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Aug 2022
11:26am, 4 Aug 2022
43,176 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Solar PV with battery storage just seemed more flexible to me. Wasn't that sure/keen about plumbing changes etc. required for solar thermal.
Everything electric, generate excess electricity (more generation for me in future either additional solar on other locations, or micro wind turbine) and change to electric heating in house (under floor, individual room heaters etc. and eventually heat pump, which is electric) to wean ourselves off oil boiler. Hot water would be an immersion heater.
Not dissing solar water, just didn't fancy it.  G
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Aug 2022
11:53am, 4 Aug 2022
17,830 posts
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rf_fozzy
Just had an interesting chat with one of the solar PV people who popped round for a quick survey and chat.
Immediately obvious is that if I'm putting solar on both sides of my roof, then it's worth doing it all at the same time.
So, one thing I could do to reduce gas useage is convert my shower to electric, but I suspect that I'd lose the water flow which would be a shame (it's quite literally the best shower I've ever used). So not keen on that.
I guess the other thing I could do is to put in a hot water tank and immersion heater and use excess to heat that.
I'll have a think.
I'm having a new boiler put in soon too (I've had a *very* good quote), which will be more efficient than my current one. That plus turning my conservatory into a proper extension will make a significant difference too.
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Aug 2022
12:01pm, 4 Aug 2022
1,258 posts
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fuzzyduck79
General impression reading around FB groups covering solar is that people with experience of thermal and PV say they would not bother with thermal panels again, some have failed and repairing them can be tricky but the main point everyone makes is they are far slower to heat water than using PV and set up cost is higher.
Edge case might be where there is not much room for panels and the higher yield per sq metre becomes a factor.
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Aug 2022
12:23pm, 4 Aug 2022
17,831 posts
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rf_fozzy
So hot water tank and immersion heater is the way forward?
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Aug 2022
12:30pm, 4 Aug 2022
1,259 posts
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fuzzyduck79
Yes if space and budget allows. Lots of people use Zappi Eddi to divert PV excess to immersion.
I just swapped the immersion switch for a timed one that I can control/schedule over wifi, to use off peak electric I get from EV tariff
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Aug 2022
12:36pm, 4 Aug 2022
17,832 posts
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rf_fozzy
Hmm. Ok.
Suggests as much PV as possible is desirable then.
Some things to think about.
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Aug 2022
1:35pm, 4 Aug 2022
43,178 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
I went for 19 panels, the most we could fit on the roof areas. 7.8kW. And the battery is 9.5kWh, a previous quote was a slightly smaller 6kWh. G
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Aug 2022
2:37pm, 4 Aug 2022
6,059 posts
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ThorntonRunner
Happy - I'm about to start getting quotes for pv+battery - can I ask what you've been quoted?
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Aug 2022
3:08pm, 4 Aug 2022
17,835 posts
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rf_fozzy
Happy, did they have to put the bigger (and therefore obviously more expensive) type of inverter in for that system?
I was told the inverters could only handle a max of 6kW before they cut out.
Of course if you've got E-W alignment, only half of the panels will be working at any one time, which is why I was thinking of adding the other side.
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Aug 2022
3:09pm, 4 Aug 2022
5,119 posts
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run free
Have said this before, but in case anyone is thinking air source heat pumps at the same time, it will use more electricity + downgrade your EPC. Mine is using 3 times more electricity since installation. Unfortunately I don't have a big roof so only have 2.5kW panels
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