solar panels

Solar panels

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:28:27 +0100

I can now really see the financial improvement. my total gas/electricity monthly DD's were £76 - they are now £40 - and I have had rebates of over £350.

Comments

Solar panels

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:08:26 +0200

The progress continues - by mid September my meter read 65274 which means that until then I had taken no electricity from the grid for 7 months. At that point the meter started going up again and now (Oct4) reads 65301. The paels are still producing up to 0.8 Kwh a day but obviously I am using more as the days get shorter and colder!

Comments

solar panels

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:01:24 +0200

I have been negligent in blogging this. I had the photovoltaic panels installed 12 weeks ago - cost £10,000 - there is a grant - about 50% - but there is only enough money each month for about 500 people and several thousands apply!!
I have 2 meters - one the normal one connected to the grid - the other showing what is being produced by the panels. In the 12 weeks my panels have produced more than I use every day and the rest has been fed back to the grid - for which my supplier pays me (I gather) 7p per unit; I think there are suppliers who pay more; since the panels have been working my grid meter has gone steadily backwards - at the begining it read 65522 and it now reads 65394. So I am pleased and my account with Edf is nicely in credit!
I must stress that I live alone and am not a huge electricity user.

Comments

solar panels

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:10:26 +0100

I have now, at last, had a gas bill! From April - Oct 2006 my bill was £55. The previous 3 years for that period bills were between £120 and £130 each year.
Remember the panels weren't installed till June 2006

I am now about to start on photo-voltaic panels for electricity! More on this later as I am still negotiating the contract

Comments

Solar panels

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 13:35:54 +0200

All still going according to plan - I have the gas on for about 1 hour, 2 or 3 times a week. Will give an update at the end of the year

Comments

title-1087353

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 07:15:50 +0200

I have now had the panels for 12 weeks; I have used an average of 1.3 units of gas per week over that time - that covers water, a small amount of central heating and a gas hob. Over the last 3 years, during this same period, I was using 6-7 units per week.

Comments

Solar Panels

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 08:59:58 +0200

GAS PRICES GOING UP AGAIN! I have now had my solar panels for 7 weeks and I have used 4.5 units of gas in that time. In each of the last 3 years , for this period, I would have used, 45, 38 or 48 units - so that is a reduction in gas (and money!) of around 90%.I know the weather has been exceptional - and I know the saving will be much much less in the winter - but it is worth thinking about.
££££££££££

Comments

title-906828

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 07:17:26 +0200

I am going to be away for 2 weeks plus so will continue when I get back.

Comments

Solar panels

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 07:46:51 +0200

Now 2 weeks on I am really getting the hang of this heating. During a 'sun/cloud' day the panels heat up less than on an all sun day - and the temperature in the tank doesn't get above 50 -55 - but this is plenty hot enough; an all cloud + rain day it may well be below 50 in the morning but has never been as low as this by the evening. Having the gas on for 1 hour is more than enough if a lot of hot water is needed early in the morning after a very cloudy day.
My gas usage for 2 weeks is 1.99 units - a reduction from 10-12 units in previous years; so a saving of 80%; if this holds up I can begin to believe the claim of a 40% over the year

Comments

Solar Panels

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 08:11:10 +0200

I have now had the solar panels in use for a week; 7 days ago I had a new hotwater tank fitted, together with all the necessary piping connecting it to the panels on the roof; the water gas heater was then switched off - though I can, of course , use it if and when I wish.
It has, of course, been a spectacularly hot and sunny week! and if the system doesn't work now, it never will! However, that said, I have never had such hot water before and have to be careful not to scald myself in the shower,
The hot tank has a series of buttons to press so that I can see what the temp is (in degrees C) a) in the panels b) at the bottom of the tank c) at the top of the tank. After the first day the temperature in the tank has never fallen below 41 at the botom and 54 at the top - rising at times to nearly 70.
My gas usage for the week (my hob is gas) has been 0.62 unit. This time 3,2 and 1 years ago it was 6.65, 5.67 and 7.77 units.
Today it has been raining for nearly 4 hours so I shall be interested to watch the temperature. More next week

Comments

Solar panels

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 11:42:26 +0200

TThis blog is for those who either want to reduce the price they pay for gas or electricity - or for those who want to help reduce global warming; I am interested in both. I have just had solar panels fitted to the roof of my bungalow; tomorrow I have a new hot water tank fitted - then the system should begin to work.
I shall keep everyone updated on my gas consumption and my hot water! I do not intend to publicise the company I am using but will give the address to anyone who asks, via a comment, and who gives me their email address. I have no axe to grind and no hidden agenda - except to inform anyone who is interested of my experience. More data to follow in the next day or two on my previous consumption etc. I am in my 70,s and a retired nurse.

Comments

Solar panels

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 11:32:38 +0200

Comments