Basic Solar Energy Foundation

noelfitz

I am getting more familiar with my new solar panel installation thanks to the helpful support I am getting here. I am very grateful.

I hope now to learn more about solar energy and systematically build up on the bit of physics I learned over 60 years ago.

In the first instance I want to learn in detail about heating water and the house as well as running electric appliances.

I would like now to get a solid foundation and would appreciate recommendations for appropriate websites and other material to get my system running optimally.

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My Energy sources

PV System (Solar Panels) supplied by

12 Jinko panels (0.430 x 12 = 5.16kW)

12 Optimisers (as trees near the house)

Solis hybrid inverter (single phase, 3.6kW)

Myenergi hot water diverter (eddi, model 16A1P02H,

Shunt

Ber testing and report

On phone myenergi app

On phone SolisCloud app

Electric Heaters

Dimplex, model ECR20, 1.85- 2.00kW (2kW oil free column radiator

Dimplex, model OFC2000, 2,0kW (230-140V), Series A 50Hz)

Plus two other Dimplex Heaters

Gas System

Viessmann Vitodens 100 - Gas condensing boiler

EPH Controls which independently regulate hot water and central heating.

Energy Suppliers

Electricity, Yuno, contract ends 19 Sept 2025, Plan Name: FixedDiscount 24H

Gas, Flogas, contract ends 16 Nov 2024

JayBee66

Every system, house and occupant is different so there is no single way of running things.

For example, our bungalow has one retired and one about to be retired rural occupants from farming families. We have 6.4KW of PV panels. We turned off the oil boiler three years ago. We heat with two desiccant dehumidifiers, two resistant heaters and a wood stove.

Most people would not be able to cope in a house like ours. It depends on what you are used to, what your goals are and what you can endure.

There are all types on this forum. Some who automate everything. Some who must be cocooned in a thermal blanket. Some (like us) who like to find the limits to endurance.

Our PV system was installed in February 2022 and we are still tweaking the house here and there. We placed a big slab of PIR board over the attic hatch this year, which is another little improvement; along with triple glazing and Demand Controlled Ventilation in previous years.

We move the dehumidifiers around the house depending on the season. Our Luddite Neighbour already has his wood stove burning unseasoned wood, judging by the "Habemus Papem" white smoke he has billowing from the chimney. We have moved a dehumidifier and 500W resistive heater into the lounge. The dehumidifier runs from the solar, during the day, and the heater runs off the battery in the evening. Both keep the room over 19C at 50% RH.

When the bedroom goes below 16C then the dehumidifier and heater will go in there and only then will we run the wood stove in the lounge. It works for us. It won't work for those who must have the whole house as warm as July so they can continue to wear their summer wardrobe.

Maybe the future will see an air to air heat pump unit in the hall to keep most of the house over 16C and another in the lounge to keep that room at 19-20C. That depends on cost and if our cheap alternatives can be bettered.

You can find all the technical data you want with a Google search but 90% of it won't pertain to your needs. It's best to do as we have; experiment, tweak and see what works for you. It depends on your metrics for heat, humidity, cost and comfort.

noelfitz

Hello JayBee66,

I am very grateful to you for your long, friendly, encouraing and expert reply to me, which I find very encouraging.

I aim to lower energy costs, while keeping comfort and learning about solar energy.

I live in a bungalow with three adults.

In my list of energy resources I have added a dehumidifier, which was not mentioned before.

I would like, witout boring and irritating people, to use boards.ie as my source for achieving my PV aims.

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PV System (Solar Panels) supplied by ****

12 Jinko panels (0.430 x 12 = 5.16kW)

12 Optimisers (as trees near the house)

Solis hybrid inverter (single phase, 3.6kW)

Myenergi hot water diverter, eddi.

Shunt

Ber testing and report

On phone myenergi app

On phone SolisCloud app

Electric Heaters

4 electric heaters

Dimplex, model ECR20, 1.85- 2.00kW (2kW oil free column radiator

Dimplex, model OFC2000, 2,0kW (230-140V), Series A 50Hz)

Dimplex Heater

Dimplex Heater

Gas System

Viessmann Vitodens 100 - Gas condensing boiler

EPH Controls which independently regulate hot water and central heating.

Dehumidifier

Dimplex air dehumidifier, 290W/15A, EverDri10E

Energy Suppliers

Electricity, Yuno, contract ends 19 Sept 2025, Plan Name: FixedDiscount 24H

Gas, Flogas, contract ends 16 Nov 2024

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122669832#Comment_122669832

Take out your supplier from that list at the end, not allowed by the forum charter to name suppliers. And serial number of the eddi,( I've edited them out of this post

But even going forward, you don't have to list everything, only need to mention it if its relevant.