Solar Panels In Winter

[tali1]

How effective are solar panels in winter?.I have heard that it takes a lot longer for water to heat up - or was that older systems?

[Buenchico]

The majority of solar panel installations these days aren't designed to heat water; they produce electricity instead.

However those panels which do heat water obviously produce a lot less power during the winter months. A study by the University of Strathclyde using modern, south-facing panels in a Scottish urban location found that a one square metre area would typically produce around 5 kilowatt-hours per day of heating power in July but less than 1 kWh per day in December and January
http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/01-02/RE_info/UrbanSolarCollector_files/image008.gif

Assuming that the total area of panelling on a roof might be around 3 square metres, that means that the heating power generated in mid-winter would be around 2.5 kWh per day, which (for comparison) is roughly the same amount of energy as a domestic fan heater produces per hour. (i.e. when spread across a whole day, it's not a great deal of heating power to put into a central heating system).

[Buenchico]

The only leaflets I ever get through my door, promoting solar panels, Methyl, relate to producing electricity (and I'm referring to junk mail on an almost daily basis!).

All of the installations I've seen around here are (according to the advertising content on the sides of the installers' vans) designed to feed electricity into the national grid. I'd almost forgotten that solar panels could be used to directly heat water. (A friend of mine had such a system installed but that was around 1970 when, as President of the Institute of Master Plumbers, he was seen as rather daring for doing so).

[buildersmate]

Picking on a pretty comprehensive answer that covers the answer, on a minor issue that is totally irrelevant to that answer seems a pointless exercise.

Whether producing electricity or directly heating water, as Beunchico says, it will take around three times longer on an average winter day.

Which, coincidentally, is why most of us don't go sunbathing in the garden in January.

Bye

[bhg481]

Look around local installations - we have dozens near us but only one water-heater type that I can see. You can't sell hot water to the National Grid and most people have been persuaded to install solar panels because of the money made from selling electricity to the Grid.

[Old_Geezer]

No expert but doesn't the sell electricity incentive occur because the Grid is obliged to pay a high rate subsidised from our tax ? That is the impression I have anyway. Sorry I know not of winter efficiency whatever type one has. My gut feeling is that such panels is a 'good intent' thing that is probably questionable in practice, but cue the next argument :-)

[Hopkirk]

They work best if pointed in the right direction too

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2509975/Most-worlds-solar-panels-facing-WRONG-direction-Scientists-claim-systems-face-west-south.html

[Sqad]

Bit chilly, particularly in the evening, so take an overcoat.
You have had some good suggestions so I will just add one more essential experience for your visit.

http://www.bestescortmallorca.com/en/escort/mia/

Say Sqad recommended you and see the smile come on her face...;-)

[SlackAlice]

sqad

^^^^^ sunny-daves not in this thread ☺☺☺

[Hopkirk]

They've got some nice solar panels, Sqad!

[Sqad]

OOooooops!

[beso]

O_G //No expert but doesn't the sell electricity incentive occur because the Grid is obliged to pay a high rate subsidised from our tax ?//

I get paid six cents per kWh for my export while they charge me 35 cents so no subsidy there.

In fact the solar input to the grid in Australia has driven down the wholesale cost of power so far that some coal fired plants are uneconomic. They have only been saved by the plummeting price of coal due to overproduction and lowered demand.

Unfortunately electricity retailers have not cut the selling price and are simply pocketing the profits they make from solar input. Meanwhile they are whinging to anyone who will listen about how people with solar are supposedly not paying our way.

Moreover, any remaining solar subsidies are trivial compared to the billions in subsidies still being given to the mining industries.

[bhg481]

Am I missing something from Hoppy's Daily Mail link?
Average UK panel generates 3700 kwh of electricity per annum. You are paid 14.9p per kwh and that generates an income of around £785 a year. 14.9p for 3700kwh = £551, not £785. On top of that I thought you were only paid for what you fed into the Grid, so only part of your generated power would give you an income anyway.

[Old_Geezer]

That makes cents.
But I was thinking more of the schemes operating in the UK.

I was under the impression the government push for "green" meant that this sort of thing was subsidised to enhance green credentials whilst the rest of us who don't want them pay for it. But I may be wrong.

[beso]

Probably less economic in the UK than Australia since we have a lot more sunshine. Where I live, even without subsidies, it is worth borrowing the money to put solar on if you can use the power during the day.

I object to my taxes subsidising big multinational mining companies.

You might be surprised what your taxes subsidise too if you went looking.