Jamie22h ago
We fitted solar thermal (hot water) panels when re-roofing in 2006. They've been great and very cost effective. Added solar PV around them in 2011. In 2023, using over 10 years import/export data I calculated the optimum extra PV/batteries needed to satisfy most of our power needs and covered a shed in PV. The shed is south facing with a 20 degree roof. The vertical panels help in winter.
Show threadJamie22h ago
The main fly in the ointment is the shadow from one of my mature Ash trees. I planted 800 Ash, among over 2500 trees in my "wildlife area", but they almost all died of There is no way I'm felling a mature tree of any kind, especially Ash! This does mean I get reduced winter generation for a few hours when it's sunny.
Show threadrood
@ArborealTechie could you trim lower branches to let winter sun scoot in?
Apr 5 at 9:33amWeb
Show threadJamie20h ago
@rood Thanks, but the tree is around 50 meters from the array, so it's the whole upper canopy and trunk that shades the panels. I would need to reduce the height by around 50% to make a significant difference. The tree is over 50ft in height. With modern tractors becoming ever larger and farmers anxious not to damage them many trees in my area have been reduced to totem poles, which saddens me. I want to protect all my mature trees.