@bontwoody the old fashioned relays are the best way to interface different systems, simple and make diagnosis of problems a synch. If using them it's worth having the relays with a manual override too for commissioning and testing.

As it's been 8-months since you first posted @simonstengineer  I'm highlighting that post here so others can see the dialogue instigated by @bontwoody at that time!

And I'm pleased to see an electrician here....

I'm currently working on the design of ELV devices and off-grid storage which fall outside several categories of standards and rules. At some point the UK will need a Safety Guide as a basic minimum so that Parliament isn't forced into a knee-jerk reaction to legislate when there are accidents caused by well-intentioned DIY installers.

Observations and expertise shared on fora like this one are a good indicator of what useful content should be included in such ELV Safety Guidance.

@transparent Thank you for that, I am personally not in favour of ELV unless already available. Each conversion costs energy and power supplies have their own usage of power too. there was talk of 48V often used in battery storage, many pieces of equipment run at 24v and we are all aware of the mostly automotive 12v. We also have selv and pelv ac low voltage supplies so you see there are many iterations and therefore standards need to be set or confusion and incompatibility will follow.

@simonstengineer, welcome back and glad you unearthed the password reset email 😀.

Due to the intro forum getting sidetracked, the PV discussion that was ensuing has been moved here: https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/solar-photovoltaic-pv/pv-sizing-and-approvals

Hi there. I'm a new member. We've just had a Stiebel Eltron ASHP installed and so far, it is working great. Despite the high electricity prices, we seem to be making savings on our LPG tank, even at the old prices for LPG. We are hoping to get a wind turbine to power it all at some point. 

Welcome to the forums @knukes and thanks for sharing your experience. Would love to hear more about the options you're considering for wind turbines.

@editor Thank you. This forum has been really useful so thought I should join. I've also really enjoyed your experiences in My Home Farm as we have a similar situation out in the countryside.

We are looking at getting an SD6 turbine as we have a field with an electricity pylon in it that is also very windy. This should help to power our house (and its ASHP), office outbuilding (and its ASHP) and EV.

We've had a positive pre-planning application, but as we are in England, once we get to the planning stage, it only takes one person to object and then we won't be able to get it. Keeping our fingers crossed. 

Although most people go down the solar route, our house is 17th Century so panels on the roof would ruin the character of the house. They would also take up lots of room in the field meaning less space for my partner's horses.  

With us getting lots of wind in winter, turbines make a lot more sense for us than solar and a battery as we get more energy when we'll need it most. It is just frustrating that the planning situation is very complex. 

I suppose a wind turbine makes more sense than solar PV when powering an ASHP; one is more likely to need the warmth when it is windy than when it is sunny! ;-))) But really, both are good.

Hi @knukes - By all means start a fresh topic to discuss wind-turbines and planning.

This topic now exists here.

It raises issues of

• planning applications
• wind-noise
• shadow-flicker
• effects on bats

@transparent Thank you very much for that. I'll definitely set up another topic on this. We've had a pre-planning application that was generally positive (and let local councillors and neighbours know our plans), but bats were mentioned. So your insights on bats will be really useful. We are also have plenty of space away from neighbours so noise isn't an issue, but our neighbours are more interested in getting their own applications in if we are successful!

@toodles I’m in the same situation. Savings over the old LPG plus cost of wood for the wood burner but as we have already put in an 8kwh field plus the 4 on the roof I am concerned that the grid suppliers may not accept any increase in potential download