In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Lots of solar panels and on the increase in Liguria. I think its the number of hours of direct sunlight that matters.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Steve, cittadino di Ovada;80823]Our only possible possible solar panel hot water supply position would be on a roof facing east south east. Does anyone have any data or views if this is a feasible option or a waste of money. I think in summer it will work well but but winter, when i need it most, is likely to be morning only sunshine and then , as roof is far less than 45degrees from horizontal, far less efficient. Does this sound correct ?
If it will work I will be happy as not to worried about payback time, i hope to live in the house for atleast 30 + years. But will they work ?
for info we are in north Italy 40 kms from Genova if this makes a difference.
Also here in Italy there only seems to be supplied "older" style solar panels and not newer evacuated tube types unless you pay a significant price diff.[/quote]
There is a lot of stuff on the net about panel orientation verses efficiency.
Here is a simple graph: [url=http://www.viridiansolar.co.uk/Image%20sub%20windows/Panel%20tilt%20and%20orientation.htm]Effect of Tilt and Orientation on Solar Panel Performance[/url]
Navitron have calculators or their site for taking into account your lattitude etc.
[url=http://c-zero.co.uk/download.php?list.4]Navitron: Downloads / Design Aids and Technical Help Files[/url]
Have a look at their site. They are very helpfull and provide several different designs of solar & PV panels at good prices.
[url=http://c-zero.co.uk/news.php]Navitron: News[/url]
I will probably be using an overspecified array of their panels when I eventually have something to heat :smile:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I would have loved to have found a useable way of doing it with Navitron's kit but it's deemed not sensible by my father-in-law who happens to be a plumber. The cost of bringing that kit over here combined with the different size fittings (and therefore lack of easy spares) made him conclude that you're better off buying local. There's a company who seem to do exactly what we're after and they're based not too far from us:
[url=http://www.ehtitalia.com/ecom/scheda.asp?scat=7&cat=11&id=50]EHT Italia s.r.l. Riscaldamento a pavimento, ventilazione a pavimento, raffrescamento a pavimento, pannelli solari - Castiglione del Lago[/url]
There were also issues with getting a local plumber to sign it off (the Navitron kit) & for the commune to approve it in the first place. Sigh.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
To get the best economy is to capture the best number of hours of sunlight the way to do this is directly south and at about 45º to horizontal. It’s always going to be a compromise with the angle unless you have motors to tilt the panels at any one time (read expensive). But due south is always best!!
Navitron’s vacuum tubes are OK no problem connecting them up as I helped a friend purchase and install. However it took 3 or 4 times tries to get the glass tubes here in one piece finally resulting in asking another friend to bring them over in his car as the Italian couriers couldn’t read “fragile”
Flat solar collectors (we have 40m2 on our house to heat the pool and house) are less efficient than vacuum tubes cost less although I think this is evening itself out. However where we are vacuum tubes are covered with snow and with no residual heat loss they remain snow covered resulting in less efficiency for apart of the winter.
Signing off has never been an issue if the plumber wants further work from you or bung him a €100. Planning’s another animal altogether.
Be objective and critical of suppliers tables as they want to sell you product – read up “Solar installations” by a Swedish Professor in solar design Dr Lars Andrén and Ecohose 2 by Prof Sue Roaf.
It’s a big investment over a long period you need to get it right from the start to make it pay!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Well, in my rented flat I use a camping shower bag on my south facing balcony. For a _very_ small investment it means I don't have to put the expensive water heating on during spring and summer days to do my middle-of-the-day washing up. Every little helps! If I had my own place I'd certainly investigate solar water heating as the bag is very effective.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Umbrian green technology with a really good website too!
Grazie Mille Skichi!
Do you mean the roof is angled at 135 degrees?
Can't you get a mount built so it's aimed at 180?
If you're worried about not working at it's best remember you can always oversize. If perfect would require 1 panel you install two. Obviously it costs more.