solar with no inverters

[Repeat]

Reroofing a slate barn in our yard this year, i was going to put the slates back on the north facing side, also the yard side, and tin or fibre cement the south east side then put approx 10kw of panels on to help pay for it.
Two questions -
what size is a standard panel and does it matter which way round they go ? not sure how many i will get on but i could make the roof bigger with an overhang.
i have a 10 kw turbine and the inverters seem to be the weak link, is it possible to wire the solar directly to our farm water heaters which are 10kw and just use the DC to replace bought electric at 14p / 7 p night rate . is this economic now panel prices are lower and we would have no inverters.
probably a daft idea but just a thought i had.
thanks

 

[Lincsman]

Possibly, but the potential total voltage must not exceed the heaters max voltage to start with, (I think its 8 for 240v???) but then can you not sell the electric and buy it back and end up better off even with an inverter?

 

[Exfarmer]

10 Kw will take 65 sq metres roughly, may squeeze them into a bit less if you are lucky.
They do not matter which way they lay.
As for running without inverters , not sure how you would do this
Firstly the power is DC, most electrical equipment is designed for AC except 12 & 24 volt DC vehicle equipment.
However voltage ex panel will vary between 0 and 50 volts depending on sunlight levels.
You will not be able to claim FITs if the panels are not installed properly so I doubt the scheme is viable.
However if you are not looking for FITs it may be possible to buy some second hand gear which has no value since FITs cannot be claimed on this kit.
However be wary of anything as it may have been lifted in the night, although this has not been a big issue

 

[Solar Steve]

The average size of a panel is 1m x 1.6m. It doesn't matter which way around they go.
You will need an inverter to make the best use of the electric you will produce. As stated, panels produce DC, most stuff uses AC. Your inverter makes that change. I've never heard of anyone having solar PV and not having an inverter before.
When you say that your inverter for your wind turbine is the weak link, what exactly do you mean?

 

[Repeat]

we have a bergey 10kw turbine and it has been fine although we do not have as good a site as i thought . it ways out of the wind more than it should.
it is 3 phase and this is the cause of our problems , one of the original inverters had a faulty display, swapped,then fuses started blowing in strong winds, eventually the fuse boxes fused and had to be replaced. now have new box for 1500 quid which regulates voltage and the system is finally working properly.
we 3 4kw water heaters in the barn in question

 

[Repeat]

Possibly, but the potential total voltage must not exceed the heaters max voltage to start with, (I think its 8 for 240v???) but then can you not sell the electric and buy it back and end up better off even with an inverter?

yes i am sure your right, just thought with panel prices coming down the inverters must be a large part of a system quote and have the shortest life span in it.

 

[Zetor]

i have a 10 kw turbine and the inverters seem to be the weak link, is it possible to wire the solar directly to our farm water heaters which are 10kw and just use the DC to replace bought electric at 14p / 7 p night rate . is this economic now panel prices are lower and we would have no inverters.
probably a daft idea but just a thought i had.
thanks

You'll probably find the inverters will be more reliable with solar as the work load (voltage & amps) will be more consistent compared to wind.

 

[renewablejohn]

If you ask the question on the navitron forum you will find members who have actually done this and are more concerned about living off grid and saving money rather than can we screw the system and get paid fit's.

 

[Lincsman]

If you ask the question on the navitron forum you will find members who have actually done this and are more concerned about living off grid and saving money rather than can we screw the system and get paid fit's.

They are only going to save money once the panels and interest is paid off, which can be a while, and in the past the inverter wouldnt make it.

 

[Nearly]

I'm looking at a small 24v DC turbine on my windy hilltop and 24v dc immersion heater element.
They are available.
I just hope my water cylinder has 2 holes for heaters - unlikely.
2nd cylinder then.....

 

[Lincsman]

I'm looking at a small 24v DC turbine on my windy hilltop and 24v dc immersion heater element.
They are available.
I just hope my water cylinder has 2 holes for heaters - unlikely.
2nd cylinder then.....

You can with this;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Immersion-Heater-Flange-surface-bio-diese/dp/B008C8T9CW

 

[Nearly]

You can with this;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Immersion-Heater-Flange-surface-bio-diese/dp/B008C8T9CW

Interesting, but a bit short of flat surfaces on tank.

 

[Y Fan Wen]

http://www.hotfoil.com/article_12_Type-ELP-Heating-Panels.cfm

I know this is 120/240v but elsewhere they say that they can produce to any voltage.. I have a 8 foot 700w tape wrapped round my copper cylinder and fed off the water turbine. No thermostat but a time switch set to roughly balance demand, with the mains immersion for boost.
I could disconnect the immersion from the mains and use its thermostat to control the tape but it works well enough and apathy rules!

 

[Lincsman]

Interesting, but a bit short of flat surfaces on tank.

Its only copper, I'm sure it will pull flat if you do it on the side wall and use a stubby horizontal heater

PS its done all the time for power shower supplies that MUST be air free.