How to work out if your solar system is performing properly.
Stop guessing, start measuring!
I got an email from Dec in Melbourne this week who is very worried that his solar installers have sold him a lemon:
Hi Finn, Since my last email, my 4.0kw solar has been independently checked and I have been told it was found to be installed correctly. At this time it is producing only 1800w on a clear sunny day. It seems that no one has an answer as to why the production is low as the system is only producing an average of 7.2kwh/day. Do you have any idea as to what I can do to try and resolve this as I am really struggling with getting this sorted out.
So has Dec been sold a heap of junk? Is his solar power system producing enough power for its size, location and the time of year (June) ? [Read more…]
RIP Ukki 1921-2012 (The most sustainable bloke I knew)
My Grandad (Ukki) and me in May 2011
This blog post is a tribute to my Finnish Grandad: Alvi Juppi (AKA Ukki) who died last month just short of his 91st birthday in Jormua, somewhere close to the Arctic Circle in Northern Finland.
What on earth has it got to do with Solar Power?
Glad you asked! [Read more…]
Solar Panel Orientation: Is West the new North?
The following is a very common question that comes in to SQ HQ.
“My roofline is North/South, so my largest roof areas face either East or West. I have been told that North Facing is ideal, but I have a tiny North facing roof! Can I put some solar panels on the East or West Facing roof (or both) ?”
Short Answer: Stick some (perhaps all) on the West!
Longer Answer: In terms of the amount of power produced, facing your panels East will produce exactly the same amount of power as facing them West. In either case you’ll generally take a 10-15% power hit compared to having them facing the ideal direction (North).
Is North always the best direction for solar panels?
So why do I say “probably West” as the short answer to the question?
Well, the reason I err on the West facing roof is because that part of your roof will get the sun later in the day. An East Facing solar array will generally produce its peak power at 10-11am. A West Facing array will produce its peak at closer to 2pm.
Most people use more energy later in the day. And most people want to use as much of their solar energy as possible, without exporting it. Why? Because at the time of writing most Feed In Tariffs give you less per kWh if you export the electricity than you pay for imported electricity. So most people will pay off their solar system quicker if they minimise exports.
Solar panel energy payback: What’s the truth?
One of the myths that gets bandied about a lot is the idea that it takes more energy to create a solar panel: through mining, transport, manufacturing and distribution, than will ever be generated by that solar panel over its lifetime.
20 years ago that was a valid argument against solar power. However in 2012 that myth is pure BS. Hopefully this post can set the record straight.
What you need to know about solar inverters and RF interference
A solar inverter is like any other electronic device in your home and it will produce some Electromagnetic radiation and potentially Radio Frequency interference. There is a standard that all approved electrical devices in Australia are required to meet (C Tick) but it does not guarantee zero emissions.
3 Phase Solar : What you need to know about connecting solar to your 3 phase supply
Solar is compatible with 3 phase
There is an awful lot of confusion (and misinformation) out there about the practicalities of installing solar on a house that has a 3 phase supply. So I’ve written this post to clear up the confusion. [Read more…]
Hybrid Solar Systems Part 3: Costs and Payback
What’s the payback?
Note: This post was written in 2012 and is way out of date. For the latest payback figures please read this page which is kept up to date >>> Are Solar Batteries Worth It
In my previous 2 posts I looked at the concept and design of Hybrid Solar systems.
The main conclusion of those 2 articles was that
a) Hybrid solar rocks!
b) But you gotta pay for it!
So the question this post will try to answer is:
How Much Extra Does Hybrid Solar Cost?
and bearing in mind the extra costs:
What is the payback of Hybrid Solar Compared To Regular Grid Connect Solar?
So let’s look at the cost of a quality 5kW system and then see what it costs to upgrade it to “Hybrid”. [Read more…]
Discover How Australia Could Be Powered By 100% Renewables
If you live in Adelaide and would like to hear about a 100% renewable powered future then come along and say hi next Wednesday At UniSA:Australian Solar Energy Society SA Meeting
Towards electricity without fossil fuels: finding the best mix of renewables, demand management and storage
[Read more…]
Hybrid Solar Part 2: How To Future Proof Your Solar System
Hybrid Solar Too?
Please note: this post was written in 2012 and is way out of date.
>>> Please visit this page on solar batteries, which is constantly updated. <<<
In my previous blog post on hybrid solar systems (aka grid connect with battery backup) I promised to follow up with a post that went into more detail on the costs and give examples of inverter hardware that can be used to make such a beast.
I’ve realised that if I go into the costs and paybacks then this blog post may be longer than War and Peace. So in this post I’ll cover the hardware and I’ll save the financials for next time.
As I said in the previous post, your motivation for spending more on a hybrid solar system will likely be either: [Read more…]
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