Solar PV from Building DIY ebook

This sounds too good to be true as even a small system can cost well over £10,000 so what is the deal? Is it a scam? How does it affect your house and mortgage?

The deal is this: a company (there are a few doing this, with varying standards) will buy and install a large grid of solar PV panels, typically 12 or more, onto your roof if suitable.

The panels will generate electricity (electrons) when receiving light (photons) from the sun (an action first postulated by Einstein in 1905, as an explanation for the photoelectric effect previously ‘discovered’ by Heinrich Hertz in 1887).

Solar PV fitting by the Green Home Company, who are accredited

How does it work – financially

So how does this work financially? What are the benefits to you and to the company?

The solar PV panels will generate electricity. Some is used ‘live’ in the house. However a lot of electricity is used in the evenings and night, when it is dark, so the actual percentage of ‘live’ electricity from the panels will be smaller than your actual overall electricity use. So you will still get electricity bills.

The company gets the excess electricity that is sent back into the grid. The Government has a new (April 2010) Feed In Tariff (FIT) scheme which means they make the energy supplying companies (like EDF, or First Utility etc) pay a set amount for any electricity put back into the grid, at a set rate that is over the market value. This could have been done 10 years ago by the supposedly ‘green’ Labour Party but was not… to busy spending money on other things.

The company is renting a large part of your roof space and has a 25 year lease. That will add complications if you want to sell your house, although they claim mortgage companies do not mind. I would like to see some actual examples of people selling their houses with this fitted. It might not annoy the mortgage company or their solicitors (although they are very picky), it might deter buyers, or it might encourage buyers. Generally, you are giving up rights to part of your house for a smallish return.

This FIT scheme is to encourage people to fit solar panels. It is the European model, used a lot in Germany, where people cover their house and gardens, in solar panels to get a profit from the FIT rate.

So the installing solar company make this profit from excess electricity that is fed back into the grid.

Now, this is easily the majority of the electricity generated, as the panels will be producing the most energy in day time and summer days when no lights or heater are on in the house. Also in the winter when an electric bar or convector heater might be used to warm up rooms, the panels will be least efficient and producing less electricity – so you will still be using grid (pay for) energy.

You will definitely save on your electricity bills, the companies claim up to 50% – but that of course includes 10% or so.

Note: solar panels can’t be fixed to normal slate roof tiles as they damage too much, only clay or solid tiles.

So in brief:

Summer - lots of solar power – no use for it – excess energy goes to the grid – FIT money goes to the installing Company
Winter - hardly any solar power – lots of use for it – no excess energy – no FIT either

So over the sunny months, the investment of the installing company does very well, in the winter, it is in hibernation. Of course if the UK was more southerly, the solar input would be more equal all year round.

So you can see how this is quite profitable for the solar company, but not so great for the householder. The solar company is renting your roof space for their profit. You will gain only a small part of the electricity benefit as explained above.

This is obvious once you think about it, as otherwise, why would they buy the expensive panels and go to all the trouble of fitting them and doing all the paperwork etc?

Despite this it still might be a good idea if you are running a home smelting company (or a home office with several computers), if you work mainly in the summer.

See the Building DIY section on Solar Panels and Solar Energy >

Advanced systems include PV-T which is Solar PV and Solar Thermal combined – see our advice >

To save a bit of money by using solar energy to heat water see the Building DIY Solar Thermal panels advice and fitting >

Solar thermal even works in the winter as the new high tech vacuum systems use a temperature difference not absolute temperature to generate heat.

Tacita Dean FILM Tate Modern London SE1

The Turbine Hall is the cavernous space where the workings of the power station – the turbines – did there stuff. Now is it given over to art installations, which provide a good focus for visitors, somewhere for the kids to run about, and the chance for artists to make a large scale work.

The current installation is called FILM by Tacita Dean and is yes it is a film piece.

Kids running about at Turbine Hall, Tacita Dean FILM Tate Modern London SE1

Tacita Dean is an English artist (b. 1965) who works in a variety of media, including film. She likes to physically manipulate the film, and the large scale film she has created was made in the camera – which is an old technique to make experimental films, not using any modern digital post-production. Basically the film is shot in the camera (no editing or splicing afterwards, one take, then the actual celluloid is coloured, layered (montage). This might involve film printing in special machines but this is not mentioned in the notes. She has not used any scratch techniques – by which I mean actual scratching of the film surface to make lines etc – the effects are mainly overlay of images, dual or triple compositions, and a lot of colour blocks.

Tacita Dean FILM Tate Modern London SE1

There are Dada and Surreal references, which is appropriate for this ‘retro’ film style, since hardly anyone does this kind of thing any more, it is all digital for YouTube.

Tacita Dean FILM Tate Modern London SE1

This installation is part of the Unilever Series and is at Tate Modern until 11 March 2012, so plenty of time to see it. The file called ‘FILM’ is 35mm color and black and white, portrait format anamorphic, mute (no sound), looped, 11 minutes long. That’s a funny title – is Tacita Dean possessing all of FILM in this piece? Perhaps the Stan Brakhage bit. (He was an American non-narrative film maker in case you wondered – big in the 70s and 80s).

Tacita Dean FILM Tate Modern London SE1

What is the connection to Building and DIY? I (the editor) used to hang out at the London Film-Makers’ Co-op in the 1980s, they had all sorts of this equipment for real film processing. Then the LFMC got moved from the large, messy, friendly (and sometimes noisy) premises over a Chinese laundry in Camden, to special new premises in Shoreditch, and it all went horribly wrong.

Tacita Dean FILM Tate Modern London SE1

Also Tacita Dean is using images of the power station in the film, as the backdrop for the manipulations and effects. The use of physical film is ‘retro’ as is the mundane practical old building, now converted to a modern art gallery for the leisured middle classes and hordes of students, and kids.

Here are some images from the piece, called ‘Film’. It is created sideways (90 degree rotation) so it is in portrait mode, and is huge, shown in a dark cinematic space.

Tacita Dean FILM Tate Modern London SE1

Tacita Dean FILM Tate Modern London SE1

Tacita Dean FILM Tate Modern London SE1

Tacita Dean FILM Tate Modern London SE1

Tacita Dean FILM Tate Modern SE1

See our pages on PHOTOGRAPHING ARCHITECTURE & BUILDINGS >

And although not film – DIGITAL CAMERAS – COMPACT & DSLR >

Wallpaper background inside furniture - cupboard dresser

We have an old traditional Welsh dresser which is used for glassware and crockery. The drawers and cupboards in the lower half are very useful. However the furniture is made of a very dark wood.

The overall appearance was always very dark and gloomy. We had various ideas – sell it; paint it; separate into two halves (it it two units placed together); or just paint the inside.

Wallpaper background furniture close-up

The best idea was to wallpaper inside the cupboard, so that the background for the glasses, pots etc is light and also attractively designed.

A verbena pattern was used. It was stuck on with double sided tape, and cut around the shelf supports. See the following photo image for detail of the furniture inside corners, the wallpaper is cut carefully around the supports for the shelves. The alternative is to wallpaper then put the supports back in, which is a lot more work.

Wallpaper background furniture - detail of wallpaper cutting and positioning

See our pages on:

DIY Building wallpaper wallcovering advice >

and

Wallpaper – DIY general advice and design ideas >

Window frames should be wooden to match the old style property. See these photo images below to get an idea of what needs to be done. This is not a DIY fix, this is all done by the skilled double glazing and framing experts. This is what differentiates the cheap salespeople that flog rubbish double glazing around the streets, and the experts who are usually in great demand and have a waiting list.

They will measure up the window gap, and fit the new double glazed window into the old frame, if it is in good condition. Sometimes a whole new frame will be needed. This includes the cable system that makes the window go up and down, which is called a sash system.

Double glazing will increase the energy efficiency of your home, prevent draughts, and also increase security. Good quality double glazing will also increase the value of your home – but low quality double glazing will reduce it!

Photos and Images of double glazing

Double glazing sash windows

Above: you can see how the framing is made and then glued to the glass. The double glazed unit is factory made as usual. The fancy framing to match the old style property is actually fake!

Double glazing sash window frame closeup

Above: close up of the curved wooden detailing on the glass – can see the back of the matching other side piece through the glass.

Double glazing sash windows

Above: general view of this fantastic looking old style window, with the latest high quality double glazing. Not brass window locks – security is a big issue these days and these windows come with high quality locks including bolt locks on the inside of the frames, and side limiters so you can open the window a small distance in hot weather.

Double glazing security locks close up

Above: nice looking brass locks give authentic traditional appearance and are very safe and practical too.

For more details on energy efficiency ratings etc, see our DIY Building Glazing ratings and details advice >

And our DIY Building advice on types of window frames >

Friday and Saturday it is open 10am to 6pm, Sunday is 10am to 5pm.

Main sections are:

Interiors - furnishing, furniture, lighting, carpets, wallpaper, paint etc – but grand
Build - for self builders and DIY buildings and DIY builders
Kitchens - your dream kitchens and mastering the culineray arts – chefs available – sponsored by Miele
Bathrooms - styles, fittings and finishes, all the latest energy and water saving devices
Gardens - big and small – grow your won
Food - kitchens live!
Village - full size buildings to explore
Technology - home tech including AV audio visual, security, 3D and more

Crest roofing and tiling display at the Grand Designs 2009 show

Eco Heat underfloor heating at the above show

British Eco wind turbine at the above Grand Designs show.

See Grand Design 2011 NEC >

The New Products section of the show is based on three main themes with a ‘path’ or ‘trail’ to guide a visitor through the vast show. This is a great idea as these shows can be like going to disorganised shopping malls, with no shops just hundreds of stands.:

• Design trail
• Innovation trail
• Eco trail

Where?

NEC (National Exhibition Centre)
Birmingham
West Midlands
B40 1NT

DIY Building went to the 2009 show, here are some Grand Designs Show photo pages >

Insulation is less of a concern in the summer, obviously, so that is a good time to fit it. But if you haven’t it is not too late.

Modern insulation standards are very high. In the UK, BREEAM standards cover all aspects of building homes and offices. So if you buy a new build, or newly converted, property you should have excellent insulation.

We have an advice on DIY Building – Insulation >

Wall insulation - pictures - from our Ebook

Sound insulation is controlled under the ‘robust details’ standards.

See advice on DIY Building sound insulation robust details >

If your property is older than 2000 or so, ie, a typical renovation, conversion or older property, it is most likely the insulation is bad. This is because it is an ‘invisible’ feature so developers can save money by fitting low quality basic insulation. This means higher fuel bills and also more noise pollution.

Noise nuisance is an all year round problem – either you make the noise – young children, music, parties, trombone practice – or your neighbours do – but you ALL get to hear it!

This is true of all old buildings, not just cheaply built modern properties. Desirable Edwardian and Victorian houses are usually ’single skin’ – one layer of brick, without even a cavity wall double layer structure.

Loft and attic insulation

Loft spaces (attics in the USA) are another huge source of lost heat (is that gramatically correct?). Most of your expensive heat escapes through the ceiling into the roof space and hence the outside.

It is cheap and easy to lay rolls of loft insulation so get to it!

If you are short of cash, there might be grants for loft insulation, so call your local Council. It must be done anyway, as it will immediately save money on heating.

See DIY Building on Lofts, attics, an dother extensions to the home >

Loft attic stairs can be noisy!

Glazing and double glazing

Double glazing is another must-have, but this is expensive. See our DIY Building advice on windows and glazing >

Energy efficiency and greening the housing stock

Lack of insulation is a major problem with housing in the UK or anywhere else. The existing housing stock is so poorly insulated, that is where the money should be spent.

New build homes with high insulation and building standards are a very small part of the picture, under 1% of housing stock. Even less now there are fewer new houses being built due to the recession (the company that runs this website stopped building eco houses in 2007 due to banking failures, not lack of demand).

We will be adding more posts about Autumn, Fall and Winter jobs such as how to prepare your garden, guttering, roofing, walls, water inress, damp, mould, etc.

Reference:

Visit website for insulation and building standards at BREEAM >

Building a Greener Britain (improving the UK’s housing stock) (pdf) >

This is a big show with a focus on saving energy – hardly surprising as energy prices have increased so much. This having the green effect as saving money is a bigger motivator than saving the planet.

There are big areas devoted to:

Insulation
Real Homes Live Seminar sessions from various experts.

Underfloor heating
In the Real Homes Live! Theatres.
Underfloor heating used to seem very glamorous and expensive, but it is more energy efficient. Simply, the heat is distributed where it is needed – your feet – to make you feel warmer. Rather than ending up at the ceiling level like conventional radiators which work (badly) by convection.

See our sections on:

Introduction to Underfloor heating >

Hot water underfloor heating >

and Electric underfloor heating >

Eco lighting
In the Home Entertainment & Technology Zone.
Much improved now, can get decent lighting levels out of energy efficient tubes.

See our section on Lighting technology explained >

Secondary glazing
Also known as double glazing or even triple glazing (which adds a sound and heat loss reducing third layer).
Check out advice for windows, conservatories, etc.

Green finishes
This is at Julia Kendell’s Interior’s Pavilion.
See eco paints, eco flooring, eco furnitures. Basically it is about sustainable matericla (bamboo, hemp, etc) and using natural solvents rather than dangerous ones. All the main paint manufacturers are into this now, in premium ranges (ie, people still mainly buy traditional paints).

See our section on Building and DIY Paint >

Heat pumps
See the Masterclass sessions.
Alternative off-grid heat and energy is the way forward, but one little used in the UK, unlike say Germany. UK prefers huge projects like the Severn barge, massive wind farms… is that to do with the vast bureaucracies needed to organise such projects?
What happened to all that about Britain leading the way for green tech?
The Sustainable Development Commission SDC has just been closed down…

We have a lot of pages on renewable energy, have a look around the site.

Solar heating
Solar panels, PV, thermal, costs and benefits.

See our section on Solar Energy >

Boilers
See our sections on Eco Green Homes > and use the navigation.

Water recycling
Go to The Advice Centre on how to save up to half of your water needs from grey water recycling. Expensive to install but saves money over the long term.

See Water use in houses >

There are also big section on Gardens, Design, Kitchens, Home Entertainment, Layout, etc.

To get tickets (£8 advance, £12 on door) go to The National Home Improvement Show site >

Make the most of this weekend and the most of your home at The Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Surrey!

When?

THIS Weekend!
Join us Saturday 10am – 5pm &
Sunday 10am – 4.30pm

Where?
A venue close to home: Sandown Park Race Course, Esher KT10 9AJ
Easy access by car, rail or air.

Why?

NOW 200 companies! 50 more expert companies to compare than last year

Save Money by comparing 1000s of products and services

Gain confidence when you Ask an Expert for free advice

Make the most of your plans -
Ask an Architect for FREE

Unmissable seminars to help you plan your project

Must see masterclasses
to help you stay on time and on target

Discover Tricks of the Trade with the
DIY Doctor

Discover eco-efficient products and
new technologies

How?

Book Now! The Box Office closes at 3pm on Friday – book now to get advanced tickets for ONLY £5!

Tickets are £8 on the door, and all under 16s go in free

Repair this house

Unless your holiday is DIY… well maybe it is too hot to do much but if you feel the need for a sweaty workout try some of these. Feeling fit?

Garages and carports

Needs a lot of work, and help from at least on one other or you might have an accident. A garage is a large DIY Building project. Summer is a good time though as you might (well possibly) escape the rain. The job will take several days so be prepared for cover in case it does rain after all.

Garage and carports >

Garage door types and tips >

Garage doors and security >

Barbecues

Building a brick or stone barbecue is a good small job, no one will get hurt much if it is a bit rough, in fact it might add to the charm.

Build a brick barbecue or oven >

Garden – Water features

Might be too hot but have a go as this is a good time for building garden features like waterfalls, fountains, ponds etc – which are good for biodiversity.

Garden waterfalls and water features >

Garden fountains >

Green roof and vertical garden

You can also try a Green roof or vertical garden >

Garden – Swimming pools

This should have been done in the spring! Now you have to watch the contractors digging and making the pool while you sit and… don’t swim.

Swimming pool – above ground >

Outdoor buildings and outhouses

Sheds, garden offices, pagodas, pergolas, awnings, canopies – these can all be built or erected in the summer.

Make sure they are strong enough for the winter winds though.

Awnings and canopies >

Garden buildings general article >

Garden sheds and useful buildings >

Garden tool sheds and storage >

Roofing covered in tarpaulin

Roofs and roofing

Check your roof is OK in the summer as it is easy to fix when dry and with easy access.

Roof and roofing materials >

Lofts and attic conversion

As there is less rain, summer is an ideal time to do this kind of work. Better to start in the spring though as this is usually major work and can take 3 months easily, though outside roof and structural work is at the start only.

Make your own retractable pull-down loft stairs >

Lofts and attic conversion >

Cladding

Cladding is on the outside of the house so is best to repair or replace in the summer.

Cladding >

Window frames, damp proof courses dpc, gutters

Check these also in case of damage, disrepair, or blockage. DPC is easier to do in the dry. Windows and frames are better changed in the dry but it is a quiick job. If you are self repairing is a good time. Blocked gutters regularly cause floods, and if the top roof floods, you whole house will get wet.

Damp proof DPC >

Window frames >

Outside walls and fencing

You can also build any fencing, fences, walls, paving etc.

Fencing fences and outdoor walls >

Driveways and paving, patios

Garden patio furniture outdoor

All these features can also be made or repaired more easily in the summer.

Driveways and access roads and paths >

Painting and Decorating

Sounds obvious but if your family are more outside in the summer, it is easier to paint and wallpaper and decorate the interior. Also you can ventilate more easily. Although if you use our recommended eco solvent-free paint, that is not a problem, and your home will not smell of petrochemicals for years either.

Wallpaper and decorating >

Paint and painting >

OK that is twelve and some of these are combinations but you get the general idea! Good luck and don’t forget safety precautions.

Workshops on renovation, DIY, remodeling, building for amateurs.

There are Masterclasses and also open format Ask the Experts sessions.

Masterclasses are on:

9.30 to 10.15 am Walking Tours – Self Build & Renovation
These are on all day and comprise an expert walking and talking around the many standing exhibits in the centre.

10.30 to 11.15 am Is It For Me?

Some jobs are too big for beginners. So get an idea of the scope of a job before you create a disaster.

11.30 to 12.15am Finding and Funding Your Project
This covers financing for land, construction, materials, workers, insurance etc.

1 to 1.45pm Design, Planning & Sustainable Building

Just get it in budget. This is a hard one as things get added (let’s have a wine cellar!), or the spec improves (you are buying flooring and suddenly decide the better version is what you want) so always add a bit – perhaps 50%.

3.00 to 3:45pm Project Management

Don’t made horrible expensive mistakes. Hire an expert to run your job – you can still be hands-on.

4 to 4:45pm Walking Tours – Self Build & Renovation

More walk and talk with the experts.

Go here for Tickets and more details >