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picture of our house    

By March 15th we have generated as much as imported in 2008 (11 days sooner than 2007 which itself was 13 days sooner than 2006) By week ending 27th June 2008 we have generated more than double what we have imported.
This year (2008) has seen the sunniest February since system installed with several weeks 8 kWhrs better than previous years February weekly high. So by end of Feb we are over 30 kWhrs up on last year. May 08 saw some of the worst weeks for generation in that month since system installed. So total for year, so far, is now in line with last year despite good start.
 This year we are paying only £13 per month to our electricity supplier.
Good Energy pay 9p per kWhr for all my electricity (export meter not required)
 
This solar hot water system installed in September 1999, in Stonehouse Gloucestershire produces over 70% of the hot water used in this house. It produced 100% of the hot water from Early March to middle of September in 2000. Proving to us that solar power really does work in England. This website gives details of the system components, their DIY installation by myself with help and advice from the members and trainers of Stroud Solar Club and performance data recorded from our system. Unfortunately the solar club has stopped but there are grants available - see links page for details. Our house faces South West which is not the optimum direction, but even so water temperatures in the summer regularly reach over 70 deg C and in the middle of winter on a clear frosty day we have got 50 deg C water even though the air temp is below O deg!!!		  
 
  The 1.8kWp grid connected PV was added in march 2004. The PV has been seen to generate 1.75 kW on a clear winters day. - See Grid connect PV pages for more details.
  I hope you find this site interesting, please email me if you have any questions or comments.

 

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