Installer Magazine March 2012
In the drive to use energy more efficiently, effective measuring and monitoring is becoming increasingly valuable. The latest innovation from Energeno has been designed to help both the installer and the homeowner.
April 11, 2012
Sunny delight
Sunny delight - Renewable Energy Installer Jan/Feb 2012
The halving of the Feed-in Tariff does not mean the sun going down on solar PV, argues Mark Elliott of Energeno.
Bright future: Mark Elliot, Energeno, says there are still lots of opportunities to be had from solar PV
It was Harold McMillan who coined the phrase: ‘You’ve never had it so good’ in relation to full employment during the 1960s. Putting aside the scare stories of the potential solar PV job losses as a result of the recent government announcement on Feed-in Tariff (FiTs) levels, you could have used the same adage for the very generous subsidies that have been on offer up until now.
After energy minister Gregg Barker brought forward the halving of the FiT from April to mid-December, many solar PV companies argued that the sun has gone down on their growth ambitions.
Although the CBI announced that the government had scored an ‘own goal’ on its renewable ambitions because of the cost of solar jobs, my argument is that householders can now see the true value of their investment and what returns can be realised because they are no longer seduced by over-generous FiT payments. In short, the future is still bright. Instead of a sense of over-reliance on the subsidy, householders putting in PV will now have to work for their money. There is still a FiT and because the price of capital equipment is greatly reduced, the power is now truly in the hands of the consumer and the installer.
Up until now the MCS-approved installer has not really had to sell the benefits or explain how the consumer can track the performance of his system in terms of cost and carbon savings and the harvesting of energy that is returnable to the grid. Indeed for those householders keen to learn, they had to regularly monitor inverters and meters with difficult to understand displays often installed in lofts and outbuildings.
But technology now enables the installer to get this all-important message across in a simple-to-read – and even colour-coded format – which reveals the savings and the surplus energy, all in one convenient portable display, with no calculation required. More importantly, it is portable and rather like an ergonomic ‘home hub’ for the internet, can look like a design feature anywhere in the home. It can offer a digital read out of energy being produced and glows green when the system is in optimum mode – harvesting more energy than is being used in order that it can be sold back to the grid. Most importantly, those who have so far used the technology have saved an average of 20 per cent on their electricity bills.
To installers, the technology can remotely monitor the performance of the solar PV and flag up failing technology as an early warning system allowing them to add value to the relationship they have with that consumer. This is a big impact on the current one-transactional arrangement recently highlighted in theWHICH? Report that has dogged this fledgling industry to date. In future there will be a meeting of minds between a more sophisticated and informed consumer and a more proactive and collaborative installer community eager to bring greater innovation to the renewable market.
The sun has far from set on the solar PV industry. Consumers no longer blinded by cash incentives will drive demand through the savings they derive through the regular checking their levels of energy use and carbon reduction. This is not just in the home, but soon to be delivered to their smartphones as they go about their daily business.
This creates a level playing field where the customer is king and has a route to redress. Any shortfall in projected estimates can be addressed with the installer early on, whether it is down to a fault or a miscalculation. Also, through the next generation of remote monitoring, installers will be able to flag up issues and therefore be able to continue the valuable dialogue with the customer. It is at that stage that we can truly say: You’ve never had it so good!
May 12, 2011
April 18, 2011
Wattson en TerreEco
Bonjour à la communauté francophone
wattson est dans la revue, Terre Eco
February 23, 2011
December 15, 2010
Featured Wattson Owner: Week 2 - The Gibbins Family
When did you first purchase wattson?
I think we were one of the first wattson owners – we have an original wattson Limited Edition from December 2006.
Why did you decide to purchase wattson?
we wanted to understand more about our energy use, I thought the whole family would be able to enjoy using and get something positive out of it.
Please describe your experience of setting up wattson.
All the bits were there, we put it all together and had it working pretty quickly
How did you first use it?, were there any immediate discoveries that you made of your energy use?
we got it just before Christmas, and were astonished when we found how much energy the 10 little ceiling lights in our dining room were using after we finished a family dinner – we’ve since swapped all the halogen bulbs out for low energy ones, which wasn’t easy!
Where do you keep your wattson?
we keep it in the living room, and we can see it from the door when we walk past
How often did you (and do you now) check the data on wattson?
everytime I walk past the living room door. It was a big learning curve at first, now I just look at it to see what sort of level we’re using, and try to work out what’s making it so high.
Do you think wattson has changed the way you use electricity?
yes, definitely. We turn things off whenever we’re not using, we use dishwasher and washing machine overnight when it’s a lower rate, and the tumble dryer is now just for emergencies only
What is your favourite thing about wattson?
the way I feel satisfied when it’s humming away on blue. Can I have 2 things? I like it being a talking point in my living room too. The kids like the colours best.
Any other thoughts, experiences, stories about wattson?
the children have grown up with it and so are aware of the effect they can have on it, it’s not just me having to try to get them to turn things off, we’re all working on it together. My son has now joined the eco-group at school and he tells the other kids all about it.
December 03, 2010
Featured wattson user TONY
We’ve recently heard from Tony Dyhouse who has been using a wattson for three years and has over 1000 continuous days of logged data. We thought this was quite an achievement and so asked Tony to send in a photo and some of his experiences. See the full interview below.
We’re also planning on making this a regular feature so if you think you can beat the number of days of data, or have an interseting wattson story to tell, we’d like to hear from you.
When did you first purchase wattson?
In January 2008.
Why did you decide to purchase wattson?
I’m a geek. I love new technology, especially anything that connects to a computer. I confess the technical side was my main interest, rather than any thoughts of reducing my electricity bill or helping the environment.
Please describe your experience of setting up wattson.
Setup was easy. It worked out of the box. I especially liked the transmitter being battery powered as otherwise I would not have been able to get a power connection o it despite it sitting next to my meter!
How did you first use it?, were there any immediate discoveries that you made of your energy use?
Initially, as it wasn’t possible to set dual rates (as I recall), I didn’t bother with the exact prices shown but used them in a relative way. That is I used comparison between days and months to see what effect I was having.
I especially loved the simple and elegant design of Wattson. The lighting feature; changing from blue to red depending on usage, is very addictive. I wasn’t happy if it glowed red and would go about turning off devices to try and make the light blue!
Where do you keep your wattson?
I use a spare bedroom as an office it sits next to my pc. It’s permanently connected to the mains supply so that I don’t have to worry about the battery running out. However I do live in an area where there are regular power cuts so the battery maintains supply.
How often did you (and do you now) check the data on wattson?
I check the light regularly – it’s always in view. I upload the data to Holmes normally every week. On occasion I forget or am away and that time may be extended. Every time I collect new data I check out the graphs to watch for any abnormality or change.
Do you think wattson has changed the way you use electricity?
Yes. I didn’t set out to change my habits. I don’t see myself as an especially environmentally concerned person. I just love technology. But it did change my behavior. I became keen to change the red light to blue and that challenge has continued.
What is your favourite thing about wattson?
You may have guessed it… the light which changed colour according to usage. It makes saving energy fun. I also love the tilt mechanism for changing the data which is displayed. Altogether great design which fits any décor. There is a design flaw though which I mention later.
Any other thoughts, experiences, stories about wattson?
In my desperation to keep the light blue I made my wife’s life a misery. I was constantly nagging her to turn off lights, limit kettle use etc. I even purchased a one-cup kettle so I could see our graphs reduce.
December 01, 2010
Oliver Heath Recommends wattson
in a post for MyDeco, Oliver Heath recommnds wattson, saying:
'the now classic Wattson energy meter is a must for the style conscious eco hero this Christmas.'
To read the rest of his post, click here
October 29, 2010
October 28, 2010
October 22, 2010
September 24, 2010
Win a wattson Silverlining at Ethicalsuperstore.com!
HAVE A GO YOURSELF! CLICK HERE TO ENTER
Editors decision is final. You must be over 18 years to enter. No cash alternative. Competition closes midnight 31st October
