Solar panel questions

jerseycowsman

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
cornwall
Hi guys, I’ve bought a farm with an array of panels on the dairy roof. I’ve got the FIT payments successfully transferred to me. But that’s about all I know. It looks like there’s a meter to measure how much is generated, will that just get knocked off what I use? Or how does it work. How many kWh do you think an array like that in SE Cornwall will generate?
EE9C7ED1-B1D9-4C48-AF4C-3F8844F2AD30.jpeg
1E618A4C-7DC8-4151-80B6-F4618CBA187F.jpeg
EE9C7ED1-B1D9-4C48-AF4C-3F8844F2AD30.jpeg
ADF5CD61-B7A8-42C4-B17A-2BFA4A699DC4.jpeg
1E618A4C-7DC8-4151-80B6-F4618CBA187F.jpeg
598A526F-95AE-4C4C-9B11-172A30A47A44.jpeg
 

upnortheast

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Northumberland
Way they usually work simple explanation - the feed from the panels is connected direct into your supply after your mains meter. Because the solar inverters send the power out at a slightly higher voltage (pressure ) than mains the solar leccy is used first, so you mains meter doesn't turn.
The meter in your pic is recording your solar production regardless of how it is used. Bigger arrays may have a extra export meter.
You are paid fit on all your production. If array is under 30kw they assume you use 50% so pay export for 50% If over 30kw you will have an export meter. and paid on that reading.
You also benefit from the solar power you use on site which means your leccy bill will be less.
Do you know the size of your array. ? Each panel will probably be about 1/4 KW the orientation , angle & any shading are relevant when predicting output
 

An Gof

Member
Location
Cornwall
Hi guys, I’ve bought a farm with an array of panels on the dairy roof. I’ve got the FIT payments successfully transferred to me. But that’s about all I know. It looks like there’s a meter to measure how much is generated, will that just get knocked off what I use? Or how does it work. How many kWh do you think an array like that in SE Cornwall will generate?View attachment 936721View attachment 936723View attachment 936721View attachment 936722View attachment 936723View attachment 936724

Pelynt area? 😉
 

Exfarmer

Member
Location
Bury St Edmunds
Hi
northeast has given a good basic explanation
however, i think that meter pictured, is your import meter, but I could be wrong.
You need to be registered with a FIt provider.
you will need to provide fit readings every 3 months
do not worry if you miss a reading as it will be credited next time.
The FIT production had nothing to do with import and you can be registered with totally different companies for the two
it does lokk like you have a sub 30kw install so exports are 50% of FIT production
any help please shout
dont believe anything that DIFTK says about me 😀
 

onesiedale

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Derbyshire
Apologies for hijacking thread but some more solar q's
We have a south facing roof 90' x 20'
Underneath the roof is a cold store. Is it a simple job for solar panels to power the fridge?
Would it be economically viable?
Do FiTs still exist?
What would be approx cost of installation and potential savings/returns?
 

Exfarmer

Member
Location
Bury St Edmunds
Apologies for hijacking thread but some more solar q's
We have a south facing roof 90' x 20'
Underneath the roof is a cold store. Is it a simple job for solar panels to power the fridge?
Would it be economically viable?
Do FiTs still exist?
What would be approx cost of installation and potential savings/returns?
On this roof you should be able to get about 40 Kw of solar panels
it is most definitrly not possible to directly power fridges.
you will need a mains connection and the solar will assist the supply.
There are no longer any FIT payments.
if you are running a large fridge, it will most definitely pay to install
cost will be in the order of £35-40 K
savings will depend on usage
 

upnortheast

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Northumberland
Be a good start to get your sparky to put a temporary meter on your cold room supply a then read the meter every week. Then you will have some actual numbers to calculate viability of spending ££ on panels. @Exfarmer has a lot of data on seasonal variations of solar production . I suspect there will be better roc looking at heat recovery from your cold store compressor
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 77 43.5%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 62 35.0%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 28 15.8%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.7%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.7%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 4 2.3%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

  • 1,286
  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
Top