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Renewable Energy: solar no grid tie

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    • CommentAuthorCJT
    • CommentTimeJul 13th 2023
     
    Hopefully i will explain this correctly. New build Sips, remote no gas. Its now getting past decision time and i can't get answers ! I have a small farm within my parents farm. My parents have approx 100 pv panels over 2 buildings on a old fits package, very little of this solar is used on the farm. My ideal would be to take a supply for the new build from this and add batteries. I would put a meter in line and compensate my parents for usage. My problem here if that's a option is should i pull from the grid in winter can i distinguish via a meter pv from solar ? The incoming grid power is paid for by our onsite brewery which i have just leased out to a third party, Complicated !!

    My 2nd option is to take my grid power from my own building which has a separate supply, I could do this via a meter as again a 3rd party pays for the incoming supply as i lease that too. Doing this would mean me installing pv on the new build. Not being the incoming customer that takes the option off being grid tied away. In my research this also takes any option of E7 or night rate away as i haven't been able to find that type of meter for me to buy that recognises it. So if i was using cheap electric i would be compensating my tenant normal rate for it.

    This leads me to think if non of the above are options i should look at going off grid. Our present 400 year old 4 bed draughty house (2 gas boilers, ufh, all led lighting, gas hob, electric oven) averages out at £175pm so we are not big energy users. Taking this to the new build 0.13 (W/m2k) should reduce that cost but i am worried if i install ASHP it may increase. Hence solar.

    In the bigger picture i realise to spend money on insulation is the start, but how much is enough ? 142mm kingspan TEK plus 50mm kingspan inside ?? Saps survey in progress. Its all about making the right (informed) decisions.

    Many thanks.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeJul 13th 2023
     
    It might be easier to understand the possibilities with a diagram or two?

    You might want to consider the possibilities if and when you come to consider selling the new house, or even letting it to somebody else, in terms of how it gets power.

    With regard to your existing house, it might be clearer to think about the number of kWh per year you use both for gas and for electricity, rather than just a combined cost figure? And monthly figures are more useful than annual averages when it comes to working out the practicalities of PV panels and batteries, and the need or not for a grid connection.

    How much insulation you need is a different subject and would probably benefit from its own thread.
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeJul 13th 2023
     
    Adding a second (new) property to an existing FITs package may? present problems with the original FIT terms.
    • CommentAuthorCJT
    • CommentTimeJul 13th 2023
     
    Posted By: djhYou might want to consider the possibilities if and when you come to consider selling the new house, or even letting it to somebody else, in terms of how it gets power.


    I can't see me ever selling it, my only other option would be to deal with utilities and paying for half a mile of new supply to be put in by them.



    Posted By: djhWith regard to your existing house, it might be clearer to think about the number of kWh per year you use both for gas and for electricity, rather than just a combined cost figure? And monthly figures are more useful than annual averages when it comes to working out the practicalities of PV panels and batteries, and the need or not for a grid connection.

    I had a look only present octopus account and couldn't find the past usage, i maybe should have another look.

    Posted By: owlmanAdding a second (new) property to an existing FITs package may? present problems with the original FIT terms.

    If i could tap into the existing solar i wouldn't need new solar on the house so its only like using it. If i take the power from my supply there's no fits on that, although it would down the same line as the existing solar as the electricity board did tap into the original farm supply (pre meter) for mine !
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeJul 13th 2023
     
    Posted By: CJT
    Posted By: owlmanAdding a second (new) property to an existing FITs package may? present problems with the original FIT terms.

    If i could tap into the existing solar i wouldn't need new solar on the house so its only like using it.
    Most original FIT installations are paid for generation and have a generation meter installed to measure that. They are also paid for power exported to the grid, and that is usually deemed to be 50% of generation rather than go through the hassle and cost of installing the wiring and a second meter to measure the export. So I think Owlman is worried that there may be a clause in the original agreement that prevent additional usage on the deemed tariff. I don't know what the rules are either.

    I think Octopus make a full history of bills available.
    • CommentAuthorCJT
    • CommentTimeJul 13th 2023
     
    Posted By: djhI think Octopus make a full history of bills available.


    Looked again, there has been graphs available before maybe a glitch on the website. But the invoices are estimating my annual usage for gas and electric to be 20,867 kwh.

    Posted By: djhMost original FIT installations are paid for generation and have a generation meter installed to measure that. They are also paid for power exported to the grid, and that is usually deemed to be 50% of generation rather than go through the hassle and cost of installing the wiring and a second meter to measure the export. So I think Owlman is worried that there may be a clause in the original agreement that prevent additional usage on the deemed tariff. I don't know what the rules are either.


    Correct, 1 meter. I need to get hold of the contract to see but other than the (micro) brewery the farm doesn't use any electric. the farm house is on a separate meter. Would be such a opportunity if i could use the existing.
    • CommentAuthorCJT
    • CommentTimeJul 13th 2023
     
    Posted By: CJTLooked again, there has been graphs available before maybe a glitch on the website. But the invoices are estimating my annual usage for gas and electric to be 20,867 kwh.



    Just looked at the brewery for last year 6815kwh which was before i let it. This year with the new owner is looking like it may use around 10,000kwh. Thats paid from past invoices. Which raises another question we have no way of telling how much solar was used on top of that.
    • CommentAuthorphiledge
    • CommentTimeJul 13th 2023
     
    Have your parents surplus PV charge a battery then switch that battery to your place when you need the power. A half decent spark should be able to wire a timer controlling a couple of interlocked contractors to ensure the 2 house are never connected.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeJul 13th 2023
     
    Posted By: CJTLooked again, there has been graphs available before maybe a glitch on the website. But the invoices are estimating my annual usage for gas and electric to be 20,867 kwh.
    Looking at my account if I look at the menu I see an item 'My bills' and if I look at that I see every bill they've ever sent me with details of that month's consumption.

    As I said at the start a diagram or two might help. Showing all the electrical connections to the various buildings and the wiring in between. It seems clear you'll want to fit some more revenue grade meters at the least. Your parent's PV could potentially make you independent from the grid if you had a large enough battery but whether it makes financial sense is another question. You'll also need an itemised estimate of the consumption in your new house.

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