British Expats - Solar panels

British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)

- Spain (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/)

- - Solar panels (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/solar-panels-592208/)

Re: Solar panels

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splatt (Post 7317040)

Hi Whizz, yes the ducting is routed to the outside.
To further complicate matters I also have two large immersion heaters for hot water, the largest of which is switched off as we just don't need all that hot water.
I was also thinking that the hot water tank connected to the heatpumps was in addition to the water that was in the pipes under the floor. I don't know how densely they are fitted or what bore the pipes are, but in total I guess there is 300m2 of coverage upstairs with a further 100m2 or so in the downstairs apartment so that must be a fair bit of water.
I would love to have the pool heated, and all pumps and pipework are in place, but it is the expense.

Any idea how much I could sell two heatpumps for?
To go solar would be ideal, I just don't have the money right now so it's a case of damage limitation and wear more jumpers.

Thanks
Ste.

(Take this thread to Cuba!)

Ah now you mention underfloor heating via the LTHW from the heatpumps makes more sense, that would mean your house will be heated by the underfloor heating and the units you have taken out will be some form of booster perhaps. certainly my experience of UF heating using heatpumps is very economical compared to other forms of heating. (Ive yet to beat the back boiler on my woodburner for best economy though!!). Sounds to me tha you should get an engineer in to look at your system make sure its balanced properly etc, also if the Domestic hotwater is supported by the Heatpumps it would make sense to also ensure that the thermostats on thed electric heaters on your hotwater are set correctly some installers will set the electric heaters high particularly on Solar systems so you think you are getting loads of hot water from the sun for free, tomake the systems look good!!

Re: Solar panels

I visited the international solar conference in Frieburg Germany in 2006 and have spent some time studying solar. The most cost effective installation that will generally pay back quite quickly is that for solar water heating (for bathing washing dishes etc), pool installations are indeed more expensive and much larger, but decent domestic water heating units start at just 500 euros + installation. You can get units with a back up emersion heater to raise the temp of the water on colder overcast days. Evacuated tube units are normally the most efficient, but other slimmer units are also available with copper matrix and of rubber mat type. For electrics it's only really worth considering if you have no mains power. If you have an electric water heater already, the solar water heating unit should make a big difference to your bills. It is likely (following new regulations) that the solar market will become more competitive in Spain and the price of units will reduce, but the basic water heating units already represent good value. There are some exciting developments including solar roof tiles and solar flat roof membranes which I think we will see more of in the coming years. Germany has seen a solar boom since laws were changed and Spain has been slow to follow, especially when you consider how much sun we have. An evacuated tube unit will work quite well in Germany, imagine how well it will work here. Installation is especially worthwhile if you are chnaging a boiler, replumbing or refurbishing in general. Remember grants are normally available which your supplier might be able to help you with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jowalker (Post 7296917)

Does anyone have solar panels? Are they mainly used for heating pools or does anyone use them for providing electricity?

Judging by the previous posts about electricity companies and price hikes think I could be tempted to fit them when we buy a place!

Re: Solar panels

Anyone have a figure for average hot water useage per day for a couple? No heating, just washing and domestic use.

Re: Solar panels

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil (Post 7325377)

Anyone have a figure for average hot water useage per day for a couple? No heating, just washing and domestic use.

http://www.uswitch.com/water/how-much-water-use/

Table will help work it out!

Re: Solar panels

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil (Post 7298171)

Well, I tend to think that photovoltaics aren't worth it, because of the high costs of batteries. Ditto wind power.

Do you mean that all solar panels use batteries? I know that the new houses got to have solar & those which I've seen, are in the roof. I suppose with batteries at some stage these batteries need changing. It will be very difficult to go up to the roof to change the batteries.

Does anyone know whether the new solar panels don't require battery?

Re: Solar panels

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForHotspot (Post 7334874)

I think you may be mixing up the two issues, IE Solar Thermal and Solar Electrical.
Solar Thermal is a Hotwater tank fed by some form of Solar Heat exchange module, IE Vacuum tubes , or plate collector.
Solar Voltaic, is where the panels produce electrical power directly, this can be used without batteries, for example in a Solar pumping situation where a couple of PV panels of Say 150Wp will power a 200W pump for irrigation, or perhaps a swimming pool,
batteries are required to store the power produced by either panels or wind, or Hydro for use say at night or when sunpower is low.
The cost of batteries can be high and could make up about 30%plus of the cost of a renewable energy system. Battery life is much improved these days, due to a combination of better charge/discharge regulation, and battery plate design, Some manufacturer's offer up to a 10 Year guarantee on the batteries with life expectancy in excess of 18/20Years.

There is some excellent tutorial aids on Solar energy here
http://www.freesunpower.com/basic_advanced.php

Re: Solar panels

Thanks for your reply. I was told that the solar panel on top of the roof heats up the water & I suppose these don't use battery. Thank goodness for that as I won't be happy to change the battery having to go up to the roof or even get someone to do it.

Re: Solar panels

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForHotspot (Post 7334959)

I wouldnt think that it has any batteries on, in fact very unlikely!!:thumbsup: