Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and Solar Panels
This is quite a big thing for us - we need this to apply for the feed back tariff for any surplus electricity we use. The deadline for applying for a 12p per unit rate was 1st January, but we believe this has now been extended to 1st February. However, all this aside, it is one more step in turning Flowerdown into a proper house.
We have been rated 'B' with 90 (the B category ranges from 81-91, so we are at the top end). The average energy efficiency rating for a dwelling in England and Wales is band D or 60 and causes about 6 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year - we are expected to produce approximately 20% of this at 1.2 tonnes. To get the A category we have been advised we would have to have solar water heating but we have run out of sunny roof space and the indicative cost is £4,000 - £6,000 with a typical saving over three years of £231 - you do the maths!
Environment Logic Solar Panels
Back in week 28 we wrote about problems fitting the solar panels.
David came up with the following solution which has taken 3 weeks to implement but all parties are now happy.
Here you can see how the solar limpets are fitted to the roof with one screw high up the panel - there should also be a second screw in line with this, below the foot that sticks out. However, we have 2 screws (120 mm long each to go through all the tiles and battens) at the bottom of the limpet to ensure the wind doesn't catch the underneath. These screws also go through a steel plate (we have been rescued yet again by BDM in Basingstoke), each screw hole is then sealed with CT1 and covered with a sheet of lead which is hammered flat against the limpet and the roof tile. This lead slides underneath the tile above the limpet so there is no possibility of any water running down into the roof panels. Then brackets are fitted into the 'feet' of the limpets and the panels are screwed on top of those, clipped into electricity cables which then feed back through into our roof space, ready for distribution around the house.
Electricity from solar pv panels is 100% renewable and pollution free - now a solution has been found we are very pleased we didn't abandon the idea a couple of weeks ago.
Back in week 28 we wrote about problems fitting the solar panels.
David came up with the following solution which has taken 3 weeks to implement but all parties are now happy.
Here you can see how the solar limpets are fitted to the roof with one screw high up the panel - there should also be a second screw in line with this, below the foot that sticks out. However, we have 2 screws (120 mm long each to go through all the tiles and battens) at the bottom of the limpet to ensure the wind doesn't catch the underneath. These screws also go through a steel plate (we have been rescued yet again by BDM in Basingstoke), each screw hole is then sealed with CT1 and covered with a sheet of lead which is hammered flat against the limpet and the roof tile. This lead slides underneath the tile above the limpet so there is no possibility of any water running down into the roof panels. Then brackets are fitted into the 'feet' of the limpets and the panels are screwed on top of those, clipped into electricity cables which then feed back through into our roof space, ready for distribution around the house. |
| Kevin and Ben from Environment Logic |
Electricity from solar pv panels is 100% renewable and pollution free - now a solution has been found we are very pleased we didn't abandon the idea a couple of weeks ago.
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