Solar PV Gain - Maximising Solar PV Efficiency
 There are many ways to maximise the gain of a solar PV system. Such methods as:
Optimal installation & placement of arrays. Power optimisers. Solar tracking systems. Shading elimination. Solar array cleanliness. Component efficiency & compatibility. Efficiency of components.
From feedback collected during our IN-HOME ELECTRICITY REDUCTION SERVICES, we have found that home energy reduction methods, are not taken seriously enough by the householder, with a solar PV system, especially when time has passed after the installation.
Most householders with solar PV systems, are always aware of the maximum output of their solar system. Often stating the proposed / actual financial gain, along with the maximum kW output. Whilst this is great news with the householder knowing what is being generated above the roof, it is not good news when we ask the question:
What Are You Using Under The Roof?
 Most householder's it appears do not have a clue! Yet the daily kWh rating of their home, is stated on their electricity bill.
During the sales process of these solar PV systems, should we not be asking for details on the energy use within the client's home? Are these systems simply being sold on a, 'This is what the maximum $$$'s you could make scenario?' If so, some householders are going to be caught out and not see their dream investment's return!
Amazingly more so is the fact, householders are simply unaware their solar PV system, could further be generating a large proportion of energy, to support unknown electricity waste under the roof.
So to maximise the financial gain of any solar system, a HOME ELECTRICITY AUDIT is needed. Removing standby electricity, drawing attention to other electrical waste, with appliances being checked for total energy use & efficiency. Now the home's energy usage is at a minimum! Knowing the energy used under the roof, allows for the effectiveness of any solar PV system to be known.
It does not take a lot of electrical waste within the home, to reduce a solar PV's gain.
150 watts of 24/7 standby, reduces your Gross Feed Solar Gain by 42% and more......
Our example Aussie home has:
To compare generated energy with wasted energy, we will convert the 6000 watts of generated energy, to an hourly figure. 6000 / 24 = 250 watts per hour
The solar PV's annual output is 2190 kW per year @ 20 cents = $438 per year.
The same system at 60 cents would have been $1314 per year
If you're not aware of the average Aussie home having a STANDBY ELECTRICITY issue, you need too be. Most homes we've visited, have a standby electricity rate, at anywhere between 25 watts to 250 watts plus. If your home has 150 watts of 24/7 standby electricity, this equates to 3.6 kW per day. Per year it is a staggering 1314 kW.
If your thinking it should be 1.5 X 5 hours of sun? Think again! As your not taking into account the 20% of possible system inefficiencies [De-rating values]. Hence the 1.5 X 4 hours.
WOW! That's 60% of your generated solar power supporting waste! At this point of the in-home visit, most householders remember the time they spent choosing their system carefully, after looking at the efficiency of different solar PV systems. But the figures they were using, were in the region of 5% or 10% over long time. Not a staggering 60% in a very short time!
For this example we will use the recent NSW gross feed tariff of twenty cents per kW. Our example solar PV system therefore will generate financially per day, 6 x 0.20 = $1.20
The daily cost of the 150 watts of standby electricity, is worked out by multiplying an electricity rate of 30 cents per kWh by the daily 3.6 kW of standby. Standby costing $1.08 per day or $394 per year.
So your Solar system's making $1.20 per day, your buying in your standby electricity at $1.08 per day! Where is your profit now? Making only 12 cents per day!
As electricity rises your profit disappears quicker! Even for a small amount of standby electricity! Unless you have a large Solar PV system, your 1.5 - 2kW system with standby electricity will make you little, whilst you have waste & electricity costs rise!
|
