Anyone using Solar Energy?

the problem in the UK is the amount of solar energy is too low - multiply that by the angles that the common UK roof has (unsuitable for capturing the maximum energy) then look at the financial payback... the result isn't that good.
I'd have thought solar electric is a bit better to help the day time power, although things like economy-7 type of heading for cold night nights is always a pain.
 
Pinter75 said:
To me it is not really about the money, but being more self sufficient.
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This is something many seem to miss, if anything should happen in the future like a power failure or fuel prices going up etc you will be quite thankful for having the alternatives, of course i would like to see people get much closer to proper self sufficiency in all areas as well.
 
Energize said:
Isn't it far more efficient to heat a tank of water by letting sunlight shine directly on it, rather than using a solar panel to electrically heat it?
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I cant imagine insulation to keep the tank warm would be anywhere near as much.

Does solar PV cells only use the IR spectrum?
 
should have gone for wind turbine. I seem to remember them giving good returns for money. If you live in a windy area and can sell excess power back to the grid.
 
AcidHell2 said:
should have gone for wind turbine. I seem to remember them giving good returns for money. If you live in a windy area and can sell excess power back to the grid.
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It is quite hard to get planning permission for wind turbines, not so hard for solar panels.
 
Just had this done on our house.

Our panel heats the water in the boiler, and then it's pumped throughout the house.

Managed to get it to 45C on the weekend (according to the thermo :cool: ) which is pretty good considering it wasn't a truly "sunny" day by any means.
 
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