Solar panel production figures

We got 237.7kwh off our 4.7kw array in Feb, losing around 10kw to the grid.

That's about a third of our electrical usage for the month*, so not bad and very nice to see that even in winter we can hit ~16kwh's on a good day.


*We're very heavy users as there are 3 of us at home most of the time (with electric cooking), and there is always someone awake with at least one PC and a couple of screens on.
 
Last edited:
Werewolf said:
We got 237.7kwh off our 4.7kw array in Feb, losing around 10kw to the grid.

That's about a third of our electrical usage for the month*, so not bad and very nice to see that even in winter we can hit ~16kwh's on a good day.


*We're very heavy users as there are 3 of us at home most of the time (with electric cooking), and there is always someone awake with at least one PC and a couple of screens on.
Click to expand...
What's your annual usage out of interest? (I always feel like the dunce in the class as we use 12000kwh per year....!)
 
About 8kwh.

Although we do have gas heating/hot water, IIRC the average of 4kwh or whatever for a detached 3 bed is based on the assumption that it's empty most of the time people are awake (I can tell when someone is up by the increase in baseline usage;) and even who it likely is).
 
Last edited:
Werewolf said:
About 8kwh.

Although we do have gas heating/hot water, IIRC the average of 4kwh or whatever for a detached 3 bed is based on the assumption that it's empty most of the time people are awake.
Click to expand...
Ah, ok, I'm still the dunce then... ;)

We've got oil heating also - my excuse is 2 x EVs (although interestingly our energy use has always been around 12,000kwh)....! Can't seem to reduce it - so I'm just seeking to turn it all to solar/free energy!
 
Welshman said:
running those freezers of dead solar producers lol
Click to expand...

True so the usage will keep going up as anyone gets in the way of the new panels
Sounds like a never ending loop
1) Someone blocks panel
2) Katie "removes them"
3) Katie adds a freezer so consumption goes up
4) Katie needs more panels
5) Chances of someone blocking a panel increases
6) Do not pass go, proceed immediately to 1)

;)
 
katie279 said:
Ah, ok, I'm still the dunce then... ;)

We've got oil heating also - my excuse is 2 x EVs (although interestingly our energy use has always been around 12,000kwh)....! Can't seem to reduce it - so I'm just seeking to turn it all to solar/free energy!
Click to expand...
Personally I suspect that whilst appliances (with the exception of gaming PC's and consoles) have generally got more efficient over the years, the number of electrical items the average person has and uses on a regular basis has increased massively.

IE I remember when TV's drew ~300-500 watts and were warm, if not hot to the touch (good old Valves and early "solid state" with a lot of discrete parts and a wire wound transformer), but you only had one, maybe two in the house, now everyone tends to have several.
So you're attempting to use less by using more energy efficient stuff, but the sheer number of devices adds up, in your case I suspect the EV's have probably done a lot of that - but whilst they've added to your leccy they've reduced your fuel bill, and as you say solar means free leccy for them especially if you're able to put all the excess that you don't use in the house into them.

I remember, with some degree of horror looking back, how we used to have 10x 60watt bulbs in the living room as my dad needed the light (bad eyes), now the total wattage used for all the lighting in the house, including desk lamps and the big tubes* in the kitchen and spare room is probably less than 200 (although the garage still uses fluorescent tubes, so that's 400watts, but rarely used).

*28watts each, IIRC the original fluorescent ones were nearly 100.
 
Last edited:
I think that's exactly it, our eyes (like hearing*) aren't quite as sensitive/vary in sensitivity depending on various factors, so what we might see as "dim" might actually be quite bright in some parts of the spectrum.
I think it's one of the reasons photographers use light meters, as what their eyes are telling them doesn't necessarily line up with what a light sensor, camera, or in this case photovoltaic cell will pick uo.

And I realise I'm possibly taking this off topic a bit, so I'll just say that I'm surprised how well the panels do in dim light, we're already at nearly 5kwh despite the fact it's felt really dim all day.


*hence all the tricks with compression etc advertisers use to get round "loudness" rules on TV.
 
Werewolf said:
Personally I suspect that whilst appliances (with the exception of gaming PC's and consoles) have generally got more efficient over the years, the number of electrical items the average person has and uses on a regular basis has increased massively.

IE I remember when TV's drew ~300-500 watts and were warm, if not hot to the touch (good old Valves and early "solid state" with a lot of discrete parts and a wire wound transformer), but you only had one, maybe two in the house, now everyone tends to have several.
So you're attempting to use less by using more energy efficient stuff, but the sheer number of devices adds up, in your case I suspect the EV's have probably done a lot of that - but whilst they've added to your leccy they've reduced your fuel bill, and as you say solar means free leccy for them especially if you're able to put all the excess that you don't use in the house into them.

I remember, with some degree of horror looking back, how we used to have 10x 60watt bulbs in the living room as my dad needed the light (bad eyes), now the total wattage used for all the lighting in the house, including desk lamps and the big tubes* in the kitchen and spare room is probably less than 200 (although the garage still uses fluorescent tubes, so that's 400watts, but rarely used).

*28watts each, IIRC the original fluorescent ones were nearly 100.
Click to expand...
EXACTLY RIGHT!!

So actually it's all the fault of you guys with your high spec PCs, ubiquiti networks, new graphics cards and so on that you've recommended to me over the years.... ;)

I do remember when we switched from 60W bulbs to LEDs was a noticeable drop, just think the game now is about generation more than reduction... can't have those bodies defrosting, the neighbours might start to smell them.... ;)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom