Solar Panels - awkward installation?

[lornemalvo]

I'm considering fitting solar panels, but my consumer unit is full as well as being pretty inaccessible. It is in a cupboard in the utility room and takes the full width of a cupboard (14MCBs). How would the installers get around this?

[redstar1]

lornemalvo said:

I'm considering fitting solar panels, but my consumer unit is full as well as being pretty inaccessible. It is in a cupboard in the utility room and takes the full width of a cupboard (14MCBs). How would the installers get around this?

They would install a separate unit with tails back to the meter, probably. As with every case it 'depends'.

If it's anything other than bog standard insist they come out and 'survey' it rather than relying on you taking photos and pointing out the property on google maps.

[mikey_b]

redstar1 said:

lornemalvo said:

I'm considering fitting solar panels, but my consumer unit is full as well as being pretty inaccessible. It is in a cupboard in the utility room and takes the full width of a cupboard (14MCBs). How would the installers get around this?

They would install a separate unit with tails back to the meter, probably. As with every case it 'depends'.

If it's anything other than bog standard insist they come out and 'survey' it rather than relying on you taking photos and pointing out the property on google maps.

This is certainly what they do for installing something like an EV charger. I now have three consumer units.. LOL

[lornemalvo]

I'm thinking about an EV charger as well.

[gmaz]

When I had my solar/battery/EV charger done they put another small CU in there.

Then I got a Heat Pump and another CU was added, so I have 3 now. One in a bedroom and 2 in the garage.

[lornemalvo]

Would they have to access the wiring leading to the original consumer unit, which is buried in the wall behind kitchen units?

[DorsetSparky]

lornemalvo said:

Would they have to access the wiring leading to the original consumer unit, which is buried in the wall behind kitchen units?

We’d access your main fuse/service head/meter, which is certainly not buried and quite possibly in an external meter box in your case. Also makes it easier for routing new cables for your solar and EV charger.