Solar install - Page 2

The solar panels feed their power via the inverters to the consumer unit - my fuse board does look like something from the Starship Enterprise!

Basically, I generate when it's sunny from approx. 9am - 8pm, so in that period, all my baseline consumption - fridges, pool pump etc is covered. I also ensure that I use the dishwasher and washing machine in this period, to make the most of the self-consumption. As I pay approx. €0.15 per kWh for electricity from the grid, it is more cost-effective to avoid consuming from the grid, rather than export to the grid at the lower rate of €0.05 per kWh.

If / when I consume more than what is being generated and, obviously, at night when I am not generating, then I draw from the grid.

In my opinion, batteries are currently not cost-efficient as the older type are expensive for the capacity they offer and I don't want to spend £10k+ on a Tesla Wall! However, if I get an EV in the future, I expect to use that as a  battery most of the time - I'll charge the EV in the daytime and then draw on that battery overnight (with some smart controls around that). I will probably add extra panels at that point. 

Iberdrola did take about 6 months to get the system registered, but I had seen elsewhere that this was due to government backlogs, not Iberdrola's fault. On the grants, etc. point, Iberdrola were not particularly helpful and I asked a gestoria to check what grants there were available and it was all a bit vague - some municipalities provide a discount of your IBI (but not in my area) and there was some EU funding, but you needed to apply in advance, whereas I had already had the installation completed.

thanks rich 

that answers all my questions its very helpful 

thanks again just need to get my nlv i been waiting ages apparently theres a delay due to spanish holidays summer time student visas and as always spanish working ethics lol

cheers  Ray

We have purchased a house with solar panels with batteries and a back up petrol driven generator ...what's very clear is you can enjoy in the sun all day sufficient power to do everything you need to but in the late evening night time it will not be sufficient to drive aircon through the night..ceiling fans fridge lights charging phones yes no problem ...we boost it every other day with the generator for an hour ...we have applied with iberdrola for q mains supply also however you do need to bear in mind electric costs and a standing charge if you want that as well...if there is just two of you and manage it well its fine ..when family visit there is inevitably greater usage ..its been a steep learning curve but have got the hang of it now

hi jorge 

there is just two of us however the villa has three bed rooms three bathrooms and two bed rooms and another bathroom living room kitchen in the under build and we re not the types to be in bed by 8 9 pm  i already have a thermodynamic hot water system to install so no need to heat water day or night we would ideally want to be totally self reliant , elec provider just there as back up but like Rich T states batteries are so expensive i have looked into a teslar wall battery but the are so expensive and some examples have stated that one wasnt quite enough its a quandry as we want to go green but cost dictate what we can do 

Ray 

Ok we have three bedrooms three bathrooms outside kitchen with fridge and pool that needs filtering daily pumping with water etc..hot water in Spain is not an issue I don't think ..on for an hour and stays warm ..who can stand a scolding shower or wants a bath? Have hot water heater under upstairs kitchen sink....all of this will run on solar sunshine no problem all day ...occasionally boosted by generator ..it is difficult being green / self sufficient..we were lucky the batteries are top class so that makes a huge difference...solar without batteries to store I know friends who have this but resort to mains electric in the evening ....you don't need to go to bed early just the main issue even with batteries to store you will find it difficult to run aircon in the night...however running aircon in the night all night every night in Summer in one bedroom will work out terribly expensive. We have gas bottles for gas cooking and gas fire..its a mish mash I accept..no mains water..agricultural water but in 3 months I have had a small water bill..that's it ..pay for gas bottle and petrol for generator as you go...nothing is cheap and nothing is free but I wish you well

We used Trisolar in Fortuna excellent service and cost. 

could you give details of what you had installed rough cost and are you happy with it 

thanks Ray

Your choices can also depend on your motivation for solar - is it to save money or be environmentally-friendly, or both?

If you are all-electric, generate a proportion of your electricity from your solar panels and take the rest from Iberdrola (where 70% of the electricity they supply is from Renewable sources), then that may be 'greener' than generating a proportion of your electricity from your solar panels, but using a petrol or diesel generator for the rest and then using gas for cooking.

Just a thought...

Hey Rich, 

We just been intouch with Iberdrola and hopefully coming around soon, with all the messing around you have to do, i would rather they did it all. 

cheers 

Hope it all goes well...