solar panels
Jul 1st 2018, 9:25 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: SHEFFIELD UK/CARVOEIRO PORTUGAL
Posts: 46
solar panels
Has anybody recently fitted solar panels? I do find it strange that in a country that has so many sunny days that more domestic properties do not have solar panels especially with the high cost of electricity. I know that a lot of properties do have the solar panel water heating systems installed.
Jul 1st 2018, 10:01 am
#2
I still dont believe it..
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: 12 degrees north
Posts: 2,777
Re: solar panels
Solar water heating is a no brainer. Solar power generation and storage is only currently financially viable as a grid replacement where they are subsidised or where you can take the capital hit and arent concerned by the cost of money over 25 years.
As a feed into the grid setup, they are cheaper but also really only make sense where grid power is expensive or again - it is subsidised.
Stand alone solar power makes sense if its sized and used correctly, led lighting, wired to small batteries and panels makes sense, using it for efficient fridges is justified but esp heating or running electric motors is expensive.
As battery tech improves, the equations may change, panels themselves are expensive but 25 years life is entitely normal, 20 years ago we were putting photovoltaic systems into places like remote airport light / radio beacons, the basic math was panels plus batteries plus control systems, 25 years life for the batteries, 50 years for the panels, 24 month maintenance, made it much cheaper than helicopter provided battery replacement, or miles of cables through jungle and other nasty terrain.
As a feed into the grid setup, they are cheaper but also really only make sense where grid power is expensive or again - it is subsidised.
Stand alone solar power makes sense if its sized and used correctly, led lighting, wired to small batteries and panels makes sense, using it for efficient fridges is justified but esp heating or running electric motors is expensive.
As battery tech improves, the equations may change, panels themselves are expensive but 25 years life is entitely normal, 20 years ago we were putting photovoltaic systems into places like remote airport light / radio beacons, the basic math was panels plus batteries plus control systems, 25 years life for the batteries, 50 years for the panels, 24 month maintenance, made it much cheaper than helicopter provided battery replacement, or miles of cables through jungle and other nasty terrain.
Last edited by uk_grenada; Jul 1st 2018 at 10:05 am.
Jul 1st 2018, 10:19 am
#3
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Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Halfway between Ricard & Absynthe
Posts: 4,291
Re: solar panels
I don't know if it's the case in Portugal, but here in France there are probably more rogue solar-panel salesmen and alleged installers, than there are days of strike or demonstration marches, i.e. a lot!
After having read up a great deal about solar generated electricity and solar panels, 2 years ago whilst at a local 'ideal-home' type exhibition I quizzed several different salesmen on what estimated loss of efficiency could be expected over 10 years due to general deterioration, dirt accumulation etc. I'm sure you can guess the answer from all of them. Nil deterioration! I then pulled out a detailed graph which I'd found during my research. Over 10 years there was a gradual loss from 100% down to 86%. Needless to say they dismissed that claim with a typical shrug of the shoulders saying that their product would not be affected, and no maintenance is ever required once installed. Yea, and if that's true I'll eat my neighbour's beret.....
Bottom line is, caution should be the keyword when dealing with many of these (probably ex double-glazing) salesmen and companies. Just Google solar pamel scam, or solar panel fraud. And be aware!
After having read up a great deal about solar generated electricity and solar panels, 2 years ago whilst at a local 'ideal-home' type exhibition I quizzed several different salesmen on what estimated loss of efficiency could be expected over 10 years due to general deterioration, dirt accumulation etc. I'm sure you can guess the answer from all of them. Nil deterioration! I then pulled out a detailed graph which I'd found during my research. Over 10 years there was a gradual loss from 100% down to 86%. Needless to say they dismissed that claim with a typical shrug of the shoulders saying that their product would not be affected, and no maintenance is ever required once installed. Yea, and if that's true I'll eat my neighbour's beret.....
Bottom line is, caution should be the keyword when dealing with many of these (probably ex double-glazing) salesmen and companies. Just Google solar pamel scam, or solar panel fraud. And be aware!
Last edited by Tweedpipe; Jul 1st 2018 at 10:25 am.
Jul 1st 2018, 10:26 am
#4
I still dont believe it..
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: 12 degrees north
Posts: 2,777
Re: solar panels
1, amorphous silicon does deteriorate over long periods, UV filtering is advised, and panels definitely need washing occasionally. Funnily enough rubbery clear silicone surfaces work best but are fragile to stone throwing but dont get sandblasted in the desert.
2, Yes solar power is the new double glazing, though i notice ikea now sell them - trustworthy?
3, Theres another gotcha, dont know if this happens outside the uk, but suppliers who take a cut from power companies or a cut from your feed in profits make you sign effectively a lease on the panels which are fixed / part of the structure. This lease gets recorded against the property which in the future makes loans against the property or some other financial property instruments impossible, as nobody who does them wants to understand or vie with someone elses lease or lien.
2, Yes solar power is the new double glazing, though i notice ikea now sell them - trustworthy?
3, Theres another gotcha, dont know if this happens outside the uk, but suppliers who take a cut from power companies or a cut from your feed in profits make you sign effectively a lease on the panels which are fixed / part of the structure. This lease gets recorded against the property which in the future makes loans against the property or some other financial property instruments impossible, as nobody who does them wants to understand or vie with someone elses lease or lien.
Jul 1st 2018, 10:30 am
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Halfway between Ricard & Absynthe
Posts: 4,291
Re: solar panels
1, amorphous silicon does deteriorate over long periods, UV filtering is advised, and panels definitely need washing occasionally. Funnily enough rubbery clear silicone surfaces work best but are fragile to stone throwing but dont get sandblasted in the desert.
2, Yes solar power is the new double glazing, though i notice ikea now sell them - trustworthy?
3, Theres another gotcha, dont know if this happens outside the uk, but suppliers who take a cut from power companies or a cut from your feed in profits make you sign effectively a lease on the panels which are fixed / part of the structure. This lease gets recorded against the property which in the future makes loans against the property or some other financial property instruments impossible, as nobody who does them wants to understand or vie with someone elses lease or lien.
2, Yes solar power is the new double glazing, though i notice ikea now sell them - trustworthy?
3, Theres another gotcha, dont know if this happens outside the uk, but suppliers who take a cut from power companies or a cut from your feed in profits make you sign effectively a lease on the panels which are fixed / part of the structure. This lease gets recorded against the property which in the future makes loans against the property or some other financial property instruments impossible, as nobody who does them wants to understand or vie with someone elses lease or lien.
