Solar panels
Posted by: 2roomsor1 on 18 September 2011
Question is Does solar effect the sound drastically?
I'd imagine it makes it brighter, but with more warmth.
Gary Crocker should know. 
I was being serious. Gray Crocker, the guy who developed the NDX for Naim, left the company and is now the owner of GC Solar Panels Ltd, of Salisbury, UK. Maybe worth sending him an email?
Good luck.
Hook
I looked into this a while back when we were considering solar panels. Most installations (unless you are wanting to go off-grid) just place the inverter which converts the DC voltage from the panels into AC to be fed into the grid, in parallel with the existing mains supply coming into the property so there is no change in the mains impeadance . As long as noise from the inverter isn't a problem (and compared to other devices in the home that sit on the mains supply, this is pretty benign) then you should find no issues. If like me, you do a lot of listening in the evening, then the panels will be producing next to no voltage and the inverter won't be operating. In the end we didn't go down the solar route, but given what i found, i'd have no hesitation in using it and having worries about it affecting my system.
James
A few months ago I had eight solar panels installed, in the configuration outlined by James, as well as an evacuated tube solar hot water system.
The solar systems had absolutely no effect on the sound of the hi fi, day or night, but did reduce electricity drawn from the grid by around 80%, which dispelled any minor feelings of guilt about leaving the green lights glowing.
I looked into this a while back when we were considering solar panels. Most installations (unless you are wanting to go off-grid) just place the inverter which converts the DC voltage from the panels into AC to be fed into the grid, in parallel with the existing mains supply coming into the property so there is no change in the mains impeadance . As long as noise from the inverter isn't a problem (and compared to other devices in the home that sit on the mains supply, this is pretty benign) then you should find no issues. If like me, you do a lot of listening in the evening, then the panels will be producing next to no voltage and the inverter won't be operating. In the end we didn't go down the solar route, but given what i found, i'd have no hesitation in using it and having worries about it affecting my system.
James
I completely agree with your reply...
There was an interesting study of solar power in New Zealand. In winter (grey skies and all), the panels do not contribute much. In summer, when electrical demand falls, they work well, but the overall effect is to cause more spilling on hydroelectric schemes as less generation is needed. In short, they don't do much to combat global warming in such use. If they were to replace coal or gas fired electricity it would be a different picture.
If you do go ahead make sure the people who do the work dont ride horses.
Had this done a few years back at my sports club......2 squash courts out of action for ages with bad roof leaks. BE CAREFUL
Mista H
My issue with rooftop domestic solar is that it is such a poor way to effect any reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (if that is the motivation). Much better to pool the investments into far more efficient industrial-scale renewables. A lot better bang-for-your-buck. The domestic subsidies that promote the extremely inefficient use of small-scale solar is just feel-good greenwash.