Solar panels and battery - any real world recommendations?

also to add i can export the max 4.6 for longer while i use the other 1.4kwh running the house loads.....

so if the house load is 500wh.....and im producing 6kwh, thats means a constant 4.6kwh export and another 900wh headroom, for maybe the kettle or the wasing machine etc etc.

i also will have a 6.4kwh array..... 3.2 roof array, 3.2 shed array, mainly pointing due south.
 
I can’t really get excited for flux, I export absolutely loads but I can store relatively little to export in the flux period so I’m not sure I’d even brake even vs the flat 15p rate.

That’s before considering the higher overnight cost vs IOG.
 
I just checked the Octopus Flux rates for my area and can't believe how poor they are now. The "cheap" import rate from 0200-0500 is now 15.7p and the day export rate is now 9.7p. At one point the cheap rate was a few pence less than the day export rate.

I just can't see who this tariff is even for now. Even with a big battery it makes no sense due to losses and the expensive cheap rate.
 
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b0rn2sk8 said:
I can’t really get excited for flux, I export absolutely loads but I can store relatively little to export in the flux period so I’m not sure I’d even brake even vs the flat 15p rate.

That’s before considering the higher overnight cost vs IOG.
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I don't export a huge amount TBF, I'm relatively happy about the standing charge coming down though. It's more the cheap rate charging that's less great too. As @reef says it's barely worth it now even with large storage. Agile may be more interesting.
 
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yes, eon next drive is the best for set-and-forget
the seg rates are also better with eon (16.5p/kwh)

anyone want a referral code (£50 off when joining) ? :D
 
reef said:
I just checked the Octopus Flux rates for my area and can't believe how poor they are now. The "cheap" import rate from 0200-0500 is now 15.7p and the day export rate is now 9.7p. At one point the cheap rate was a few pence less than the day export rate.

I just can't see who this tariff is even for now. Even with a big battery it makes no sense due to losses and the expensive cheap rate.
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Normal flux is a dead tariff now, its intelligent flux or stick to Go.
 
I don't have an EV so I'm going to have to work out what's best. Even with home assistant automating the heck out of the rates to capitalise on charging is less fun now. I'm less bothered about exporting rate more about cheap charging and better overall electric rates.
 
Freefaller said:
I don't have an EV so I'm going to have to work out what's best. Even with home assistant automating the heck out of the rates to capitalise on charging is less fun now. I'm less bothered about exporting rate more about cheap charging and better overall electric rates.
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The EON tariff is clearly better than the Octopus offering and they actually state you can join with batteries unlike Octopus who still try and gate it with worse rates, also the rate is fixed for a year so next winter is covered. Only thing that puts me off is Octopus has better customer service and of course the hassle of switching export as well.
 
Freefaller said:
I don't have an EV so I'm going to have to work out what's best. Even with home assistant automating the heck out of the rates to capitalise on charging is less fun now. I'm less bothered about exporting rate more about cheap charging and better overall electric rates.
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Are you using PredBat to manage it all for you via HomeAssistant? I'm trying to get this going with my "unsupported" inverter at the moment but I can't wait, the benefits will be at least quite good if not huge.

For me, exporting is a great way to get your overall rates down and I'm looking to do more of it. For example, if you could charge 10kWh at 7p/kWh, sell it to the grid for 15p/kWh and then charge again at 7p/kWh for your time-shifted use later where you used all of that 10kWh you would be paying an effective rate of approximately 0p/kWh after conversion losses are factored in. Adjust that for your tariff rates, but even at 8.5p/kWh during the charging window your effective rate is super low. It is easily possible to do this every single day even without solar-generated export. In fact, charging your batteries from solar is more expensive than charging from the grid if it results in less export - as long as you've got sufficient energy in the batteries to get you from the point at which your solar generation doesn't cover your load until the start of the cheap charging window.
 
@Freefaller @200sols
Eon next drive is 7p/kWh for 7h per night 0000-0659

Re: customer services, I've never had a problem with them, I've called them a couple of times (for refunds of excess DD) and always sorted on the call. The SEG payment is a bit stone age, as you'll need to take a photo of the meter. Again have no issues with them.
Been with eon coming up to 3 years now (first time homeowner)
 
Its 6.7p now :D

its probably just my experience with how unreliable the smart meter systems can be though just makes me hesitant to do anything while its all working.
 
Freefaller said:
I don't have an EV so I'm going to have to work out what's best. Even with home assistant automating the heck out of the rates to capitalise on charging is less fun now. I'm less bothered about exporting rate more about cheap charging and better overall electric rates.
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I switched to normal Go before I even planned to get an EV.

In my case it was very easy to calculate which was financially better, all import at 8.5p all export at 15p, it was a lot better than Flux, I think around £600 a year better, that's based on being on Flux all year round. With the EV now I'm about £200 a year better off again on IOG.

PS I always fully charge off peak, and in the evening discharge to 15% before charging again.
 
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DRZ said:
In fact, charging your batteries from solar is more expensive than charging from the grid if it results in less export - as long as you've got sufficient energy in the batteries to get you from the point at which your solar generation doesn't cover your load until the start of the cheap charging window.
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This is exactly what I do. Fully charge off-peak and sell all my solar production.
 
TNA said:
Had a look around and what is granted changes from DNO to DNO and also your area.

I have 40+ houses my street and only one other house has solar panels. They only have like 6 old looking panels.

Looking a few streets nearby I can't see anyone else with solar panels. So that is like 200 houses or something. That hopefully bodes well for me.

What I am wondering is, can one apply for a G99 (I assume this is the correct one) a few years before ready for install or must work commence within a certain period of time? I only ask because between now and then more people may apply and that could reduce what they offer me.

Finally could this have impact on FIT if not careful? Should be fine if I don't touch current panels and inverter i would imagine?
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I've quoted in this thread, as it's the appropriate thread for the topic.

Sounds like you'll be likely to get a higher export.

IIRC you have six months to accept the offer the DNO gives you, and then six months to install and commission the system.

Yes, G99 is the correct one.
 
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