Joining the Renewable Heating Hub forums is completely free and only takes a minute. By registering you’ll be able to ask questions, join discussions, follow topics you’re interested in, bookmark useful threads and receive notifications when someone replies. Non-registered members also do not have access to our AI features. When choosing your username, please note that it cannot be changed later, so we recommend avoiding brand or product names. Before registering, please take a moment to read the Forum Rules & Terms of Use so we can keep the community helpful, respectful and informative for everyone. Thanks for joining!
SolarPV tables / online calculator
Is there some table or an online calculator that I can look up expected solarPV kWh generated by month, for my latitude/longitude & azimuth & tilt? Need the figures by the month. Thanks, Michelle
I'd be interested what others find whilst using that web app, @gary. It's a great resource but it does also highlight how local variations in conditions can affect the theoretical output.
For me, it overestimates by about a quarter which on the face of it is quite a significant margin. However, in practice there are some extras to factor in:
- Shading isn't a big issue but we're not completely immune.
- Although our kWp is calculated on the number and capacity of all the panels, there are four which are not on the main South-facing elevation. This is really important in capturing the early sun and therefore extending the period when we don't have to draw from the battery but it is at the expense of absolute amount of electricity generated.
- Our panels are now four years old so there will be some degradation in their generating capabilities now.
All that is entirely reasonable and if I factor those points in then the web app is doing a pretty reasonable predictive job. However, it's worth remembering these points since if I was making a buying decision based on expecting to generate 6MW/year and ended up getting 4.5-5 then I'd be a bit miffed.
105 m2 bungalow in South East England
Mitsubishi Ecodan 8.5 kW air source heat pump
18 x 360W solar panels
1 x 6 kW GroWatt battery and SPH5000 inverter
1 x Myenergi Zappi
1 x VW ID3
Raised beds for home-grown veg and chickens for eggs
"Semper in excretia; sumus solum profundum variat"
Posted by: @majordennisbloodnokI'd be interested what others find whilst using that web app, @gary. It's a great resource but it does also highlight how local variations in conditions can affect the theoretical output.
We've only had our solar since last June, but so far for me it's been very accurate and within the published standard deviation each month.
Posted by: @majordennisbloodnokFor me, it overestimates by about a quarter which on the face of it is quite a significant margin. However, in practice there are some extras to factor in:
- Shading isn't a big issue but we're not completely immune.
- Although our kWp is calculated on the number and capacity of all the panels, there are four which are not on the main South-facing elevation. This is really important in capturing the early sun and therefore extending the period when we don't have to draw from the battery but it is at the expense of absolute amount of electricity generated.
- Our panels are now four years old so there will be some degradation in their generating capabilities now.
All that is entirely reasonable and if I factor those points in then the web app is doing a pretty reasonable predictive job. However, it's worth remembering these points since if I was making a buying decision based on expecting to generate 6MW/year and ended up getting 4.5-5 then I'd be a bit miffed.
Yes, I think you'd need to create separate arrays for each roof aspect, and then combine them to get a representative total. Mine is straight forward as it's a single aspect that is unshaded, hence the results seem remarkably accurate.
Samsung 12kW gen6 ASHP with 50L volumiser and large radiators. 7.2kWp solar (south facing), Tesla PW3 (13.5kW). Net Zero
This guy did a good analysis
https://protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2022/03/16/analysis-16-years-of-solar-pv-data/
in summary go down a bit more at first then steady slighter decline. The “spec” is 20% down in 25 years.
2kW + Growatt & 4kW +Sunnyboy PV on south-facing roof Solar thermal. 9.5kWh Givenergy battery with AC3. MVHR. Vaillant 7kW ASHP (very pleased with SCOP >4) open system operating on WC
Posted by: @agentgeorgeyour tag line has a typo
suus should be sumus (always)
Quite right. Amended, and thanks for spotting. Rather proves the point, eh?
105 m2 bungalow in South East England
Mitsubishi Ecodan 8.5 kW air source heat pump
18 x 360W solar panels
1 x 6 kW GroWatt battery and SPH5000 inverter
1 x Myenergi Zappi
1 x VW ID3
Raised beds for home-grown veg and chickens for eggs
"Semper in excretia; sumus solum profundum variat"
Currently viewing this topic 1 guest.
- 27 Forums
- 2,811 Topics
- 66.5 K Posts
- 2,481 Online
- 7,222 Members
Join Us!
Installer Finder
Degrees of Separation
Latest Posts
-
RE: Heat Geek installations: share your experiences
@batpred I have a 400% Combined Minimum Performance gu...
By L8Again , 4 minutes ago
-
RE: Renewables & Heat Pumps in the News
I doubt they will hit the existing budget limit, lookin...
By Temperature_Gradient , 50 minutes ago
-
RE: DIY powerflushing tutorial
The problem is that while inhibitors inhibit metal corr...
By Pirate Rich , 1 hour ago
-
RE: How Can I Prove Coal Was My Main Heating Source Without Receipts?
@etchedpixels thank you for the advice paid cash all...
By Chilli304 , 10 hours ago
-
RE: Why don't people choose heat pumps?
Savings you need to consider versus the investment valu...
By EtchedPixels , 22 hours ago
-
RE: The Changing Jet Stream Could Challenge UK Air Source Heat Pumps
@susannasaunders An interesting conversation to have ...
By Rob of York , 1 day ago
-
RE: How much of your renewable and home setup would still work if the internet went down?
Yes, in my case, the ISP hub is permanently there, they...
By Batpred , 1 day ago
-
RE: Electricity price predictions
@rob-of-york sounds like a term that Heidegger would...
By Papahuhu , 1 day ago
-
RE: Adding data centre electricity costs to domestic energy bills?
never ceases to amaze me.. Keeping steel works going ...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding reduced by circa £750 million in 2026 budget
Absolutely agree. The massive Hager CU my vaillant requ...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: Octopussy cosy 6 experience
People who have a Cosy appear generally to be happy wit...
By JamesPa , 2 days ago
-
I thought the cr*p came first and the biofuel came afte...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 2 days ago
-
RE: Aerotherm and weather compensation
@jamespa I replied yesterday with detailed readings whi...
By DavidB , 4 days ago
-
RE: Marvel Heating liquidation
@editor This is an important point. each winter, you...
By davidnolan22 , 4 days ago
-
RE: Solar Power Output – Let’s Compare Generation Figures
Very nice. we’ve been super soggy here, but rather m...
By Papahuhu , 5 days ago



