Solar panels connected to storage heater

touchdown77

I have a garage with a reasonably large south facing roof, would it work to connect solar panels directly into a storage heater? so bypass inverter, esb meter etc, just connect straight to storage heater elements?

My thinking here is that the solar panels would charge up the storage heater during the day and the heat would dissipate overnight, keeping the garage warm'ish.

Any thoughts?

893bet

I can't see it being cost effective.

Might aswell just plug in an electric fire in there or heater if you need heat.

quentingargan

touchdown77 wrote: »

I have a garage with a reasonably large south facing roof, would it work to connect solar panels directly into a storage heater? so bypass inverter, esb meter etc, just connect straight to storage heater elements?

My thinking here is that the solar panels would charge up the storage heater during the day and the heat would dissipate overnight, keeping the garage warm'ish.

Any thoughts?

The panel has an optimum voltage at which it operates depending on the light available. An inverter has a power point tracking system that keeps the panel at its optimum output. You just won't get that if you put a resistive load like a heater onto it.

And there is a mismatch. Solar will work best in summer when you need it least. Solar air conditioning (if we ever need it) is a better marriage

Markcheese

For the money you'd spend setting up the system you could insulate your garage really well and run a tiny heater of some sort every now and again in winter...