I’d say this November is fairly typical based on previous years.
We’ve only generated 51kw so far this month (small 2.8kw array). Last year the total for the whole month was 49kw so we are already ahead of last year. 2023 gave us 71kw so this year seems about average.
In yesterday’s Octopus Energy webinar they stated there were no plans to change their Outgoing tariff and it wasn’t being looked at. So that’s good news. Of course, other future events could impact this (e.g. this week’s budget?).
See Jonathan Tracey’s YouTube channel for a fuller update.
Is that the outgoing at 15p/unit?
Yes, I believe so
Interesting.
My figures are:
2023 246kWh,
2024 183kWh, and
2025 185kWh (so far).
so far Nov output is 216kwh, 2024 was 203kwh, 15 panel 5.5kw array, south facing
Stephen
My Nov 2023 was also a good year for the sun, although of course you do have to look at the whole year, which can be hard. Strangely my whole 2023 generation was identical to 2022 to the nearest KWh. 2021 was down by just 2KWh - spooky
My month to now has been 152kWh generation. Our panels are east west, with just four panels south facing. I have noted E/W really boosts in summer with the wider sun path in the sky, but not so good in mid winter (late nov to January) as the sun is so low in the horizon .. and all facing south would be better
We are about to have another set of solar PV panels installed. It seems that there is much debate about which orientation of panels is “best” or “optimal”.
In the UK, south facing is excellent for peak output, as you say, subject to the usual caveats about shading etc. and even more so if you have a day’s worth of battery storage.
Our PV all faces south east and it goes like gang busters in the morning. In the summer, the day’s heat soak warms up the bedrooms in late afternoon and early evening, just as our solar PV has finished for the day.
We are going to install air conditioning in some rooms next year (more efficient than an ASHP at heating and it cools as well). This will require peak power in the summer afternoons and evenings, so some south west facing panels will be ideal. They will reduce any import during the 4-7pm evening price peak. With some battery storage to cover the winter morning peak draw, we are hoping to further reduce our reliance on natural gas.
Time will tell!
Best regards, BF
We have our air to air heat pumps on overnight on an EV tarriff, costs next to nothing to run and toasty warm of a morning, wish we had done it sooner. PV and batteries in the new year.
Top tip for this air conditioning novice, thanks Gazza.
There are several modelling tools out there that can give you confidence in your potential generation, taking account of orientation, weather and location. Try Gary Does Solar on YouTube. He has a modelling tool, one version free and another on his Patreon (only a small monthly fee that can easily be cancelled later).
Are you getting a grant?
We are about to look into it. Tips welcome
Have a look at Tim and Kat’s Green Walk YouTube channel. Lots on Air to Air heat pumps and recent info on grants now available.
We have a granny annex which my daughter uses as her lair, we put in a 3.4 kw fujitsu heat pump…….that is just plugged into a normal 13 amp socket. Above that then an electrician needs to wire into the fuse box. For the main house for downstairs we have an 8 kw heat pump, we could have had 2 smaller units, but the servicing costs are £200 per unit per year, worth bearing in mind with a 5 year guarantee to maintain.
So in the new year we will get solar quotes we are south east facing at the back of the house, and the roof is rather odd shape due to dorma windows etc, so we shall see how many panels we can have.
Look to fit as many panels as you can, on all sides of your roof(s). Panels are cheap, although scaffolding not so much. These days a battery is also needed to make the most of smart time-of-use tariffs.
Remember to also ask about mesh around them to keep the pigeons out. Cheaper to do at time of installation.
Crumbs, that’s a lot. We are having our first service in a couple of weeks and will pay £75.
I guess its because you have two parts the heat pump outside and the fan unit inside. My daughter uses the same firm, thought it was a bit steep……..they were there for over 2 hours, for her unit.