Solar Panel Advice from Tim Cooper

Sample projects & solar panel analysis 

Information and data

We strongly believe in sharing our research and providing clear and transparent data for other users of PV technology. On this page, we have decided to provide detailed information on a variety of projects in which we are involved. If something is particularly relevant to you or if you have a project you would like to share with us, please contact us here. We can move forward quicker, together.


For astonishing data suggesting that the entire planet, not just the atmosphere, is heating up dramatically, please read the blog about the Green Building in Temple Bar. The temperature of the limestone bedrock deep under Dublin has risen dramatically since the borehole for the Green Building in Temple Bar was first tested, 28 years ago. The logical cause for this, we believe. is global warming.

Green dining

by RG323843 • 6 September 2021
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STORAGE COOKER THAT COULD BECOME THE HEART OF YOUR HOME

Carrigbeg

by A Rooney • 27 August 2020
Carrigbeg is a detached house in Dun Laoghaire built in 2009 with eight 160Wp Solarfun Monocrystalline PV modules on a south facing roof with a slope of c.35°. The DC output from the PV modules is converted into AC electricity by a Fronius IG15 inverter. The AC supply from the inverter is connected to the main household AC circuit. A MyEnergi Eddi controller diverts surplus PV output to a 3kW immersion heater in the HW tank. The house, which is occupied by two adults, is heated by a condensing gas boiler. Monthly energy consumption in Carrigbeg has been recorded since the Eddi controller was installed in February 2019. The resulting data set is summarised below;

The Green Building

by RG323843 • 14 May 2020
Urban sustainablity

Cove Mews

by RG323843 • 14 May 2020
The Passive House Plus standard when applied to this house indicated that the capacity of the PV array must be c.8.16 kWp at minimum. This was achieved using 24 LG 340Wp solar PV panels oriented East-West at a slope of 10°. The annual output from these PV panels, calculated using PVGIS, is 6,612 kWh. The total energy demand of the house (which is largely used for hot water and non-space heating appliances), calculated using 5-minute operating schedules for all electrical equipment and appliances, is 6,907 kWh.

Cherrytree Lodge

6 April 2020
Cherrytree Lodge is a 184 m2, A3 rated house, which was completed in February 2015. It is fitted with a whole house heat recovery ventilation unit. Heating and hot water is produced with a condensing gas boiler and a 4 panel 1 kWp PV system with string inverter. There is slight winter shading (that is increasing because of distant tree growth). The house is occupied by two adults and two children.

Turk Head

6 April 2020
This converted cottage is situated just outside Skibbereen in County Cork. It has both roof and ground mounted PV panels and has served as a base for both experimentation and data collection for thirteen years.
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