Energy Matters:Home Solar

[myglaren]

I was also thinking of the roof pitch, if you have an iPhone, although there are more traditional methods. Also the intensity on the area.

Partly as I used to work for Seaward who make the instrument that Jordan was using.
But also the measurements of the area with respect to the size of the panels.

[mickthemaverick]

I'll just lay the tree pruner up the roof with the end overhanging and measure the angle against my spirit level with a protractor to get the pitch!!

[mickthemaverick]

Although this is a US based site it does offer some simple explanations of the optimal mounting conditions for solar panels. I don't think I actually learned anything I didn't already know but I did find it a potentially useful introduction for the total novice:

https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/best- ... anel-angle

[Peter.N.]

Ours is facing south east Mick, well you've seen it, as long as it gets direct sunlight and isn't shaded at it will give you maximum power when the sun is directly on it, you don't get a great deal of output if the sun isn't shining unless its still fairly bright.

I am considering fitting some to the garage roof which is NE to SW using them on both sides so one side should always be in direct sunlight, this won't give as much output as one facing directly in the sun but it will give it for longer. In the summer when the sun is almost directly overhead it should give output from both sides.

I did have a wind turbine here a few years ago but unless you have a very high wind speed you need one with at least 2 metre long blades to get anything like a constant output from it, it was on that tower behind the garage which now supports ham radio antennas. Even though we are fairly high the output wasn't really high enough to be useful apart from charging the batteries. The rotator bearing failed on it and it all came down, so I have come to the conclusion that solar panels are much more reliable especially at the price they are now.

A 24v system is more efficient than a 21v one, 48v even better, the inverter and cable losses get less the higher you go and of course the cable is cheaper. I wouldn't bother with small bladed turbines unless you have a permanent gale.

A steerable mounting system for panels would be the most efficient way to go but very expensive, mounting them on the roof in a position where they get maximum sunlight is the optimum position

Peter.

[Gibbo2286]

My panels face south south west but direct sunlight isn't necessary they work on daylight and are better without the heat we have at the moment in fact one day last week the stopped producing when the top temperature hit 40c, the meter in the hall flashes while they're producing and glows solid red when not, I assume there is some sort of cut out built in.

[myglaren]

I may have to have a look at mine as it was 48 Celciuses a couple of days ago, in direct sunlight where they are.

[mickthemaverick]

So I decided to do some measurements today a) to identify true South and b) to confirm the pitch of the roof.
I set up a very simple device to determine true south:

Own work

Then all I had to do was roll the tent pole in line with the timber shadow at 13.00 and photograph the position:

Own work

I then made a note of where the pole's line meets the patio wall and the house wall so in future to check South I simply join those points with a line which will then be laying north-south!!

Now for the pitch, or maybe not, too hot to get the ladder out so that can wait for another day!!

[Peter.N.]

It doesn't matter if it's not spot on Mick, our panels are facing south east just means you get max power earlier in the day but they are still good for the rest of the day.

Peter

[mickthemaverick]

Having dragged myself away from the infinity thread and discovered true South I got to thinking about my panel array. A picture is worth 1000 words so here's my preliminary thinking:

Own work

[mickthemaverick]

It doesn't matter if it's not spot on Mick, our panels are facing south east just means you get max power earlier in the day but they are still good for the rest of the day.

Peter

I understand that Peter but it is an engineering challenge to maximise the output. Bearing in mind we have in house metal fabrication skills and step motor control technology in our pocket I fancy trying the idea out, although I do foresee planning issues arising !!

[Peter.N.]

Fair enough, do what makes you feel best.

Peter

[Gibbo2286]

Just make sure it's secure enough not to end up in the next street in a gale.

I've seen commercial set ups designed to follow the sun.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottsnow ... 1a3e231fc4

[bobins]

How's about something like this sticking out the top of your house ? You'd have to build a Bond villain's lair in your shed to go with it though

Man With The Golden Gun - fair use

[mickthemaverick]

That may even have been what gave me the idea in the first place bobins! I did think about strapping wings on my car from the same source!!

[Rp0thejester]

Mick, aren't you at the Chelsea game??