Solar panels on new shed
- Thread starter MikeNeaverson
- Start date
Has anyone looked closer into due to the increased energy prices? Have a 1000sqm grainstore ridge line running North - South and use electric year round with coldstore and washing line for the swedes. Thinking solar could be a wise investment but not finding much info on the net
- Location
- Northumberland
1st question is what is your average daily useage for each month of the year & how much are you paying for leccy
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
Depends where you are. Panels facing east west will give a more usable output at the expense of 85% lower production which is most noticeable in the winter period
Grainstores do not normally have a large power requirement but washing lines do.. does the line operate all year?
Do you have 3 phase if not your ability to fit solar will be severely limited.
Can you get any other usage say domestic to come off it?
The benefits are greatly enhanced the more power you can use, although export prices are very good at the moment, I would be amazed if they stay high that long. Also just be aware getting the export flows metered has just taken me a year on a site
Too add, we’re using about 13000 kWh a month in spring and summer (we have an electric borehole for irrigation) and about 6000kwh a month in autumn and winter. Paying 15.4p/ kWh and 8p/kWh off peak, contract runs out in August 23 but want to be thinking ahead. We’ve got 3 phase and would be coming off it. Washing lines and coldstores are nearly running year round.
Thanks for the advice
Thanks for the advice
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
Go for it!
- Location
- Northumberland
as a guide this is the approximate monthly yield you can expect for every 10KW panels installed.
If you overlay this as a graph over your monthly demand it should give an idea of the size of installation to give the best return/ savings
If you overlay this as a graph over your monthly demand it should give an idea of the size of installation to give the best return/ savings
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
That is I think the average for south facing panels?
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
They vary, but you should allow at least 2 sq metres for 400 watt so about 50 sq metres for 10 Kw.
Dont forget you need to leave 500 mm at the edge of the roof
Dont forget you need to leave 500 mm at the edge of the roof
- Location
- Yorks
So reading last few posts, what does 10kw system with battery storage cost?
Kentishfarmer
Member
How longs a piece of string? One thing I've found out since I've started looking into solar is that you will end up having to get your head around a lot of the detail & complexity.
Battery storage is one of the most expensive parts of the system so the size of storage you choose will have a huge impact on cost. Lots of different Battery brands & styles at different prices.
Installation costs, what type of roof are you installing it on, access, will the roof outlast the solar panels etc can all ad £Ks quickly
- Location
- Yorks
Yea, thought it was a piece of string question!
just mid install a 25kw solar /30kw battery system to power x2 farmhouses and x2 ev’s
payback was 3-4 yrs at 19p/kw (our rate until April 23 but looking more like 40p plus at renewal that payback time will half !
no brainier………. if you can get hardware right now
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Do you buy batteries for summers day (thinking you wouldnt use it all at night) or average winter day?
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
If you have a couple of EVs doing a fair mileage then the large battery is going to be essential unless they are going to be parked at home midday, such as doing a lot of school runs.
Remember 75% of the power through the year is produced during the hours 10-2
Kentishfarmer
Member
How have you powered 2 properties off of one system? Are they on the same phase or have you got 2 inverters? Or split the array in 2?
Been debating how you do this on DIY solar forums
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
Not really off topic, but with the increase is electricity prices, they will be paying more for the power we feed back in from our panels, won't they??
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
Depends if you have an export meter, even just a Smart meter. If you are on presumed export then you are on the presumed price,
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
It is far more efficient to be supplying as many properties as you can, then a greater chance of using your own power to the full.
The use of 3 phase charging and heating will help even out the phases