Installation of Battery Storage
Discussion
I am going down the battery storage route. I have done the man math necessary re my energy consumption to sell it to myself, so let's not debate that.
I would like to purchase and install the battery and inverter myself and having an electrical contractor do the wiring etc. The reason being is that the location is adjacent to the mains meter box on the outside of the house. Very easy to get the units on the wall and therefore minimise the work required by the electrical bod. Yes, the units are HEAVY but it's an easy location.
It will be grid connected so needs to be qualified for that. What quals will I need to look for?
Later on I suppose I will need a EV charge installed as well.
Has anyone been down the same route? I'm in East Sussex so any contacts for a contractor to do that sort of work?
Phil
I would like to purchase and install the battery and inverter myself and having an electrical contractor do the wiring etc. The reason being is that the location is adjacent to the mains meter box on the outside of the house. Very easy to get the units on the wall and therefore minimise the work required by the electrical bod. Yes, the units are HEAVY but it's an easy location.
It will be grid connected so needs to be qualified for that. What quals will I need to look for?
Later on I suppose I will need a EV charge installed as well.
Has anyone been down the same route? I'm in East Sussex so any contacts for a contractor to do that sort of work?
Phil
I'm having an EV charger fitted next month, and have swapped to an EV off-peak tariff, but during the survey for the charger I got talking to the installer about his own battery/solar solution, and I'm hooked on the idea.
We don't have the right roof for solar (not more than 1kW anyway), but the battery alone would work for us. We'll charge from the grid off-peak, and use it during the day to power the house. With both of us working from home at desks filled with monitors, network gear, servers etc we have seen our leccy usage go up quite a bit during the day since our pre-covid office days. I think with a bit of man-maths, we can pay off a 10-15kWh battery pack in the years we plan to remain in this house.
Other benefits include the uninterruptible nature of the supply, storm-proofing (we had some blackouts during the storms last winter) and a big of short-term protection against national blackouts (which will happen some day). Also, it's just cool, and that's worth a few quid to me anyway, even if we don't see the real big savings.
We can run the dishwasher overnight, but there's things like laundry and cooking that need doing during the day, and use cheap stored leccy for those tasks would be very satisfying.
We don't have the right roof for solar (not more than 1kW anyway), but the battery alone would work for us. We'll charge from the grid off-peak, and use it during the day to power the house. With both of us working from home at desks filled with monitors, network gear, servers etc we have seen our leccy usage go up quite a bit during the day since our pre-covid office days. I think with a bit of man-maths, we can pay off a 10-15kWh battery pack in the years we plan to remain in this house.
Other benefits include the uninterruptible nature of the supply, storm-proofing (we had some blackouts during the storms last winter) and a big of short-term protection against national blackouts (which will happen some day). Also, it's just cool, and that's worth a few quid to me anyway, even if we don't see the real big savings.
We can run the dishwasher overnight, but there's things like laundry and cooking that need doing during the day, and use cheap stored leccy for those tasks would be very satisfying.
rewild said:
I'm having an EV charger fitted next month, and have swapped to an EV off-peak tariff, but during the survey for the charger I got talking to the installer about his own battery/solar solution, and I'm hooked on the idea.
We don't have the right roof for solar (not more than 1kW anyway), but the battery alone would work for us. We'll charge from the grid off-peak, and use it during the day to power the house. With both of us working from home at desks filled with monitors, network gear, servers etc we have seen our leccy usage go up quite a bit during the day since our pre-covid office days. I think with a bit of man-maths, we can pay off a 10-15kWh battery pack in the years we plan to remain in this house.
Other benefits include the uninterruptible nature of the supply, storm-proofing (we had some blackouts during the storms last winter) and a big of short-term protection against national blackouts (which will happen some day). Also, it's just cool, and that's worth a few quid to me anyway, even if we don't see the real big savings.
We can run the dishwasher overnight, but there's things like laundry and cooking that need doing during the day, and use cheap stored leccy for those tasks would be very satisfying.
Double check regarding the UPS style element as many of the systems bar the Tesla Powerwall aren't out of the box off grid compatible and require additional work to ensure they are isolated in the event of a grid failure.We don't have the right roof for solar (not more than 1kW anyway), but the battery alone would work for us. We'll charge from the grid off-peak, and use it during the day to power the house. With both of us working from home at desks filled with monitors, network gear, servers etc we have seen our leccy usage go up quite a bit during the day since our pre-covid office days. I think with a bit of man-maths, we can pay off a 10-15kWh battery pack in the years we plan to remain in this house.
Other benefits include the uninterruptible nature of the supply, storm-proofing (we had some blackouts during the storms last winter) and a big of short-term protection against national blackouts (which will happen some day). Also, it's just cool, and that's worth a few quid to me anyway, even if we don't see the real big savings.
We can run the dishwasher overnight, but there's things like laundry and cooking that need doing during the day, and use cheap stored leccy for those tasks would be very satisfying.
rewild said:
I'm having an EV charger fitted next month, and have swapped to an EV off-peak tariff, but during the survey for the charger I got talking to the installer about his own battery/solar solution, and I'm hooked on the idea.
We don't have the right roof for solar (not more than 1kW anyway), but the battery alone would work for us. We'll charge from the grid off-peak, and use it during the day to power the house. With both of us working from home at desks filled with monitors, network gear, servers etc we have seen our leccy usage go up quite a bit during the day since our pre-covid office days. I think with a bit of man-maths, we can pay off a 10-15kWh battery pack in the years we plan to remain in this house.
Other benefits include the uninterruptible nature of the supply, storm-proofing (we had some blackouts during the storms last winter) and a big of short-term protection against national blackouts (which will happen some day). Also, it's just cool, and that's worth a few quid to me anyway, even if we don't see the real big savings.
We can run the dishwasher overnight, but there's things like laundry and cooking that need doing during the day, and use cheap stored leccy for those tasks would be very satisfying.
That is just what I was thinking. Every point you covered is the same for me.We don't have the right roof for solar (not more than 1kW anyway), but the battery alone would work for us. We'll charge from the grid off-peak, and use it during the day to power the house. With both of us working from home at desks filled with monitors, network gear, servers etc we have seen our leccy usage go up quite a bit during the day since our pre-covid office days. I think with a bit of man-maths, we can pay off a 10-15kWh battery pack in the years we plan to remain in this house.
Other benefits include the uninterruptible nature of the supply, storm-proofing (we had some blackouts during the storms last winter) and a big of short-term protection against national blackouts (which will happen some day). Also, it's just cool, and that's worth a few quid to me anyway, even if we don't see the real big savings.
We can run the dishwasher overnight, but there's things like laundry and cooking that need doing during the day, and use cheap stored leccy for those tasks would be very satisfying.
Little prospect of adequate solar. Power cuts are very regular in my location so the system has that as a plus.
My struggle was getting the smart meter installed in a very rural location with no mobile signal. But that is another very long story!
PM me with what system had you thought of going for.
The figures work very well for me. And its cool but not particularly green with some people. It spreads the grid load though.
Man-math is a brilliant thing. The payback period is very tempting given the very high daytime tariff figures. We are lucky that with deposit interest so low we can do it.
With luck my install will be next week.
My system is DIY with 38Kw of battery storage using individual LiFePo4 cells and a separate BMS. Works fine, but it is DIY and a touch messy.
Just ordered 2 of these and the 6 slot rack for an extra 10Kw of storage. It works out cheaper to use server rack batteries and they are literally plug and play with all the fuses and BMS already installed. Plus as money allows I'll buy more batteries and simply add them to the stack.
https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-...
Just ordered 2 of these and the 6 slot rack for an extra 10Kw of storage. It works out cheaper to use server rack batteries and they are literally plug and play with all the fuses and BMS already installed. Plus as money allows I'll buy more batteries and simply add them to the stack.
https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-...
NMNeil said:
My system is DIY with 38Kw of battery storage using individual LiFePo4 cells and a separate BMS. Works fine, but it is DIY and a touch messy.
Just ordered 2 of these and the 6 slot rack for an extra 10Kw of storage. It works out cheaper to use server rack batteries and they are literally plug and play with all the fuses and BMS already installed. Plus as money allows I'll buy more batteries and simply add them to the stack.
https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-...
I'm sure I'm not the only one that would be interested in a write up?Just ordered 2 of these and the 6 slot rack for an extra 10Kw of storage. It works out cheaper to use server rack batteries and they are literally plug and play with all the fuses and BMS already installed. Plus as money allows I'll buy more batteries and simply add them to the stack.
https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-...
Readers Batteries could be a new section....
NMNeil said:
My system is DIY with 38Kw of battery storage using individual LiFePo4 cells and a separate BMS. Works fine, but it is DIY and a touch messy.
Just ordered 2 of these and the 6 slot rack for an extra 10Kw of storage. It works out cheaper to use server rack batteries and they are literally plug and play with all the fuses and BMS already installed. Plus as money allows I'll buy more batteries and simply add them to the stack.
https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-...
Do you have a UK supplier, or are you just swallowing the shipping and import taxes?Just ordered 2 of these and the 6 slot rack for an extra 10Kw of storage. It works out cheaper to use server rack batteries and they are literally plug and play with all the fuses and BMS already installed. Plus as money allows I'll buy more batteries and simply add them to the stack.
https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-...
EDIT: Ignore that, I have no idea why I assumed you were in the UK. Cognitive biases, eh? I see you're in the good ole' US of A!
Edited by rewild on Friday 12th August 08:47
NMNeil said:
My system is DIY with 38Kw of battery storage using individual LiFePo4 cells and a separate BMS. Works fine, but it is DIY and a touch messy.
Just ordered 2 of these and the 6 slot rack for an extra 10Kw of storage. It works out cheaper to use server rack batteries and they are literally plug and play with all the fuses and BMS already installed. Plus as money allows I'll buy more batteries and simply add them to the stack.
https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-...
Can I ask how you charge the 38kW you now have and if from grid what tariff? Just ordered 2 of these and the 6 slot rack for an extra 10Kw of storage. It works out cheaper to use server rack batteries and they are literally plug and play with all the fuses and BMS already installed. Plus as money allows I'll buy more batteries and simply add them to the stack.
https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-...
What base and peak load in your property are you providing? Also, what inverter/s will you be using?
I did a little bit of gooling on this a short while ago and, from what I could find the best option was a Powervault on an Octopus tariff charging at night.
However I couldn't make the numbers stack up. The cheapest Powervault was just under £5k and the best it would save was around £600 per year. Of course electricity prices are increasing so this benefit will go up.
But based on those figures the payback would be 8 years whereas the units only have a 5 year life expectancy. Am i missing something?
However I couldn't make the numbers stack up. The cheapest Powervault was just under £5k and the best it would save was around £600 per year. Of course electricity prices are increasing so this benefit will go up.
But based on those figures the payback would be 8 years whereas the units only have a 5 year life expectancy. Am i missing something?
zarlak said:
I did a little bit of gooling on this a short while ago and, from what I could find the best option was a Powervault on an Octopus tariff charging at night.
However I couldn't make the numbers stack up. The cheapest Powervault was just under £5k and the best it would save was around £600 per year. Of course electricity prices are increasing so this benefit will go up.
But based on those figures the payback would be 8 years whereas the units only have a 5 year life expectancy. Am i missing something?
I'd query 5 year life - that seems very low. Is that just the warranty?However I couldn't make the numbers stack up. The cheapest Powervault was just under £5k and the best it would save was around £600 per year. Of course electricity prices are increasing so this benefit will go up.
But based on those figures the payback would be 8 years whereas the units only have a 5 year life expectancy. Am i missing something?
It was a little while ago that I took a look and I think it was the 'Eco' version I looked at as it used recycled batteries and was therefore lower cost. I think the warranty was for three years but the life cycle was around 5 to 7 years.
I did look at a few systems at the time and ditched the idea (based on not getting the numbers to work) so I may be mixing up some of the performance details.
As I say, the recent and future electricity cost increases may make it more worthwhile but that depends a bit on what happens in future years.
I did look at a few systems at the time and ditched the idea (based on not getting the numbers to work) so I may be mixing up some of the performance details.
As I say, the recent and future electricity cost increases may make it more worthwhile but that depends a bit on what happens in future years.
The SOK 48V server rack battery ships to the UK (under £2K)
https://www.europe.sokbattery.com/product-page/sok...
It's a bit better than the EG4
You could pair it with a Victron Multiplus 48/3000
https://www.europe.sokbattery.com/product-page/sok...
It's a bit better than the EG4
You could pair it with a Victron Multiplus 48/3000
TooLateForAName said:
NMNeil said:
My system is DIY with 38Kw of battery storage using individual LiFePo4 cells and a separate BMS. Works fine, but it is DIY and a touch messy.
Just ordered 2 of these and the 6 slot rack for an extra 10Kw of storage. It works out cheaper to use server rack batteries and they are literally plug and play with all the fuses and BMS already installed. Plus as money allows I'll buy more batteries and simply add them to the stack.
https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-...
I'm sure I'm not the only one that would be interested in a write up?Just ordered 2 of these and the 6 slot rack for an extra 10Kw of storage. It works out cheaper to use server rack batteries and they are literally plug and play with all the fuses and BMS already installed. Plus as money allows I'll buy more batteries and simply add them to the stack.
https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-...
Readers Batteries could be a new section....
canam-phil said:
Can I ask how you charge the 38kW you now have and if from grid what tariff?
What base and peak load in your property are you providing? Also, what inverter/s will you be using?
System is 24 X 250 watt solar panels.What base and peak load in your property are you providing? Also, what inverter/s will you be using?
I could have got larger panels but the 250 watts were more practical to carry up a ladder onto the roof
3 panels in series to form a string, 2 strings in parallel to form a bank giving 4 banks in total to give a total potential output of 6kW. I wanted to be able to isolate each string for any repairs, which so far haven't been needed.
The wire is rated for direct burial but is run through metal and PVC conduit to my battery room, which is an exterior storage building.
Each 'bank' of 12 panels feeds a separate MPP all in one unit.
https://www.mppsolar.com/v3/110v-120v-low-voltage-...
And these are then connected to my 4 DIY battery banks wired in parallel but configured so that 1 bank could be isolated for repair if needed.
No grid tie, so no power bills, and I've never overloaded my controllers as they can supply a constant 6000 watt load.
AC and heating is by mini splits which are soft start, no big surge current on startup, the same for my water well pump.
If you're interested look up Will Prowse, David Poz and the off grid garage on Youtube, which is where I copied my system from.
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