Solar panels and battery - any real world recommendations?

Ron-ski · 28 Apr 2025 at 15:37

You can go on time of use without MCS, but it's almost impossible to get paid a decent export rate without MCS. Octopus run a scheme for non MCS systems, but whilst you can get on it, you need to jump through multiple hoops, general advice is to get MCS if you can.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 28 Apr 2025 at 20:23

Update on the artisan voltage issue
Good and pretty surprising resolution

Journey · 28 Apr 2025 at 20:39

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
Good and pretty surprising resolution

Yep, I wonder how much Artisan are going to fleece UKPN for, who then pass that on to their customers.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 28 Apr 2025 at 20:40

Journey said:
Yep, I wonder how much Artisan are going to fleece UKPN for, who then pass that on to their customers.

LOTS

b0rn2sk8 · 29 Apr 2025 at 08:05

Good to see UKPN accepting responsibility which I suspected was the case, 15kw export at that location was a massive surprise.

Also good to see Artisan eating a suitable amount of humble pie for their errors in the original video even if Jordan couldn’t fully withhold his smug ‘I was right’ face for the entire video.

Freefaller · 29 Apr 2025 at 11:05

I do find them a little "arrogant" (too strong a word), but at least the customer's issue has been resolved.

Ron-ski · 30 Apr 2025 at 22:32

Just watched it, nice outcome for the customer.

As I said as well, UKPN networks shouldn't have issued such a high export limit, and Artisan really should have known better.

Mr.Cookie · 1 May 2025 at 18:40

I'm back again

12 x aiko 460w gen2
12 x enphase energy micro inverter
1 x enphase iqbattery 5kwh
Bird proofing

11,427.91

10,500 if take quick as apparently have spots available

Diagro · 1 May 2025 at 18:43

Mr.Cookie said:
I'm back again

12 x aiko 460w gen2
12 x enphase energy micro inverter
1 x enphase iqbattery 5kwh
Bird proofing

11,427.91

10,500 if take quick as apparently have spots available

Why not go for the cheaper panels?
The energiser 390w is £50 at the moment.

Mr.Cookie · 1 May 2025 at 18:50

Diagro said:
Why not go for the cheaper panels?
The energiser 390w is £50 at the moment.

Not a clue, the quote came from bliss eco energy

200sols · 1 May 2025 at 18:52

Diagro said:
Why not go for the cheaper panels?
The energiser 390w is £50 at the moment.

Because 12x 390w panels is a 17% smaller system vs 12 x 460w panels.

Diagro · 1 May 2025 at 18:53

Mr.Cookie said:
Not a clue, the quote came from bliss eco energy

I'd question this.

The battery is 3k
Solar panels can be had for £750ish
Micro inverter easy £1500
Scaffolding... £600?

That's a hefty profit they making.

Diagro · 1 May 2025 at 18:54

200sols said:
Because 12x 390w panels is a 17% smaller system vs 12 x 460w panels.

Which is irrelevant. As it's over the 3.7kw limit. Unless that quote includes a G99 application etc etc

200sols · 1 May 2025 at 18:54

Diagro said:
Which is irrelevant. As it's over the 3.7kw limit. Unless that quote includes a G99 application etc etc

It's far from irrelevant..

Diagro · 1 May 2025 at 18:59

200sols said:
It's far from irrelevant..

Meh, add two more panels. Still cheaper even with more micro inverter. And a better average yield.

You'll have to forgive me. I'm used to sites with 40,000 panels. Ha

DRZ · 1 May 2025 at 19:01

Diagro said:
Which is irrelevant. As it's over the 3.7kw limit. Unless that quote includes a G99 application etc etc

3.7kW limit? You have to do paperwork either way even with a 'simple' G98 notification. It is hardly a limit and absolutely certainly not one to base any decision on whatsoever.

Panels are on the roof for a very long time - that difference adds up massively over the years. Far from irrelevant, it might be the single most important consideration alongside quantity of panels!

Diagro · 1 May 2025 at 19:08

DRZ said:
3.7kW limit? You have to do paperwork either way even with a 'simple' G98 notification. It is hardly a limit and absolutely certainly not one to base any decision on whatsoever.

Panels are on the roof for a very long time - that difference adds up massively over the years. Far from irrelevant, it might be the single most important consideration alongside quantity of panels!

I'd rather save the £600 using the 390w panels.
Which is why I'm using 390w on my garage. Then again, I'll move in 3 odd years

tamzzy · 1 May 2025 at 19:16

Mr.Cookie said:
I'm back again

12 x aiko 460w gen2
12 x enphase energy micro inverter
1 x enphase iqbattery 5kwh
Bird proofing

11,427.91

10,500 if take quick as apparently have spots available

that's expensive
are you down south?
do you need micro inverters?

tamzzy · 1 May 2025 at 19:18

Gazanimal said:
Final price is around the £12k mark for a 31 panel system with an 8kw Inverter and a 10.36kwh battery - there might be a little uplift in price as they may be able to squeeze on another 3 panels or so at £150 each (fitted).

Seems a good price considering. If anyone has any other comments or ideas I'm happy to hear them.

@Mr.Cookie
for 12k this is what others are getting!!!

200sols · 1 May 2025 at 19:30

Diagro said:
Meh, add two more panels. Still cheaper even with more micro inverter. And a better average yield.

You'll have to forgive me. I'm used to sites with 40,000 panels. Ha

Commercial is totally different. Roof space is probably limited on domestic so you can't just chuck on 2 extra panels. 390w panels are old now anyway, 450w panels are only £60.