I would "out of priciple" not choose Enel, because as a former state owned company with loads of conflict of interest, they have been a major obstacle to the diffusion of alternative energy here in Italy.That said, their offers are probably as valid as anybody elses.Get 3 estimates for an installation "chiavi in mano" from 3 installation companies near you, evaulate guarantees on panels and inverter, future maintenance etc. and choose the one that seems to "know what they're doing".My husband is a PV project engineer, and when he makes estimates they also include the economic simulation of your payback time, drawings, and they will help the client with contacts to banks etc.His company only moves outside Abruzzo in case of big installations, but, if you're in doubt about what estimate to choose, you may PM me and I'll get him to have a quick look at it.Good luck :-)
No, you've got it right :-) You DON'T need batteries, if you are feeding into the grid.That also means that it is absolutely irrelevant whether you match your energy consumption or not. A PV-installation will normally produce excess electricity in summer, where your electricity accounting will be "positive" and perhaps too little in winter, but on an annual basis this will be EVENED OUT on the net metering. If you're positive, ENEL will give you an "energy credit" to be consumed in the future.The PV-installation will normally be designed to MATCH your electricity consumption, if space for panels allow for it. Then panel prices go down and efficiency goes up continously, so installation area and investment changes rapidly, but the incentives eventually run out, and now it is a secure investment in an economically fragile climate, and the last 10-20 years of installation life, incentives and electricity will all go in your pocket.You normally use gas for heating here in Italy, so I can't see the big relevance with regard to insulation, but I agree that it is the easiest place to start energy saving, something that we should all consider.The ONLY drawback may be the relatively high initial investment 20.000 euros for a 3 kWp system, but the banks are generally positive about this.I've not heard about zero-interest loans from any bank ever...normally they offer interest rates like EURIBOR + 0,75 or 1 %.There are no government incentives for stand-alone PV-systems with batteries, which may be a very viable solution in isolated mountain areas with no electricity. Generally batteries lower efficiency a lot, but when you are talking electricity vs. no electricity, it's worth considering.
Quoted:Perhaps, we could say that the basic recipe is made of alternate layers of white sauce, lasagna sheets, ragú (and here you can have a great variety of sauces) finishing the layers with a mixture of white and tomato sauces and plenty of grated parmesan cheese.... but then...I agree, this is like mine, but I do ad chopped fresh mozzarella on each layer and a bit less bechamel sauce, and use fresh pasta from the "gastronomia" cut into the exact size.
..are Almond22 at Spoltore e Lacu at Moscufo, just around the corner from where I live.If you go to Almond on a Saturday afternoon, Jury will be there and explain everything you would want to know.He's half swedish, and speaks exellent english. And his dark beers are great!
This site links the top websites in photovoltaics, click on your region and the registered company websites will appear.http://www.top100-solar.it/index.php?region=CM..now I really need to get some work done..
I forgot to say that with current modules you'll need around 8 m2 of panels pr. kWp, so a 3 kWp installation takes up a surface area of...24 m2, should be room for that on most house roofs. Ciao
Hi,I think you guys are mixing photovoltaics (generating electricity) and solar (heating water) up a bit....Solar panels for heating water comes in under the scheme of 55% tax reduction, if you can demonstrate "efficient energy improvement of your house" meaning that you have to obtain a certificate of energy efficiency for your property.It is also true that you will only be able to benefit from this if you do a tax declaration in Italy.But that doesn't mean that it is not a good idea..A PV-array for generating electricity falls under the Italian government incentivation scheme called "conto energia", which basically means that you pay and install your PV-array, apply for the incentives and get paid something like 0,39-0,49 euro/kWh this installation produces during a period of 20 years. At the same time you will have net-metering (scambio sul posto) meaning that exess production not consumed during the day will be sent into the eletrical grid, while you will consume from the grid at night when the PV-array does not produce. This will be equalled out on your ENEL bill, so that it will be practically zero. A good thing in these times with rising electricity prices.Approval of incentives is automatic if the installation is done correctly, and your array will pay itself back in 8-10 years, depending on your type of financing. Many people make a mortgage, but there are banks specialising in photovoltaics, where the will anticipate the sum for installation against you creating an account for the incentives, being used to pay back the loan. They call it leasing, in this case the plant will become "yours" after typically 10 years. But you'll still have the benefit of a zero-electricity bill.It is not energy-efficient to use a PV-array to generate electricity to then heat water, but everybody does as he think's best.You should count on an installation price of around 5500 euros/kWh, but it depends on how complicated the installation is (roof, on ground etc.). It is important that you choose an installer that provides quality panels and inverter, so do look at the guarantees before buying, you want your installation to last for 20+ years without problems.It is not true that sand deposits are such a big problem, we made a test on our 45 kWp array installed in the back of our olive grove, measuring output before and after washing with water - and saw no difference in output.Now we just let the rain take care of the cleaning. However it does also depend on the angle of the panels, optimal angle is 30 degrees, like ours, that doesn't give any problems with snow either, as it just slides off. At a smaller angle, i.e. installed on roof, the problem with deposits may be greater.However the installation contract should include a checkup after the first year and some kind of maintenance clause.The ONLY AUTHORITATIVE WEBSITE (and thereby most reliable) regarding the PV-incentivation is:http://www.gse.it/Pagine/default.aspxEverything is explained there, it is GSE that erogates the incentives.You don't need to have residency, it is enough that the installation is done on italian territory. But you need both CF and a bank account, I think.It is definitely a good idea, if you have a bit of money to spare, it will also increase the value of your house.The incentivation scheme will eventually run out of money, and I think Italians are extremely silly not to invest more while they can...Only thing I'm not completely sure of, is how ENEL handles the net surplus of energy provided from your installation if you don't live in your house all year round, ie. if you get the money back at the end of the year or it is calculated as a credit in kind..Anyway, good luck Lizhttp://www.studio-eos.eu
Hi,The validity of the medical is 10 or 5 years, but it depends on your age.I renewed mine last year, and went to the local ACI office for the medical certificate, which you then bring to a driving school or you do as I did, go directly to the Motorizzazione. Should never have done that....the most frustating experience in my Italian life...a long story which can be summarized in paying all the fees whereafter they refused to convert and renew my Danish license.Anyway, I wast told last year at the motorizzazione, that the sticker thing is NOT used anymore, also that you DON'T have to change your license within 12 months. That was abolished years ago.But you do have to follow the Italian rules for renewal, meaning a medical every 5 or 10 years.ACI is NOT always well informed. You need to phone the Motorizzazione for correct advice.Then another Danish person also told me that I should have my Danish license converted if I wanted to buy and register a car here.I asked my Italian car assurance broker, who thought that was very strange, he didn't agree but that to be certain, I should contact the PRA for a definite answer.Anybody else here has experienced this?RgdsSabs
Having participated in various rogito's as a translator/interpreter in Marche and Abruzzo,I can tell that 4 hours is quite normal....and it gets worse the more sellers are involved.The last one was the funniest one, because the buyer was an old lady, and as she had to pay geometra, translator, estate agent etc. she just handed out her checkbook to the various people who wrote out their own check by themselves.They could have saved a lot of money paying in cash, if they'd known...So my advice is always to be patient.RgdsSabs
Hi,We have an old olive farm, so ours are not up to current standards, but I've studied the subject matter quite a bit.You can ask for advice from neighbouring farmers, but normally also at the local "consorzio agrario" they're able to give you some sound advice.If you plant from scratch, you should take young trees.Nowadays they are normally planted in rows running close to North-South (but this may not be possible if you're on a hillside)with distances like from 6x8 m to 6x4 meters, in a rectangolar pattern which makes tractor passing easier.The smaller distance, the more you'll have to prune (intensive olive growing), so think of how much time and work you intend to spend on this.As for the types of trees, cultivar, you may first see if there is a DOP for your region, and plant the cultivar admitted in this, then you'll have the possibility of certifying your oil later on..(well, perhaps a bit far out in the future, but...).In general stick to the classics of your region, they obviously grow best in that climate.If you're looking into producing supreme olive oil, you should study the organoleptic characteristics of these cultivar and choose the ones that produce the best quality, but here we are in the feinsmecker-area. Otherwise you'll take the ones that are less influenced by parasites etc. But, then again, the further you're up the mountain side, the less parasites become an issue.Remember, that some olive types are sterile, or cannot be pollinated by their own kind, so you may have to plant a pollinating cultiver each 10 trees, but the "vivaio" should be able to give you advice on this. My 2 cents,CiaoL.izPS. We have frantoio trees, but you cannot compare yields between different regions. Ours are 50 years old, and produce well, about 80 kg/tree of olives, but the oil yield is only around 13 %, which mainly depends of the soil, and that here has a relatively high clay-content, and the climate. Sometimes we're down to 11 %, but just up the hill the farmers have 14-16%, and in the next valley they may have 22%.
Comments posted
I would "out of priciple" not choose Enel, because as a former state owned company with loads of conflict of interest, they have been a major obstacle to the diffusion of alternative energy here in Italy.That said, their offers are probably as valid as anybody elses.Get 3 estimates for an installation "chiavi in mano" from 3 installation companies near you, evaulate guarantees on panels and inverter, future maintenance etc. and choose the one that seems to "know what they're doing".My husband is a PV project engineer, and when he makes estimates they also include the economic simulation of your payback time, drawings, and they will help the client with contacts to banks etc.His company only moves outside Abruzzo in case of big installations, but, if you're in doubt about what estimate to choose, you may PM me and I'll get him to have a quick look at it.Good luck :-)
No, you've got it right :-) You DON'T need batteries, if you are feeding into the grid.That also means that it is absolutely irrelevant whether you match your energy consumption or not. A PV-installation will normally produce excess electricity in summer, where your electricity accounting will be "positive" and perhaps too little in winter, but on an annual basis this will be EVENED OUT on the net metering. If you're positive, ENEL will give you an "energy credit" to be consumed in the future.The PV-installation will normally be designed to MATCH your electricity consumption, if space for panels allow for it. Then panel prices go down and efficiency goes up continously, so installation area and investment changes rapidly, but the incentives eventually run out, and now it is a secure investment in an economically fragile climate, and the last 10-20 years of installation life, incentives and electricity will all go in your pocket.You normally use gas for heating here in Italy, so I can't see the big relevance with regard to insulation, but I agree that it is the easiest place to start energy saving, something that we should all consider.The ONLY drawback may be the relatively high initial investment 20.000 euros for a 3 kWp system, but the banks are generally positive about this.I've not heard about zero-interest loans from any bank ever...normally they offer interest rates like EURIBOR + 0,75 or 1 %.There are no government incentives for stand-alone PV-systems with batteries, which may be a very viable solution in isolated mountain areas with no electricity. Generally batteries lower efficiency a lot, but when you are talking electricity vs. no electricity, it's worth considering.
Quoted:Perhaps, we could say that the basic recipe is made of alternate layers of white sauce, lasagna sheets, ragú (and here you can have a great variety of sauces) finishing the layers with a mixture of white and tomato sauces and plenty of grated parmesan cheese.... but then...I agree, this is like mine, but I do ad chopped fresh mozzarella on each layer and a bit less bechamel sauce, and use fresh pasta from the "gastronomia" cut into the exact size.
..are Almond22 at Spoltore e Lacu at Moscufo, just around the corner from where I live.If you go to Almond on a Saturday afternoon, Jury will be there and explain everything you would want to know.He's half swedish, and speaks exellent english. And his dark beers are great!
This site links the top websites in photovoltaics, click on your region and the registered company websites will appear.http://www.top100-solar.it/index.php?region=CM..now I really need to get some work done..
I forgot to say that with current modules you'll need around 8 m2 of panels pr. kWp, so a 3 kWp installation takes up a surface area of...24 m2, should be room for that on most house roofs. Ciao
Hi,I think you guys are mixing photovoltaics (generating electricity) and solar (heating water) up a bit....Solar panels for heating water comes in under the scheme of 55% tax reduction, if you can demonstrate "efficient energy improvement of your house" meaning that you have to obtain a certificate of energy efficiency for your property.It is also true that you will only be able to benefit from this if you do a tax declaration in Italy.But that doesn't mean that it is not a good idea..A PV-array for generating electricity falls under the Italian government incentivation scheme called "conto energia", which basically means that you pay and install your PV-array, apply for the incentives and get paid something like 0,39-0,49 euro/kWh this installation produces during a period of 20 years. At the same time you will have net-metering (scambio sul posto) meaning that exess production not consumed during the day will be sent into the eletrical grid, while you will consume from the grid at night when the PV-array does not produce. This will be equalled out on your ENEL bill, so that it will be practically zero. A good thing in these times with rising electricity prices.Approval of incentives is automatic if the installation is done correctly, and your array will pay itself back in 8-10 years, depending on your type of financing. Many people make a mortgage, but there are banks specialising in photovoltaics, where the will anticipate the sum for installation against you creating an account for the incentives, being used to pay back the loan. They call it leasing, in this case the plant will become "yours" after typically 10 years. But you'll still have the benefit of a zero-electricity bill.It is not energy-efficient to use a PV-array to generate electricity to then heat water, but everybody does as he think's best.You should count on an installation price of around 5500 euros/kWh, but it depends on how complicated the installation is (roof, on ground etc.). It is important that you choose an installer that provides quality panels and inverter, so do look at the guarantees before buying, you want your installation to last for 20+ years without problems.It is not true that sand deposits are such a big problem, we made a test on our 45 kWp array installed in the back of our olive grove, measuring output before and after washing with water - and saw no difference in output.Now we just let the rain take care of the cleaning. However it does also depend on the angle of the panels, optimal angle is 30 degrees, like ours, that doesn't give any problems with snow either, as it just slides off. At a smaller angle, i.e. installed on roof, the problem with deposits may be greater.However the installation contract should include a checkup after the first year and some kind of maintenance clause.The ONLY AUTHORITATIVE WEBSITE (and thereby most reliable) regarding the PV-incentivation is:http://www.gse.it/Pagine/default.aspxEverything is explained there, it is GSE that erogates the incentives.You don't need to have residency, it is enough that the installation is done on italian territory. But you need both CF and a bank account, I think.It is definitely a good idea, if you have a bit of money to spare, it will also increase the value of your house.The incentivation scheme will eventually run out of money, and I think Italians are extremely silly not to invest more while they can...Only thing I'm not completely sure of, is how ENEL handles the net surplus of energy provided from your installation if you don't live in your house all year round, ie. if you get the money back at the end of the year or it is calculated as a credit in kind..Anyway, good luck
Lizhttp://www.studio-eos.eu
Hi,The validity of the medical is 10 or 5 years, but it depends on your age.I renewed mine last year, and went to the local ACI office for the medical certificate, which you then bring to a driving school or you do as I did, go directly to the Motorizzazione. Should never have done that....the most frustating experience in my Italian life...a long story which can be summarized in paying all the fees whereafter they refused to convert and renew my Danish license.Anyway, I wast told last year at the motorizzazione, that the sticker thing is NOT used anymore, also that you DON'T have to change your license within 12 months. That was abolished years ago.But you do have to follow the Italian rules for renewal, meaning a medical every 5 or 10 years.ACI is NOT always well informed. You need to phone the Motorizzazione for correct advice.Then another Danish person also told me that I should have my Danish license converted if I wanted to buy and register a car here.I asked my Italian car assurance broker, who thought that was very strange, he didn't agree but that to be certain, I should contact the PRA for a definite answer.Anybody else here has experienced this?RgdsSabs
Having participated in various rogito's as a translator/interpreter in Marche and Abruzzo,I can tell that 4 hours is quite normal....and it gets worse the more sellers are involved.The last one was the funniest one, because the buyer was an old lady, and as she had to pay geometra, translator, estate agent etc. she just handed out her checkbook to the various people who wrote out their own check by themselves.They could have saved a lot of money paying in cash, if they'd known...So my advice is always to be patient.RgdsSabs
Hi,We have an old olive farm, so ours are not up to current standards, but I've studied the subject matter quite a bit.You can ask for advice from neighbouring farmers, but normally also at the local "consorzio agrario" they're able to give you some sound advice.If you plant from scratch, you should take young trees.Nowadays they are normally planted in rows running close to North-South (but this may not be possible if you're on a hillside)with distances like from 6x8 m to 6x4 meters, in a rectangolar pattern which makes tractor passing easier.The smaller distance, the more you'll have to prune (intensive olive growing), so think of how much time and work you intend to spend on this.As for the types of trees, cultivar, you may first see if there is a DOP for your region, and plant the cultivar admitted in this, then you'll have the possibility of certifying your oil later on..(well, perhaps a bit far out in the future, but...).In general stick to the classics of your region, they obviously grow best in that climate.If you're looking into producing supreme olive oil, you should study the organoleptic characteristics of these cultivar and choose the ones that produce the best quality, but here we are in the feinsmecker-area. Otherwise you'll take the ones that are less influenced by parasites etc. But, then again, the further you're up the mountain side, the less parasites become an issue.Remember, that some olive types are sterile, or cannot be pollinated by their own kind, so you may have to plant a pollinating cultiver each 10 trees, but the "vivaio" should be able to give you advice on this. My 2 cents,CiaoL.izPS. We have frantoio trees, but you cannot compare yields between different regions. Ours are 50 years old, and produce well, about 80 kg/tree of olives, but the oil yield is only around 13 %, which mainly depends of the soil, and that here has a relatively high clay-content, and the climate. Sometimes we're down to 11 %, but just up the hill the farmers have 14-16%, and in the next valley they may have 22%.