power cuts

[Deniz1]

A Another power cut today in Catalkoy we have had one every day this week but this is the longest been off since 9.30 ish.

[Soner]

I can't be dealing with that when I come out there. Does anyone know how much it costs to get Solar Panels installed and will they be man enough nowadays (I mean the Solar panels and baterries - before someone tries to crack a joke) to supply a 3 bed house day and night - with all the mod cons ie. washing machine, aircon etc...

[rocking]

I think to solar panel a house for electricity here you would need hundreds - even with the sun in the winter the water does not run boiling, have to leave tap on for while (waste water) a generator is the best thing to have. I have lived here since 1986 and in those days and up until early 90s power cuts could last between 6 and 12 hours a few times per week. You can get some very good deals on generators now (goes on within 4 seconds of electric going of and the same 4 seconds when comes back on). Best of luck to you and you can always ring me to get the name of the company - they were first class and come each year to service it.

[Soner]

Thanks rocking, no rush as of yet at least another year before I decide to stay in TRNC 6 months of the year. Waiting to see if anything good come up between now and then on the Solar energy - technology is moving so fast it's hard to keep up. But may well end up using a generator.

[Deniz1]

Apparently they are installing new equipment at the power station I saw loads of huge machines going there this afternoon but they havnt told anyone, at least its back on now.

[scarlets]

No power cuts in Karaoglanoglu the past few weeks, we must be lucky. The summer is always our biggest fear because the cuts are usually in the early hours of the morning

[yorgozlu]

Thanks rocking, no rush as of yet at least another year before I decide to stay in TRNC 6 months of the year. Waiting to see if anything good come up between now and then on the Solar energy - technology is moving so fast it's hard to keep up. But may well end up using a generator.

http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/80761.asp

[Soner]

Thanks yorgozlu, I'll make contact when out in TRNC.

[andrew4232]

there a lot less then they used to be you just get used to it its all part of being here !

[Deniz1]

Been here nine years and its still annoying and boring.

[Mozgor]

I can't be dealing with that when I come out there. Does anyone know how much it costs to get Solar Panels installed and will they be man enough nowadays (I mean the Solar panels and baterries - before someone tries to crack a joke) to supply a 3 bed house day and night - with all the mod cons ie. washing machine, aircon etc...

Hi Soner - we're moving over the end of next month and will be researching exactly what you're asking, so once we find out, will pass on the info.

Moyra

[Soner]

Thank you Moyra, I look forward to hearing what the current costs are to install Solar Panels etc...
Good luck with the move!

[kiplet]

I have heard if a house being run mainly on mainly solar and wind technology that has been up and running for years in the TRNC. I am pretty sure it is more West way, our regular taxi man told us.

[Hippocampus]

I am also very keen to find out about solar power. Generators are not the way forward, I believe that one big enough to power a whole household costs nearly £3000 in all, plus the fuel to run it. Another big factor is the noise, even the so called silent ones are far from it. Our neighbour has just got one, and even though it is about 30m away, the constant hum in the wee small hours is driving us insane. This is an automatic one, and seems to come on when the current is not 100% as well as when it cuts out completely, which always seems to be around bedtime.

Solar power would probably cost a bit more to instal, but the saving in fuel and goodwill with neighbours would soon make up for it, I'm sure there is a business opportunity for somebody here.

[east]

The power cuts in TRNC seem to be getting less and less. Local powercuts are only when there is major road-works or a major maintenance at the power stations. I really do not think power cuts at the momen are an excuse to spend a fortune on generators or solar panels.

As for the odd power cuts - I always find it refreshing and exciting to sit at candle/lantern light and socialise with the family rather than stare into a box all night!

[LooseBoots]

The odd short one is ok but when it is off for hours at a time it is not fun, especially if you live here full time. OK if you are a swallow I suppose.

Are not the national strikes due to start soon or is the dispute settled with Kibtec.

[sophie]

We just go with the flow. We live in the TRNC, the TRNC has power cuts, just live with them. We have a small petrol generator that will run lights, TV, kettle for a brew and in the winter the electric blankets. If needs be, go to bed and read a book by candle light. Not how I envisaged living in my 70's but there you are, it comes with the territory.

[Deniz1]

Not fun when you live alone candles do not give a great light for reading and are dangerous. I bought a small gas lamp and the first time i used it it burst into flames.

[Rambling Rose]

Deniz has a very good point - power cuts are positively dangerous , particularly after dark - for people alone, as well as the elderly, disabled, ill, or with very young children. And they are as bad if not worse in the heat of mid-summer than winter, because there are more alternative ways of heating than cooling. This is why I sometimes rant about thoughtless people who use electricity for luxuries and strain the system at the risk of the vulnerable who need it for essentials.

I have an "Invertor" - a bank of batteries that stores up electricity when it is on, and comes on during a cut. I could only afford thesmallest, so it only runs lights, one or two fans and the PC or a portable radio/CD player, but I find that is enough. Of course it has limited life, depending on the load, so when all day indefinite cuts were threatened I had to buy a genrator - but at least it means I can run the generator during "social" hours to charge the batteries and avoid keeping myself, let alone the neighbours! - awake at night.

[Rambling Rose]

There are some very interesting comments on solar power on the "Advice to Expats" thread here.

[Hippocampus]

Thanks, Rambling Rose for your post re your invertor. Hadn't realised that such things are available. Great idea. Where did you get it from? I have never seen such a thing here.

[Rambling Rose]

Hippo: The company I got it from is no longer trading I am afraid. I heard there was another company - there was some discussion on Cyprus 44 maybe someone else has heard of it?

I believe you get get them from Turkey - maybe a websearch? Meanwhile I will make some enquiries and get back on it if I can find anything.

[stellasstar1]

You can buy the long lights here (like fluorescent?) that store up electricity and will work for 3 -10 hours depending on size, and I have got table fans from the South that do the same, and a DVD player, plus My laptop will go for 2 hours on it's battery. It's a fact of life here, as it was in the small village in Dorset that I lived before I came here. There I had torches in all the rooms, as I do here. If you live here, then it's just a fact of life, no use getting upset.