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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
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Renewable Energy: Quote comparison

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    • CommentAuthorMikel
    • CommentTimeAug 5th 2015
     
    @niallcook

    Looking at our data, I estimate that we are using about 30% of our PV generation, roughly 3800kWh pa, (not easy to be precise as we don't have an export meter). The house is occupied during the day. We have a GSHP which also does DHW and a solar thermal DHW system.

    I don't find the PV is a good match for our GSHP. If we get sun in winter, the house heats naturally during the day and we don't switch the heating on till late october, when the PV generation is dropping away rapidly. Spring (Mar/Apr) is the only time the PV would help with the GSHP.

    If you have a PV diverter to a hot water tank, that would use your PV generation quite well. Otherwise, the biggest change you can make is through changing behaviour. Use the cooker, dishwasher and tumble dryer sequentially during the middle of the day and try to cut down on their use if possible. Also turn down the thermostat until the occupants start complaining and then tweak it back up until they stop!!
    • CommentAuthorringi
    • CommentTimeAug 5th 2015
     
    Mikel,

    I think your issue is you have a solar thermal DHW, so you can't use your PV to heat water when the sun is out using your GSHP. On that bases what is the real rate of return on your solar thermal taking into account the unused PV output.
    • CommentAuthorniallcook
    • CommentTimeAug 6th 2015
     
    @Mikel: Thanks for that. We may well look at a Solar iBoost or similar once everything is up and running, but take on board your point about changing behaviour. I think @ringi has a point about your solar thermal.
    • CommentAuthorMikel
    • CommentTimeAug 6th 2015
     
    @ringi, @niallcook,

    Yes, that is a good point about the solar thermal. I was thinking of heating in my comment above. I've had another look at my data but because we get some solar thermal warming of the DHW in Winter prior to using the heat pump to boost to 50C, I cannot give any accurate figures for the GSHP component of hot water from a cold feed.

    We have an estimated DHW demand pa of 3000 kWh and we use about 200 kWh from the GSHP and weekly immersion boost to 60C in the Winter and that is for 305L dual coil hot water tank. The solar thermal takes care of the rest of the DHW demand. You should get a similar effect from a PV diverter.
    • CommentAuthorniallcook
    • CommentTimeAug 6th 2015
     
    Well, I don't seem to be able to find any reason not to go with the cheaper quote, so have given them the go ahead to get the planning applications in. Will keep you posted on progress. Apparently our heat pump is SmartGrid ready, but I've no idea whether that is likely to help us or not with solar PV.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeAug 6th 2015 edited
     
    Posted By: niallcookApparently our heat pump is SmartGrid ready, but I've no idea whether that is likely to help us or not with solar PV.
    Not heard that term, but suspect that it means it can be remotely stopped and started.
    I also suspect that we will hear a lot about appliances that are 'smart meter ready', even if there is not an agreed standard or protocol for them yet.

    http://uksmartgrid.org/
  7.  
    Just means that there is more of your home equipment that can be hacked into.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeAug 7th 2015 edited
     
    Yes, there is more and more being written about this problem.
    This weeks comic has an article about hacking a city.
  9.  
    between Windows 10, drive rless cars, smart grids, meters and appliances, we are steadily moving towards a future where every aspect of ones life is open to surveillance and invasion of privacy. We never learn.
    •  
      CommentAuthorjoe90
    • CommentTimeAug 7th 2015 edited
     
    I am off to the country with my abacus and scythe ! ( seriously though I have just bought a scythe as I am fed up with the noise and pollution of a petrol strimmer and find using a scythe very calming).
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeAug 7th 2015
     
    Really, not the first :bigsmile:
      Joe 90.jpg
    •  
      CommentAuthorjoe90
    • CommentTimeAug 7th 2015
     
    I do wish I looked like that with my shirt off (so does swmbo) 😍

    Nick, you crack me up.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeAug 7th 2015
     
    Well at least you have your safety glasses on :cool:

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