Solar Panels working - it's great

Since we've had the sensor replaced our solar panels seem to be working better than before. As well as being replaced the sensor was also put in a slightly different position, so maybe that's why.

Between May 7 and September 24 2009 the panels were working for 246 hours total, about 1 hour 45 minutes each day on average. Between 18 May and today, 28 May 2010, they have operated for 56 hours, an average of about 5 hours 36 minutes a day. In addition, the water has been getting up to maximum temperature and has been working in clould as well as sunshine.

If it goes on like this then our gas bills will be even lower, which is great news.

We just need to make sure that squirrels/other wildlife don't take a fancy to the cable again!

Connected to the sun by solar hot water

The sensor has failed in our flat plate solar panels. This event has made me realise the effect on me of having solar panels to generate our hot water. I have become attuned to how they work, almost subconsciously noting what the sun is doing when and whether there's any need to boost the hot water using the gas boiler.

It's not a case of keeping a record, using data or even feeling the pipe connecting the panels and the tank. It's not a technical process, it's an awareness of the outdoor environment.

I hadn't realised it had happened until the panels weren't working. Even though I knew the panels weren't working I got caught out and found there was really cold water in the morning. I had based my decisions on use of the boiler on the amount of sun, completely forgetting the link had broken. Normally, with solar panels, there would still be hot water from the effect of yesterday's sun. However, without solar panels you have to use your boiler every day to get hot water, so it's in use throughout the summer when your space heating is turned off.

I am really looking forward to the new sensor being fitted so that I can get back into my solar cycle again. It's about more than the savings on our gas bills, which incidentally are noticeable following installation of the panels. Payback on the capital outlay may take time, but our bills now and into the future are lower, so worth doing.