BRFR Cake Stop 'breaking news' miscellany

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

Pblakeney

Senior Member
Maybe time to remind people of the old saying - A stitch in time saves nine.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly22eelnxjo
 
OP
OP
briantrumpet

briantrumpet

Veteran
This is interesting.

https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au/in...king-ikea-launches-its-own-balcony-solar-kit/

According to reports, balcony solar systems typically save households about 30 per cent on their energy bills and cost and, with no installation fees, can pay for themselves within six years.

The base Ikea model Stream Complete Set S consists of two 450W rigid solar panels and an 800W microinverter. The next level up, the Stream Complete Set M, includes either two 450W or 520W solar panels and includes the Stream Pro Battery, with capacity of 1.92kWh and maximum input power of 1,500W.

For €60 more, you can swap to the Stream Ultra Battery, also with capacity of 1.92kWh, but with maximum PV input power of 2,000W and combining the 800W microinverter.

The range of kits continues to increase, with combinations including up to four modules ranging from 250W to 520W, either the Stream Pro or Stream Ultra batteries, and a variety of mounting brackets. And, of course, each of the components can be bought on their own.

The range of Stream balcony solar kits, which can be bought from the Svea Solar online store, are priced from €449 ($A) for the basic Stream Complete Set S, steps up to €1,229 ($A) for the Stream Complete Set M, and maxes out at €2,379 ($A) for the Stream Complete Set XL with four 520W solar panels, both the Stream Ultra and Stream AC Pro batteries, and basic mounting brackets.

admin-ajax.jpg
 

First Aspect

Senior Member
Clearly it's intended more for a European apartment culture market. In the UK a lot of buildings would have rules prohibiting them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: C R
It struck me, reading that, that it's at a price point that could lead to widespread uptake. It wouldn't work for me here, but could do in France.

The consultation is here, but I haven't read it yet.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/solar-roadmap

Solar panels are now ludicrously cheap, so a lot of the cost associated with using them is now the other stuff (installation, cables, mounts etc.) So, yes, it seems like a great way to get some solar without having to change much. That said, I'm not sure how many properties are suitable - for example, I don't have a balcony.
 
  • Like
Reactions: C R
OP
OP
briantrumpet

briantrumpet

Veteran
Clearly it's intended more for a European apartment culture market. In the UK a lot of buildings would have rules prohibiting them.

For sure, but it's the kind of thing that could suddenly bring the possibility into a lot more people's awareness: it's the concept of a simple home kit from an internationally popular retailer that caught my eye.
 
OP
OP
briantrumpet

briantrumpet

Veteran
The consultation is here, but I haven't read it yet.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/solar-roadmap

Solar panels are now ludicrously cheap, so a lot of the cost associated with using them is now the other stuff (installation, cables, mounts etc.) So, yes, it seems like a great way to get some solar without having to change much. That said, I'm not sure how many properties are suitable - for example, I don't have a balcony.

Maybe in time the concept could be developed to be (reasonably) easily attached to walls - I can see why the balcony option would be the first one to be targeted, as no ladders are required and the 'framework' for attachment is already there.
 

First Aspect

Senior Member
The consultation is here, but I haven't read it yet.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/solar-roadmap

Solar panels are now ludicrously cheap, so a lot of the cost associated with using them is now the other stuff (installation, cables, mounts etc.) So, yes, it seems like a great way to get some solar without having to change much. That said, I'm not sure how many properties are suitable - for example, I don't have a balcony.

I do, but it's so small it would make more sense to put them on a roof. I suspect the UK market will be small, because the owner occopied housing stock is predominantly small houses with small roofs and small gardens.

There's a certain idiocy to the way the UK does this, in that if I wanted instead to put them on the ground, I'd need planning permission.
 
  • Like
Reactions: C R
OP
OP
briantrumpet

briantrumpet

Veteran
I do, but it's so small it would make more sense to put them on a roof. I suspect the UK market will be small, because the owner occopied housing stock is predominantly small houses with small roofs and small gardens.

There's a certain idiocy to the way the UK does this, in that if I wanted instead to put them on the ground, I'd need planning permission.

But there's the thing about this being small scale that (I think) could lead to their take-up even with those size restraints. If lots of people do a little bit, it adds up to quite a big area.

I can't understand why the push to make all new homes have solar panels of some type isn't being addressed with more urgency, other than housebuilders not wanting to have to adapt their practices.
 
  • Like
Reactions: C R

Pblakeney

Senior Member
But there's the thing about this being small scale that (I think) could lead to their take-up even with those size restraints. If lots of people do a little bit, it adds up to quite a big area.

I can't understand why the push to make all new homes have solar panels of some type isn't being addressed with more urgency, other than housebuilders not wanting to have to adapt their practices.

I think you’ve answered your own dilemma. 😉
 
Top Bottom