Solar Power

Old Mar 3rd 2015, 12:08 pm
  #31  
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Default Re: Solar Power

We use solar to heat water and it is recommended that when we are away for long periods that we cover the panel.
As we and others have found out failure to do scan result in the seals blowing as the fluid reaches extremely high temps.
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Old Mar 3rd 2015, 10:07 pm
  #32  
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Default Re: Solar Power

Originally Posted by BillBullock
I like MrBife's setup but would worry about the excess heat produced in the typical Algarve summer. Some of the hot water could be used to heat the swimming pool (7500 litres) until that that got too hot. Could the solar panels be screened effectively from the solar rays I wonder?
Note that "solar panel" means electricity producing silicon thing, and "solar collector" [which looks the same at a distance] is the kind with water in it.
I don't mean to be picky, but there is often confusion as discussions jump from one to the other.

If the collectors are set at a 60 degree angle [closer to upright than lying down], they will get maximum radiation in winter, but less in summer.
That would be the thing to do for a large system [like you would need for space heating].
Most collectors are set at a 30 degree angle, which is the best setting for grid tied photovoltaic [electricity producing] panels.
Hot water solar collectors at 30 degrees get very hot [often too hot] in summer, but do little or nothing in winter.
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Old Feb 20th 2016, 1:45 pm
  #33  
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Smile Re: Solar Power

Originally Posted by Lazza Parks
HI,

I have seen some posts already on solar power. My interest is that I have a solar business (specialising in PV) in Ayamonte, just on the border with East Algarve.

I notice that in Algarve the existing installers offer excessively expensive options, and some are clearly rip-off merchants.

Hence as we've been working driving down costs in a depressed spanish market I was thinking of offering our solutions to expats in the Algarve.

Obviously i'm not going to use the forum for self-promotion, but I'd like to know where members suggest would be the best places to promote our solutions? What forums, magazines, newspapers?

Is there much interest in general for solar power amongst the expat community?

Thanks alot

I live just over the border from Ayamonte. I am interested in Solar electricity.
Where is your business in Ayamonte? I want to know how any panels would make me self sufficient. I have a 3 bed house with pool. Can I sell back electric to the grid

Thanks Phil
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Old Feb 20th 2016, 2:09 pm
  #34  
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Default Re: Solar Power

Originally Posted by Castromarim
We are able to change the angle of the panel on our solar water system.
Not by a huge amount but enough to make a difference in winter.
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Old Feb 20th 2016, 2:35 pm
  #35  
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Default Re: Solar Power

Can you tell where you are in Ayamonte please. Thanks
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Old Feb 23rd 2016, 10:22 am
  #36  
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Default Re: Solar Power

HI- well it's near Ayamonte really, we´re based in Lepe, I live in near Pozo del Camino
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Old Apr 3rd 2016, 9:58 am
  #37  
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Default Re: Solar Power

I am interested to know if there are any subsidies in Portugal for solar power as i thought with all the cut backs that they had stopped? I have been pondering about having solar panels/solar water heating for a while but like some of the people on this forum I found it to be cost prohibitive due to being unable to find a supplier that was reasonably priced. We have solar panel in the UK & it is very easy to work everything out price wise about what you generate& what you get back frim the FIT (feed in tariff).
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Old Apr 3rd 2016, 11:03 am
  #38  
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Default Re: Solar Power

Originally Posted by alf1956
I am interested to know if there are any subsidies in Portugal for solar power as i thought with all the cut backs that they had stopped? I have been pondering about having solar panels/solar water heating for a while but like some of the people on this forum I found it to be cost prohibitive due to being unable to find a supplier that was reasonably priced. We have solar panel in the UK & it is very easy to work everything out price wise about what you generate& what you get back frim the FIT (feed in tariff).
EDP has been pushing its pv solar schemes for some time.
The fit schemes are nothing like the old UK schemes.
The UK government slashed them for new installations in January.
Solar water panels are not subsidised , just shop around.
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Old Apr 5th 2016, 12:36 pm
  #39  
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Default Re: Solar Power

exciting thread...
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Old Apr 5th 2016, 1:04 pm
  #40  
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Default Re: Solar Power

It can only be a matter of time before small, high capacity batteries reach the market.
Once that happens there will be a revolution in the solar PV .
It will no longer be a case of FIT but in the domestic market being able to store your surplys energy for the evenings or when you need it.
Of course the major generators of power may have something to say about that.
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Old Apr 5th 2016, 9:18 pm
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Default Re: Solar Power

Originally Posted by EMR
It can only be a matter of time before small, high capacity batteries reach the market.
Once that happens there will be a revolution in the solar PV .
It will no longer be a case of FIT but in the domestic market being able to store your surplys energy for the evenings or when you need it.
Of course the major generators of power may have something to say about that.
Elon Musk (of Tesla cars) is planning to sell batteries specifically to store solar-generated electricity. This is a spin-off from the investment in efficient battery technology he is making to power his cars. "The system is called Powerwall, and Tesla will sell the 7kWh unit for $3,000 (£1,954), while the 10kWh unit will retail for $3,500 (£2,275) to installers."
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Old Apr 6th 2016, 7:37 pm
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Default Re: Solar Power

Solar panels are for heating and Pv for electric we used a company that used black metal panels to heat our underfloor and hot water great system they did Pv for our electric as well our bills are nothing based in the Algarve been here over 14 years
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Old Apr 6th 2016, 9:14 pm
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Default Re: Solar Power

Originally Posted by morgan1970
Solar panels are for heating and Pv for electric we used a company that used black metal panels to heat our underfloor and hot water great system they did Pv for our electric as well our bills are nothing based in the Algarve been here over 14 years
They sound useful - can we all have their name please ?
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Old Apr 7th 2016, 7:05 am
  #44  
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Default Re: Solar Power

Our neighbor has a very smart set of Pv panels and Solar water heating system which has been in place several years. This system heats his pool and house water and generates electricity. It's a very cool efficient system. He did his research bought carefully and searched until he got a reasonable price for installation.

The downside is that unlike Germany and other 'smart' countries he can't sell his excess electricity bank to EDP (or other). Portugal is not buying electricity. If they did then his home would be virtually cost free and even generate income. I have a EDP pamphlet in my sweaty little hands here on the desk informing all solar homes generating electricity that they will accept the 'excess' BUT no offer the BUY it.

The other challenge is the lack of affordable 'deep house' batteries. If you amortize the retail current cost of purchase, shipping, installation creating a safe space to store these batteries you don't get a reasonable ROI until after the life of the battery is spent.
After reading this thread we did the math last night.
And so it goes in Portugal at the moment. If purchasing the excess electricity generated comes into being then we'll all be pig-solar-heaven. From My-Lips-To-Gods-Ears
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Old Apr 7th 2016, 7:06 am
  #45  
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Default Re: Solar Power

Cost free as in utility costs.
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