the building does not stay warm for long once they're turned off. They typically run this for 8 hours a day or so, mainly in the winter and shoulder months. I think I'd struggle to get them to reduce their heat demand through further works.

They use approx 2000 litres of heating oil a year which I think is an approx heating demand of 20,000 kW; I have no idea of their DHW usage but I doubt it is huge (2 showers a day).

They had a SAP done when they got the loft insulated for free but I haven't seen it yet.

Replacement options.

No mains gas supply.
Heat pumps are ruled out I think - no desire to replace rads with UFH, flow temps on rads will kill the CoP on a heat pump.
I would prefer not to get a replacement oil boiler as the fuel is expensive.
Biomass - suggested option at the moment but probably pellets rather than manually fed logs (they're in their 60's).

So, I am going to suggest that they investigate a 40-50 kW output biomass boiler linked to a large heat bank / buffer tank (approx 1500 - 2000 litres) that can do batch burns to increase the efficiency and use this to serve the CH system basically via either "always on" at a lower flow temp or at least a longer CH period to try and steady out the heating period. Or would a smaller (and cheaper) burner be better, given it would have to run for longer? Any thoughts? Either way, a large hopper I thiink is necessary as it seems to give a better position when placing orders pellet suppliers.

My other query is mainly around DHW at the moment - should they look to take the DHW via a heat exchanger at the top of this buffer tank (plenty of pressure for mains fed) or fit a seperate smaller tank for year round DHW supply so that in the summer only this is heated? I assume this isn't difficult? I've seen it suggested that the DHW is also fitted with an immersion that could do DHW via PV in future also.

This would reduce the need to disrupt the house significantly and the existing CH and DHW loops could feed straight from the new tanks. Annoyingly, this would likely need a plant room outside, but it could well be cheaper and easier than trying to fit one into the house.

EDIT: I forgot to say that RHI is an option but obviously accreddited equipment and suppliers will push the cost up in the first instance so again, comments on this welcome.

Experiences and recomendations welcome. Thanks - Jamie]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15378 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15378 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:39:01 +0000 ecoworrier NB; the array is not his he has free use of the energy, it is a three phase installation and the freezer is used for freezer packs not food.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15559 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15559 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 11:10:20 +0000 dereke I've had a quote to replace it with an ASHP. The quote has come in at around £10k (15kW Mitsubishi).

At the risk of over simplifying what the installer actually does it seems to me to be a fairly simple install.

1) detach pipes from oil boiler to thermal store
2) install heat pump
3) attach pipes from heat pump to thermal store

I am sure it is a bit more complex than that of course but I thought my install would be quite straightforward so I'm a bit surprised by the price.

Thoughts?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15541 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15541 Thu, 01 Feb 2018 08:20:29 +0000 SteamyTea
Seems they are going to use some RE to extract heavy crude. Rather missing the point I think.
But at least the EROEI will be high. Tom will like that.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15482 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15482 Thu, 04 Jan 2018 12:45:15 +0000 jamesingram Anyone looked into design details for roof mounted PV in the Outer Hebrides
Wind speed from national chart are >28-29m/s

Roofing in the area generally involves fully sarked rafters with OSB and all tiles nailed

I was looking into fitting a GSE inroof system ,just wonder about its suitability , I'll contact manufacturer/supplier
but was just wonder if anyone had any site experience in that area.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15402 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15402 Fri, 17 Nov 2017 16:05:07 +0000 tony