CASTELLANO
SOLAR POWER SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
The solar system that was installed for this project was based on an American plaque with a groundfos pump forcing water up 30m into holding tanks at the top of the valley
Installation was 13 years ago, at a capital cost of £13,000. Whilst the initial cost was high, it was considered important to compare this cost with that of generating power from a diesel machine, plus the comparative costs of maintenance, fuel and replacement over a long period. This solar system over the last 13 years has proven to be extremely cost effective. No maintenance has been required. Power loss has been minimal. There is now an added bonus because mains power has reached the valley, bringing the possibility of selling electricity to the national supplier, giving us payback on our original capital outlay. A further bonus is that grants are now available to upgrade and improve this system.
After 20 years, our original thought of using solar power with it's high capital costs, over diesel has proved to be the correct one as it has been more economical in the long term. The solar system continues to produce the same power as 10 years previously. It is a static system and requires no maintenance. The pump has only needed to be serviced once. Had we gone for diesel generation, we would be into our third engine by now. The cost of our system is very high but this is because we are pumping to a great height. A more normal application would be on a solar panel (500pounds) and a pump. This would provide most irrigation needs and could be used anywhere by anyone. No technical knowledge is needed.
All in all this has proven to be a sound financial investment and from now on will operate to generate income.
As development of the technology is changing fast, we are constantly updating our knowledge on present designs and cost effectiveness.
We can provide an advisory service on grants and grant applications.
Our aim, as stated before, is to save you money. We achieve this by designing our systems to produce work by energy re-use. With the solar system we have developed extra electricity from hydro power by the control of an overflow system.
Because our energy from the sun is producing most of the time, the water pumping system is left on. Once our tanks are full we have designed a syphonic system to return excess water to the lower levels. This head of water produces enough power to drive a small water turbine, adding extra energy to our storage. During this period the solar pump cuts out automatically, transfering solar power to the storage system, so we benefit twice. The syphonic return was designed primarily to stop calcium furring up the circulation pipes, so has two uses. Our edible fish also benefit from the oxygenated returned water.
The principles of design behind all this can be used in a variety of ways in all sizes of buildings and we can provide good
practical advice on this.
Wherever you are, wherever you live and whatever you live/work in, heat can be collected for free and re-used. Whether it be heat gained from below ground or collected from the sun, each system, after initial installation, will cost you nothing. Not only will it cost you nothing, but it can be re-used again and again. It can even be stored to be used at will.
The systems we design can be as simple or as complex as you require. Each individual requirement is, of course, different, but we pride ourselves in designing systems to suit all tastes. Contact us for advice.
Gordon Greig designs systems for sustainable and renewable energy - size no problem.
Email:lynnesears@hotmail.com
RE-USABLE HEAT
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