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Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 19 12:43 pm Post subject:

Im reviving this post because like the real sustainable little old person I am I want to install solar here in France.

NOT as simple as it sounds.

Despite Macron stating that solar will be encouraged EDF has the monopoly and is charging a fortune and tying people into unrealistic contracts.
We have 2 adjoined buildings with a meter each. We would like to install a system on each roof (if we are allowed), or in the rear garden if roof is a no-no.
We DONT want to send power back to the grid. To complicated and beurocratic here.

So - a couple of panels linked to immersun or equivalent and then the supply.

IF we do it DIY and buy and import a kit it will be hugely cheaper. We have a great electrician and between him and John could do this in a few days at a reasonable expense.

I have to find out whether we need a CONSUEL inspection to confirm its safe, but apart from this and planning permission questions, I think we can do this.

Looking for any imput. I know your all mainly in the UK - but if you know anyone in France who has self installed a hybrid system please do flag for me.

Thanks all.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46211
Location: yes

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 19 2:44 pm Post subject:

if you have your own gear and storage and the pv part is not connected to the grid or having to use their kit/services seems sensible

there will be leccy regs and best practice but your local spark should know those .
building regs/ permissions for fitting panels?there might be planning regs for the panels on a visible roof thing?

is solar pv the best energy return for the financial/regs/practicalities?

how much leccy from those roofs with what kit?

research your needs, kit and regs:wink:

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 19 2:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks.

So, we need to be connected to the electrical supply to the house in order to access electricity at times when we need more draw than we are producing. Ive been told that a registered electrician can connect and that it would be prudent (not essential) to have a CONSUEL inspection (official nod).
In the summer we could produce a LOT of electricity having sun from 4am till 9pm, of course the electricity we use in summer is mainly to heat HW for guests having showers - so a full tank daily (about 250litres) in one gite and half a tank daily in the other. We dont need under floor heating on except from Nov till April.
Therein is a problem.
If we produce too much electricity it has to go somewhere - heating HW and sending to heat the floor is fine in winter. In summer we use the pool pump (unheated pool) (750w), so if we have a 3kW production then we need to 'use' all this - so pool (750w), HW immerser and floor (I need to sit and work all these usages out),
we have a sophisticated control system for the heating. The floor is in zones and the controls also kick in wall mounted wall heaters upstairs.
But switching from one to another or sending electricity to heat HW is complex.
Im out of my depth.

If we have slightly less production for the background stuff (freezer, fridge, lights, TV, computer) how do I balance using the electric to utilise washine machine, kettle, oven to use up the excess apart from manually trying to turn these all on to use up leccy?

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46211
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 19 6:22 pm Post subject:
solar water heating seems as though it might fit in to your energy harvest

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 19 6:26 pm Post subject:
If we do solar hot water we will need to remove the two water tanks we already have. And reconfigure the electrics and piping. Electric seems to be the better solution, even if we have to just have a couple of panels just to heat the HW & divert to the floor.

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