The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Renewables => Topic started by: ellisr on September 19, 2011, 12:22:36 pm
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I work for a renewables company and received this in an email today so thought I would share it
http://www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk/newsletter.php?s_eng=newsletter_19sept11&ref=news2&issue=19sept11&account=51480acdd8be4861e100acd3be1da964 (ftp://www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk/newsletter.php?s_eng=newsletter_19sept11&ref=news2&issue=19sept11&account=51480acdd8be4861e100acd3be1da964)
If you can't open it see my post below with the paragraph of interest in it
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can't open it as we have no "permission" ???
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ooops never thought of that!!!
Here we go I will just copy it over......
Your solar panels will still work come Winter.
Despite the UK averaging around 48% overcast days in the year, solar panels, both the electricity generating kind (or photovoltaic to give them their proper name) and solar hot water panels continue to operate.
But what about the Winter?
Surprisingly, solar panels work even better - especially after a fall of snow. Providing the panel itself isn't covered, the amount of light produced by reflecting snow makes it ideal generating weather.
Solar panels also operate more efficiently in the cold - something to do with the cooling effect allowing for higher voltages being produced which results in higher wattage.
Providing the panels are clear of snow themselves, which might sound like a chore but given they should be south facing, then they'll melt off pretty quickly.
Some owners have gone to ingenious lengths, constructing extendable brushes to clear the snow off. Be careful though that you don't scratch the panel surface or put your safety at risk by over-reaching or using ladders etc to gain access.
Most owners just wait for the sun to melt any accumulation naturally.
One other thing you might be able to enquire about is solar panels that may have an additional coating which aids dirt and deposit washing off through natural rainfall.
A bit like the coatings you can now get on self-cleaning glass - very popular with glass roof conservatories - helping your panels maximise your return.
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i cant open it either :farmer:
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i cant open it either :farmer:
It is in my post above
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we both posted at the same time ;) :farmer: and your fingers will be quicker than my left index finger ;)
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Now I need a little 'smiley' that has a t-shirt over his head and running round. I never type faster than anyone :thumbsup:
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I love the idea of the sun melting an accumulation of snow from the pv cells :D. Last winter our south-facing roof was under a couple of feet of snow for the best part of 2 months, with little or no melting, certainly no clear areas. The only place it melted was near the chimney, then it burst the cast iron down pipe with a loud bang when the water refroze.
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Our next door neighbours (south facing) panels were covered in snow for the best part of a month - even in beautiful sunshine... but it was -15 even during the day....
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Thanks for posting this - I was worried about that as we will have no direct sun for the winter months due to some industrial forest on the hill. About to sign up this week after lots and lots of visits from salesmen...can't wait now to get going! :&>
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good to know, we're thinking of having solar put on the roof (we have a nice expanse of south facing roof).
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has anybody else noticed that the quality of the sales people for solar PV has moved from "expert" to "get on this bandwagon chav" ? I went to the exhibition at Wembley last week and I knew more about the systems than they did!
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yup, some have no clue, double glazing salesmen or worse in their real life ::)
some were really good or at least make an effort to get all the questions answered by phoning the boss ;D
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I work with a product called solar slate as the PV panel part of our business is commercial but I think I know more about the biomass boilers than either of the solar products. I am quite lucky to have information like above emailed to me daily so I can share.
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Having recently spent seven weeks on holiday dragging the shed around europe , I was gobsmacked to see the tremendous numbers of wind generator turbines and PV solar farms as well as everybody and their aunt having them on their houses and farm buildings .
Most local authorities seem to have done it as well .
What did intrigue me is that not all PV systems were on south facing roof's several roof's had tiered runs of panels to make a greater surface area presented to the sun .
By the simple addition of stand off brackets many a roof facing east of west were adapted to make the panels face almost south .
I've not seen hide nor hair of the adaptors here in the UK and was turned down for getting my roof done because of it . I have over 200 sq mtrs of east or west facing roof so you can see the advantages of my locating the adaptors and the companies who use / install them.
Have any of you guys and gals any info of availabiluity of such angled presenters in the UK ??
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I know they are available but more for commercial settings, planners get a bit of a state in this country about using them on houses
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I think they may be concerned about the weight placed on a roof - perhaps joists/roof beams might need re-inforcing?
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The weight has to be taken into account for any PV panel in any setting so that is not the reason the planners don't favour them. It is more a problem with the way they look when angled
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The weight has to be taken into account for any PV panel in any setting so that is not the reason the planners don't favour them. It is more a problem with the way they look when angled
do planners look different when they are angled
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Planners always look at them to see if they have a greater impact on the property and surrounding area, Some areas are better than others but if you are in a sensitive area they are really strict. The company I work for has designed and manufactured a solar panel that looks like a slate to try and help people in sensitive areas or with listed properties
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Ellisr, I am investigating solar power for a single storey cottage i intend to reonvate, it has no power at all and i don't fancy the cost of running power lines to it, I think i would like to go down the 'no bill' route anyway, the one you mention that 'looks like a slate tile' would be a fab idea, any further info would be gratefully received
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Juno I have sent you a PM about that company
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Thankyou x
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The optimum angle for solar collectors in the Winter months is 50 degrees from horizontal. As most roofs are 30 degrees it may explain why the snow cover isn't melting.