Hundreds of solar powered homes are to be monitored as part of a new project aimed at improving energy efficiency.
More than 400 customers with solar photvoltaic panels will take part in the £54million project, which will monitor electricity comsumption and generation.
Scientists from Durham University will study the data from the homes across Yorkshire and north east England to look at how much electricity each of the solar panels produces and what excess is transmitted back into the grid.
The project, a collaboration between British Gas, Northern Powergrid, EA Technology and the university, is aimed at how to accomodate the increase in low carbon technology and best to reduce local demand on electricity networks.
“Solar power is an important part of our renewable energy mix,” said Dr Liz Sidebotham of the CLNR, which is monitoring the energy consumption.
“Trial data will give us a better understanding of the UK’s future energy needs. Initial findings suggest that PV customers are typically more engaged and interested in their energy use than those without LCTs, and use more electricity during the day, during solar energy generation.
“This is interesting as they may consume less energy in the early evening, during peaks in electricity demand when networks are under most pressure.”
