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Is it possible to power a standard 3 bed semi using solar?

  • 03-08-2011 7:42am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,158 ✭✭✭


    I do not know much about what solar energy in Ireland can and cannot provide so please excuse my ignorance!

    I suppose the question I have is if it is possible to install solar panels onto an existing 3 bed semi and then be able to disconnect from the ESB and Gas and have the solar power provide all the power and heating etc. that I need for 4 people for 365 days a year?

    I would like to not have to pay any bills to the likes of the ESB as energy costs from them will always continue to rise so would like to be self sufficient.

    Is this possible for an outlay of under €10k?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,580 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    Its not possible. It just isn't hot / sunny enough here.

    However, it could take a chunk out of your water heating bill.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭sinnerboy


    Try using this


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,158 ✭✭✭reni10


    Victor wrote: »
    Its not possible. It just isn't hot / sunny enough here.

    However, it could take a chunk out of your water heating bill.

    That is a really pity!

    Can you also use the solar water heating to heat radiators in a house etc. in the winter so you do not need to pay for electricity, gas, oil etc.?


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    reni10 wrote: »
    That is a really pity!

    Can you also use the solar water heating to heat radiators in a house etc. in the winter so you do not need to pay for electricity, gas, oil etc.?

    OP you do have options but its a big question, one that takes time and money to answer fully.
    there's no simply solution to off-grid living. its a holistic approach of your building, you, your site location and a combination of suitable site specific renewable's


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 250 ✭✭Radiotower


    reni10 wrote: »
    That is a really pity!

    Can you also use the solar water heating to heat radiators in a house etc. in the winter so you do not need to pay for electricity, gas, oil etc.?


    The problem is when you need the most heat from your rads the less sunlight there is likely to be to generate enough hot water to heat your rads.

    The same can be said for generating electricity from pv cells as most people are out of the house for the majority of the day when the sun is shining and when you are in the house in the evening the daylight is fading. So you'll end up making electricity selling it to the grid during the day and buying it back in the evening. Its hard to store electricity.

    I wouldnt rule it out but think i'll wait till the government bring in a scheme like in the uk where they guarantee a yearly income for 25 years (i think) for putting up pv panels plus buy your surplus electricity. The reason they do it is they figure if enough people generate their own power they will not have to build as many generating stations in the future.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    sinnerboy wrote: »
    Try using this
    I tried this out. Put 6Kw peak in Wexford facing south on a 30 degree roof and it suggested a yield of less than 2,500 Kw Hrs. I think that is flawed. If I put the same data into Retscreen I get a far better result.

    It is possible to have a battery based off-grid system with solar PV, but you would need to have moderate energy requirements. We live off-grid on a combination of wind & solar - mostly wind, but we intend ramping up the solar component this year. But we don't use electricity for any sort of heat, not even kettles, and only occasional use of the pop-up toaster.

    It is better to have an element of wind in the mix because it balances the summer and winter supply quite well. Ballpark, solar PVs will cost you about €1,750 per Kw peak including VAT. Good deep cycle batteries suitable for off grid living (not fork lift or golf caddie ones) will set you back about €200 per useable Kw Hr of storage. A decent off-grid inverter will set you back about €1800 for 3kw of capacity.

    Work out your consumption and energy storage demands, add a few hundred for a charge controller and you're off. Oh - and maybe a backup genny for those dark winter nights:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 106 ✭✭BrenCooney


    This site is not a bad one either. The mapping function can be a bit slow, so put in your town and Ireland in the search to quicken things a bit.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭sinnerboy


    I tried this out. Put 6Kw peak in Wexford facing south on a 30 degree roof and it suggested a yield of less than 2,500 Kw Hrs. I think that is flawed. If I put the same data into Retscreen I get a far better result.

    Thanks quentin I don't know as much about the subject as you do to make such a useful judgement


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    BrenCooney wrote: »
    This site is not a bad one either. The mapping function can be a bit slow, so put in your town and Ireland in the search to quicken things a bit.
    That's much better! Unless I am doing something very silly on the SEAI site... With this one from re.jrc.ec I got just over double the output - 5410KwHrs for 6KwP installed. That's roughly what I would expect.

    Of course, this is all very well, but even at that, if you were feeding this into the grid at an average of, say 17c per Kw Hr, that would pay you €919 per year for a 6kwP system. Most installers are charging €5K to €7K per KwP installed, so that would be €919 back on a €30K plus investment. Ouch!

    However, modules are selling for less than €2K per KwP and inverters are less than €1k per kw, so it should be possible to install a system for a bit less than the going rate if the market hits critical mass. So I can see this coming down the tracks...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    sinnerboy wrote: »
    Thanks quentin I don't know as much about the subject as you do to make such a useful judgement

    Aarrgghh. Humble apologies. I just ran that SEAI site again, and it gave 5996 KwHrs, which is about right. I don't know if that is because it has been fixed (I did email a comment) or because I screwed up the first time. Probably the latter.

    So either way, it would indicate that in Cork, you will get 1KwHr per annum for every Watt installed. About 10% less in Donegal.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,555 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    About 10% less in Donegal.
    Damn! The forgotten county again :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    muffler wrote: »
    Damn! The forgotten county again :(

    Ah yes, but I think Donegal does better on wind turbines and micro-hydro than Wexford:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 177 ✭✭al2009


    Quentin

    is it possible to run air or ground source heat pumps "off grid", i'm also looking for info on what would be needed to install a solar system, any trustworthy sites out there?

    Alec


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 106 ✭✭BrenCooney


    Was talking to some inlaws in Germany last week.
    Costs are max of €4K per kilowatt installed, can get better deals.
    or €2400 per kilowatt for a kit of branded parts.

    Somebody is making a killing here in this country!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    al2009 wrote: »
    Quentin

    is it possible to run air or ground source heat pumps "off grid", i'm also looking for info on what would be needed to install a solar system, any trustworthy sites out there?

    Alec
    It is possible, but there is no advantage to having a heat pump because for the most part, you would be running this at a time when the solar PV output is minimal, so in the summer you would be exporting most of your power at 19c per Kw Hr. In the winter, you'll be buying power from the ESB.

    On trustworthy sites, I agreee with Bren Cooney. The mainstream installers are charging a fortune, but they aren't making a mint - there are so few installations out there....

    If you are into DIY, you can get kits here of module and inverter only for about €2,800 including VAT for 1.2Kw. Will PM details to you. You still need an electrician to sign the paperwork for ESB... Q


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 177 ✭✭al2009


    Cheers Quentin, thanks for the info.

    Alec


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