You are reading a single comment by @ffm and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
-
Solar panels aren't that heavy, and you could have it designed to be integrated into the roof, so don't need a roof covering?
With electricity prices increasing (even with a price cap, though we may be in for a massive shock in 2 years) solar panels makes sense.
You can also get electricity diversion, so it uses surplus solar energy to power a tank immersion heater.
Don't know the energy efficiency comparison between solar-thermal collectors vs similar area of PVs powering an immersion.A lot of the cost of solar panels is the scaffolding and labour, which would be similar for both types.
Acliff
@ffm
Our place is due a full refurb including plumbing and electrics. We're using an architect who's a qualified passivhaus designer, so he's very keen on at least costing some very efficient and future-proofed systems. Interior insulation for external walls (the cavity is very narrow), 300mm of loft insulation and new windows are the no-brainers and then he's suggested an ASHP along with an MVHR to avoid wasting heat. On the ground floor at least it looks like underfloor heating will be the best bet to save wall space (which isn't in massive supply), especially since the floor will be up anyway to insulate that.
Our roof is also bang-on South-facing so PVs seem like a good idea, except for the fact that the roof structure is a bit flimsy (we're getting it re-covered with lighter tiles/slates), so I'm wondering whether solar-thermal collectors feeding into a pressurised cylinder might be a better bet.
Our budget isn't endless and there's a lot to do on the house, so there may be some difficult decisions to make about which of these systems we can afford and which are best VfM.