Discussion
Archie2050 said:
Yes, mine put in the application but said not to worry, they could limit the inverter in software if the approval did not arrive in time so it wouldn't delay installation. In fact it came in a couple of weeks.
Worth highlighting that while you might get away with it, G99 needs to be approved before installation. Installing but artificially capping the output to 3.68 kW until your application is approved is not compliantMonsterlime said:
We are looking into Solar at the moment, especially with the stuff up here in Scotland.
One thing I need to clarify though, because I am bit confused. We have had two quotes, both for a 6kwp installation, but one has included a 5kw inverter and the other has only included a 3.6kw inverter. I queried this with the 2nd installer, and they indicated a 3.6kw inverter would be fine, but my Googling and very limited knowledge says this is not right.
Is a 3.6kw inverter suitable?
Not really, unless the total load on the system with all the appliances turned on is below 3.6kw, and it's surprising how fast those numbers will add up when you add the start up surge current.One thing I need to clarify though, because I am bit confused. We have had two quotes, both for a 6kwp installation, but one has included a 5kw inverter and the other has only included a 3.6kw inverter. I queried this with the 2nd installer, and they indicated a 3.6kw inverter would be fine, but my Googling and very limited knowledge says this is not right.
Is a 3.6kw inverter suitable?
https://generatorist.com/power-consumption-of-hous...
My power consumption is about average and I run two 3Kw inverters in parallel, not just to cover the load on the system but if one quits I can still run the house, albeit carefully on just one inverter while I fix the other one.
Condi said:
Can it? 
I mean, it won't, especially not in Scotland, but you're right 6kw down to 3.6kw is a lot if the whole array is facing the same direction. Ultimately it comes down to the cost difference between the 2, and whether you can use/save anything above 3.6Kw. If the cost difference isn't great, or you have a home battery/EV, then there is no reason not to have the bigger inverter,
Brand new panels frequently put out 5 or 10% more than their badge rating.I mean, it won't, especially not in Scotland, but you're right 6kw down to 3.6kw is a lot if the whole array is facing the same direction. Ultimately it comes down to the cost difference between the 2, and whether you can use/save anything above 3.6Kw. If the cost difference isn't great, or you have a home battery/EV, then there is no reason not to have the bigger inverter,
It gives them a margin for their guaranteed performance after 15 years or whatever.
Scotland is cold which is good for the panels, yes the sunlight has to pass through a bit more atmosphere, but if the panels are close to optimum max power elevation, peak power should not be much less than in Englandshire.
Total energy over a year will be less due to winter being longer and deeper, rain, shadowing from midges and all that!
In Scotland there might be a stronger case for having the panels flatter for longer hours of some generation, but at the end of the day much of 'Scotland' is not much further North than 'England'.
People have done cost/benefit of the bigger inverter, with results either way, there are a lot of variables, the stand sized inverter was way cheaper at one point. Tariffs change all the time and everyone's location is different. If you're running aircon in the middle of the day, you might get a different answer from someone who is out to work and getting a poor export rate.
It's possible to charge a battery without that power going through the grid tie inverter.
You might want to do that if you want power from your panels in the event of the mains going off.
NMNeil said:
Not really, unless the total load on the system with all the appliances turned on is below 3.6kw, and it's surprising how fast those numbers will add up when you add the start up surge current.
https://generatorist.com/power-consumption-of-hous...
My power consumption is about average and I run two 3Kw inverters in parallel, not just to cover the load on the system but if one quits I can still run the house, albeit carefully on just one inverter while I fix the other one.
You're off-grid though, if I recall correctly?https://generatorist.com/power-consumption-of-hous...
My power consumption is about average and I run two 3Kw inverters in parallel, not just to cover the load on the system but if one quits I can still run the house, albeit carefully on just one inverter while I fix the other one.
OutInTheShed said:
Brand new panels frequently put out 5 or 10% more than their badge rating.
It gives them a margin for their guaranteed performance after 15 years or whatever.
Scotland is cold which is good for the panels, yes the sunlight has to pass through a bit more atmosphere, but if the panels are close to optimum max power elevation, peak power should not be much less than in Englandshire.
Total energy over a year will be less due to winter being longer and deeper, rain, shadowing from midges and all that!
In Scotland there might be a stronger case for having the panels flatter for longer hours of some generation, but at the end of the day much of 'Scotland' is not much further North than 'England'.
Quite so - and the differences are even less stark if you ignore the north west where most of the mountains are, it rains most of the time and relatively few people live.It gives them a margin for their guaranteed performance after 15 years or whatever.
Scotland is cold which is good for the panels, yes the sunlight has to pass through a bit more atmosphere, but if the panels are close to optimum max power elevation, peak power should not be much less than in Englandshire.
Total energy over a year will be less due to winter being longer and deeper, rain, shadowing from midges and all that!
In Scotland there might be a stronger case for having the panels flatter for longer hours of some generation, but at the end of the day much of 'Scotland' is not much further North than 'England'.
Went through local council group buy / procurement process. Initial quote using google maps and my self assessment came back as not the cheapest but seem reasonable company, proceed to pay for survey based on quote. They pop round to have a rummage in the loft and tape measure to work out if roof space same as my fag packet etc. Same number of panels, battery and kit as original quote has gone up nearly 20%, the potential additional panels to squeeze in make it 40% higher with ROI (despite south facing) at over 20 years, hmm I'll pass. Deposit for next stage would be via bank transfer, double no thanks. Shame, I'll pass this time and will try again in a few years as the next house likely to be the post kids one.
gareth h said:
Does anybody have info on integrated panels? I’m planning an extension with a south facing 7m x 3m pitched roof, it seems silly to slate it and fix panels on top if I can use the panels to weather the roof.
Integrated panels are no different to normal panels. They are instead though mounted in trays, attached to the roof. The cost of the trays is minimal, more labour to get everything fitted.If I was building it would be definitely something I would consider. The one slightly complex thing is you need to coordinate to get both contractors (solar and roofing) lined up, or find someone who does both.
Panel sizes are a bit variable but at 7 x 3m I would guess you are looking at something like 6 panels, so not a large system.
Wonderman said:
Went through local council group buy / procurement process. Initial quote using google maps and my self assessment came back as not the cheapest but seem reasonable company, proceed to pay for survey based on quote. They pop round to have a rummage in the loft and tape measure to work out if roof space same as my fag packet etc. Same number of panels, battery and kit as original quote has gone up nearly 20%, the potential additional panels to squeeze in make it 40% higher with ROI (despite south facing) at over 20 years, hmm I'll pass. Deposit for next stage would be via bank transfer, double no thanks. Shame, I'll pass this time and will try again in a few years as the next house likely to be the post kids one.
How do installers actually measure your roof? I assume they don't get up there with a ladder and tape measure?C70R said:
Gazzab said:
C70R said:
Does anyone have any recommendations for companies to get quotes from? I'm in rural North Norfolk, and having tried my energy supplier (Octopus), it seems they don't cover my area.
Is it wise to contact a local specialist, or get a national company to come and quote? Or both?
This place was recommended on another ph thread. Is it wise to contact a local specialist, or get a national company to come and quote? Or both?
https://impact-services.co.uk/
They are Norwich I think ??
AW10 said:
The "tape measure" in google maps is surprisingly accurate for getting the basic dimensions - throw in standard roof pitch angles and street view and that's a v good start.
The "google maps" companies told me they could only fit 5 panels on my roof. The man who came round said we could fit 20 on 2 strings and with a few optimisers. We now have 20 installed with 2 strings and a few optimisers.So the google map stuff is a good start, but do take it with a pinch of salt. When I went back to the 5 panel company and said I thought they could fit a lot more than that, they told me I was wrong and definately not possible.
Hello, does anyone know of a good way to display solar generation info in a nice way etc? We have just had a solar system installed at work using Solis inverters. The app and website is good and shows a wealth of information available and we thought it would be nice to have this on display in the reception foyer if possible.
The Soils website is good and has a "large screen plant" which would be ideal to display, but annoyingly the website times out and needs logging in regularly so its not really good as a set and forget display).
I then considered having a tablet setup to show the app, but while the app is good its quite busy not really suited being a form of "glance at" display at. But the bigger issue is that the tablets I looked at at work wont let you set the display to always on (15 mins max).
So I guess it may need a 3rd party app/website that avoids the above issues? or any work around people may know?
The Soils website is good and has a "large screen plant" which would be ideal to display, but annoyingly the website times out and needs logging in regularly so its not really good as a set and forget display).
I then considered having a tablet setup to show the app, but while the app is good its quite busy not really suited being a form of "glance at" display at. But the bigger issue is that the tablets I looked at at work wont let you set the display to always on (15 mins max).
So I guess it may need a 3rd party app/website that avoids the above issues? or any work around people may know?
gareth h said:
Does anybody have info on integrated panels? I’m planning an extension with a south facing 7m x 3m pitched roof, it seems silly to slate it and fix panels on top if I can use the panels to weather the roof.
We are currently in the process of getting integrated panels. A lot of installers tell you that the integrated panel output is far less due to lack of ventilation. Panels are more efficient when cooler. Whilst this is factually correct the losses are relatively minimal and you end up with a system that looks like s
te (IMHO.Marley bought out Viridian which look superb but are expensive. They also do an integrated tile which are even more expensive.
The other brand leaders are GSE and IRFTS - both French I think.
Another issue for me is that we want all black panels and both systems are limited as to what panels will fit in their range of trays. Latest higher output panels are getting larger and both manufacturers are frantically developing larger trays to suit these panels.
I think GSE have recently announced new tray sizes available early 2023, whenever that means.
I have a quote for some nice all black Trina Solar 395 watt panels mounted in the IRFTS system but when I checked their website they are not compatible. The installer admitted he knew this but was in discussions with the IRFTS rep about new trays or mods to flashings - I await results with baited breath.
I have a question too.
Now we have a decent amount of solar generation, I'd like to use excess power to heat the hot water - We're on the givenergy setup - I assume I need some kind of wifi switch or timer I can use to turn the HW on once the batteries are full if there is excess power being produced.
Is there a "best" way to do this?
Now we have a decent amount of solar generation, I'd like to use excess power to heat the hot water - We're on the givenergy setup - I assume I need some kind of wifi switch or timer I can use to turn the HW on once the batteries are full if there is excess power being produced.
Is there a "best" way to do this?
gfreeman said:
gareth h said:
Does anybody have info on integrated panels? I’m planning an extension with a south facing 7m x 3m pitched roof, it seems silly to slate it and fix panels on top if I can use the panels to weather the roof.
We are currently in the process of getting integrated panels. A lot of installers tell you that the integrated panel output is far less due to lack of ventilation. Panels are more efficient when cooler. Whilst this is factually correct the losses are relatively minimal and you end up with a system that looks like ste (IMHO.Marley bought out Viridian which look superb but are expensive. They also do an integrated tile which are even more expensive.
The other brand leaders are GSE and IRFTS - both French I think.
Another issue for me is that we want all black panels and both systems are limited as to what panels will fit in their range of trays. Latest higher output panels are getting larger and both manufacturers are frantically developing larger trays to suit these panels.
I think GSE have recently announced new tray sizes available early 2023, whenever that means.
I have a quote for some nice all black Trina Solar 395 watt panels mounted in the IRFTS system but when I checked their website they are not compatible. The installer admitted he knew this but was in discussions with the IRFTS rep about new trays or mods to flashings - I await results with baited breath.
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