Solar panels and battery - any real world recommendations?

Just seen that City Plumbing have 600w panels in for very reasonable money. So I'm thinking the below for starters.

Just debating optimiser choice now, ideally I'd go with what I've got already but I'll be damned if I can find a model reference anywhere on the inverter (or my invoice). Any recommendations? Seems to be SolarEdge or Tigo on that front - or is it even worth bothering with them for a 4 panel secondary string?

I've also overspeced MC4 connectors, assuming I get optimisers I'll trim them back!

4x Longi Hi-Mo X6 615w panels

Longi Solar Hi-MO X6 Max 610WP PV Module LR7-72HTH-610

LONGi new generation HPBC cell technology opens a new chapter in the mass production of high-efficiency cells and continues to lead the reform of the industry.The efficiency of LONGi HPBC cells exceeds 25.0%.The efficiency of the PRO version HPBC cells exceeds 25.3%.
www.cityplumbing.co.uk www.cityplumbing.co.uk
£82.30 X 4 = £329.20
4x Mounting kits
www.ebay.co.uk

Adjustable Angle Solar Panel Mounting Brackets Solar Panel Tilt Mount Bracket 1x | eBay

The solar panel stand is suitable for all solar panels of all sizes. The solar panel holders are best suited for mounting solar panels on facades or flat roofs. These can also be mounted on any solid surface.
www.ebay.co.uk
£19.42 X 4 = £77.68
1x 6mm cable spool (50M)

Cable World Pv Solar Cable H1Z2Z2-K 6.0mm Black -40°C/+90°C 50M Reel

H1Z2Z2-K Solar Cable is TUV and EN certified and designed for the connection of photovoltaic panels. This extremely versatile single conductor cable is designed to meet the varying needs of the solar industry. Highly flexible, compatible with all brands of connectors and suitable for wet, damp...
www.cityplumbing.co.uk www.cityplumbing.co.uk
£55.72
10x MC4 connector pairs

Cable World Male and Female MC4 Connection Pack CWMC4

This pack contains both Male and Female Connectors for PV systems.
www.cityplumbing.co.uk www.cityplumbing.co.uk
£2.30 X 10 = £23.00
TOTAL£485.60
 
For your MC4 get these https://www.bimblesolar.com/STAUBLI-MC4-Pair-2025 Longi panels have Staubli connectors, and you should use matching pairs.

If you have no shading issues, then no need for optimisers, but if you are connecting to a SolarEdge inverter then you will need SolarEdge optimisers, and I'm also not sure if its plug and play, certainly the web portal/app will need updating to reflect the new panels.

For you're cable, consider using PV Ultra, its more expensive, but you don't need any labels on it, and its better protected, and neater.

Be aware that those panels are 2382 x 1134 x 30 mm, so rather on the large size, check the voltages for your inverter as well as they are 52v per panels, so 208 for 4, and also allow for low temperature increases.

PS. If crimping yourself, make sure you use a decent crimping tool, bad MC4 connections are one of the biggest causes of fires on PV installations.
 
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Welp they are large, there was me thinking they'd be a standard size. I think I can get 5 ~450w panels instead and save on the height, but that would push it closer to the chimney breast which would mean shading later in the afternoon for sure.

That PV Ultra cable is much neater like you say, is a bit pricier but I like the single cable run and yes I'll be crimping myself so I'll get a decent crimp tool as the one I have won't do those sort of cable diameters.

Thanks for the other pointers, much appreciated.

edit - FWIW these are the panels we have on the first string: https://theecosupermarket.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Datasheet-for-Jinko-Tiger-Neo.pdf

These seem to be a better match: https://www.cityplumbing.co.uk/p/ja...e-bi-facial-pv-module-jam54d41-440lb/p/104457 ?
 
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They are standard size, for commercial panels ;) There are basically three main sizes, residential which tend to be 1722 x 1134, 2093 x 1134, then the really big ones at 2382 x 1134. I used the middle size panela as they looked better on the wall, filled it more.

Make sure you get some spare MC4's and check the polarity of the cables prior to connecting to the inverter, my electrician managed to fit the MC4's back to front, it can be misleading, especially with the PV Ultra as you have red and white cables, he put the positive MC4 on the red cable, which appears at first to make sense, except you want a negative MC4 on the red cable to connect to the positive MC4 on the panels ;)

What inverter do you have?
 
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As its a Solaredge inverter you will need SolarEdge optimisers.

You'll need to research how to add panels to it, you may need to involve your installer, especially if you want to update the layout in the app of Web dashboard, I don't think an end user can do that.
 
Ron-ski said:
As its a Solaredge inverter you will need SolarEdge optimisers.

You'll need to research how to add panels to it, you may need to involve your installer, especially if you want to update the layout in the app of Web dashboard, I don't think an end user can do that.
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Noted.

I’ve just spent the evening trying to get to the admin settings page on my Inverter to not much avail. :(
 
That's low... I am pretty sure making 'Murica great again means pushing them firmly back in to the start of the last century, totally pathetic to stop your citizens getting a good deal on renewable energy solutions.
 
Just had Pav from FutureProofSolar who's team I got the quote from earlier for a bit of a measure up and chat as he was in my area.

I'd already decided that I wanted to maximise as much panels on the roof space (South and North facing) after watching the Oval Renewables video about how effective north facing panels can be, but wasn't sure how many I could fit on there, but it's looking like I can fit 31-34 panels over all roof space. Upping the inverter to 8kwh and having a 10kwh battery (will add another in the future). Not sure on price yet as they'll need to requote, but I expect about £12k all in.
 
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