[Leica] Solar Power

[John McMaster]

Thanks, I think there must be some sort of ban on them around here. Given it is the south of France you very rarely see a solar panel...

john

-----Original Message-----

We installed a system a few years ago. Because we have a complex roof and panels which are in partial shade reduce that generated by the whole set, for some reason, we have 2 zones, each has an inverter to convert the DC to UK spec AC which is then metered and connected to the house AC system. Any electricity we use effectively is our own generated power, if we are using more than we generate the extra is metered and billed for, if we are using less than we generate we export the extra into the UK electricity grid.
We are paid around £0.48 for every kWh we generate whether we export it or use it.
Last year we fitted a device which measures the flow of electricity and redirects any excess to a heat store so now we normally use all the electricity we generate, though in England the excess is small and the new gadget will take a long time to pay for itself… The installation itself will have paid its capital cost in around 7 years.
I was in two minds whether to do the installation based on economics, so I looked at it as a new gadget and then it was OK to spend the money. It has turned out to be well worth it in fact.
Sorry to butt in :)
Frank D.


> On 15 Feb 2016, at 08:29, John McMaster <john at mcmaster.fr> wrote:
> 
> I suppose I meant to ask how is it converted/stored as electricity? 
> 
> John
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> 
> Everything that uses electricity: lights, charging batteries, television, stove, washer/drier, TV, etc. our hot water is the only thing that uses gas. 
> 
> Bob Adler
> Robert Adler Photography
> www.robertadlerphotography.com
> 
>> On Feb 14, 2016, at 10:58 AM, John McMaster <john at mcmaster.fr> wrote:
>> 
>> What does it power, beyond heating water? Several countries (NZ and I think the UK) have heavily reduced their buy-back costs for surplus energy production....
>> 
>> john
>> ________________________________________
>> From:  Robert Adler <rgacpa at gmail.com>
>> 
>> Enjoy! We installed a few years ago and usually get a few dollars 
>> back at the end of each year. So our electricity costs are zero. What's not to love?
>> Hope it works as well for you Aram,
>> Bob
>> 
>>> On Sun, Feb 14, 2016 at 8:51 AM, Aram Langhans <leica_r8 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> We have just installed solar panels on the roof of our house.  We 
>>> are excited for what they can do when we eventually get some sun.  
>>> Here are a few shots from the installation process.
>>> 
>>> Doing the “I don’t have it, do you?” dance”"
>>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/2016+Misc/s/solar-7987.jpg.htm
>>> l I don’t  have it, do you?  Nope, you must  have it...
>>> 
>>> 
>>> First row complete:
>>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/2016+Misc/s/solar-7980.jpg.htm
>>> l
>>> 
>>> Finishing touches:
>>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/2016+Misc/s/solar-7990.jpg.htm
>>> l
>>> 
>>> We did finally get a sunny day or two since the installation:
>>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/2016+Misc/s/solar-8005.jpg.htm
>>> l
>>> 
>>> But we are back into the February doldrums again.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Comments welcome
>>> 
>>> Aram
>>> 
>>> Aram Langhans
>>> (Semi) Retired Science Teacher
>>> & Unemployed photographer
>>> 
>