No Brainer 

Dear Editor

A no-brainer

Even prior to the eye-watering rise in electricity prices I would have strongly advised farmers to the merits of roof-fitted solar panels for generating electricity – with the doubling in the cost of each unit (kWh) of power it is now a no-brainer! Farms with their many out-buildings are ideally suited for such means of power generation. If a solar-battery system were to be installed then electricity would be available over a 24 hour period, realising that when there is insufficient sunlight, the batteries will be ‘topped up’ from the mains. The only down-side to a mains connected system, is during a power cut, as the solar array will also shut down for safety reasons to stop power being fed back into the Grid. For this reason, and if it really mattered, then a stand-alone system could be considered. I have a 4 kW capacity solar array fitted to the house roof and although not orientated for maximum solar generation, on average, still generates 4000 kWh per year. Thus an 8 kW capacity system and at optimum orientation (facing due south) would generate over 8000 kWh per year –what is there not to like? My latest book, All Smoke and Mirrors, has a chapter on solar energy plus many other issues such as wind energy, heat pumps and electric vehicles, etc. The book is available from Amazon, or on order from W H Smith or Waterstones, and at just £12.99 a copy could be the best investment, dear reader, you will make for some time.

Dave Haskell

Brithdir

Cardigan

SA43 1ER

Tel: 01239 614671