Having a 4kWp system installed this Thursday!

IronGiant

Can you buy the Geo as a private individual? the website seems to suggest not.

Edit:  http://www.uswitch.com/energy-saving-products/energy-monitors/geo-solo-pv-solar-energy-monitor#v_227    £149.99 EEK !

jouster

I do believe I once found a link somewhere where it was £105 Inc delivery. I'll have a hunt for it.

In response to an above comment, I would agree that although I have primarily purchased the PV system for the potential financial benefits going forward, it has definitely made me take a look at how I use electricity on the whole.

I am currently about to replace most if not all of the 50w GU10 bulbs in the house. My current bulbs of choice would be 24 led 5050 SMD bulbs. Now it has even mentioned to me that they might not be bright enough for my needs. But that is why I have bought one to test for now. However, if they do turn out to be bright enough, my entire kitchen/family room could be lit for less power than it takes to light one of the single GU10 bulbs.   That to me is staggering. The only issue on that is the cost of the bulbs. If bought in bulk, they still work out at £6 a bulb so it's fair to say this is me being green first then thinking financial benefits later.   

Since moving into my current property when it was brand new just over 2 years ago I have always had some form of monitoring on electricity but this was more to get a rough idea of cost and not so much to cut usage.  

Now however, as I can see in a graphical format just how my usage is affected, I have definitely become greener.

Very little is left on standby anymore as there is just no need for it in 9 out of 10 cases. I know there was no excuse before but that was how it was.

I'm actually finding myself wondering how I can actually shrink my overnight usage now (which sits at around 500 watts from when we go to bed to when I get up in the morning for work). Without getting too anal about it I know that a few things are left on the house.  My server does multiple backups overnight, and they could potentially be done in the day when the sun is out BUT there will always be a washing machine or dishwasher cycle needing to be done that will use the free power anyway and the power we use at night is 20% cheaper anyway on the edf 20/20 scheme

I'm now even toying with the idea of a small 1kw wind turbine that could be placed on the roof of the house which would effectively mean that most nights the house would cost nothing to power at all.   Wind allowing of course.

jouster

test bulb arrived tonight and works brilliantly....lovely and bright, lovely and white and 1 50w bulb uses the ame amount of power a 15 of the new ones...so its an absolute no brainer...was 190 for 30 bulbs though.....eeeeeek

Now i have to decide if I wanna replace my megaman dimmable bulbs as well as if I do I guess they can be sold on as anyone who bought them would make a massive saving on the full list price of them

GaryMo

The LED lamps I have throughout are also 5050 but 21 LED's, totalling around 3watt. I find the light output to be superb, especially when compared against a power hungry 50watt halogen lamp. I just like the idea of me not running around the house turning lights off in a hurry that have been left on by the missus and daughter!

The installation guys should be here soon. Looking forward to it though it'll be better when the scaffold is down as I reckon I'll have the next few days of scaffold shadows being projected across the panels.

A link to a £105 Geo Solo PV would be great as the cheapest I could find was from U Switch, same as posted above by IronGiant.

jouster

Have found it slightly cheaper here, but Im sure I saw it nearer £100 somewhere

IronGiant

Not quite down to £105, but closer...

http://www.spvconcept.com/accessories/geo-solo-pv-display/geo-solo-pv-display.html

GaryMo

Only slightly as it's £150 including VAT. 3-5 days delivery compared to next day with U Switch too.

SPV Concepts price is £115   VAT and £6.50 for delivery (next day) so a total of £145.80.

Had my system installed today and am over the moon with it. Really good install and can't fault it at all. Will post pics later.

jouster

sounds good, i will get some pics up soon as well...best day ever for me today...nearly 18 KW....Wow

so far powering the house has cost 67 pence

GaryMo

Here's a few pics. Really happy with the install....

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                       

GaryMo

That's a fantastic figure for today! Looking forward to tomorrow to see what mine does though I have temporary shading from the scaffold for the time being until it's taken down.