So after all that - the other supplier in my shortlist offered to match the quote AND install an EV charger as well but using Solax.
Any reason to pick one over the other?
Solar panels and battery - any real world recommendations?
- Thread starter GinG
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Any reason to pick one over the other?
Just got a quote for 24x Jinko Tiger 440w panel installation for £6300 to add to my existing powerwall 3. Which after seeing quotes for £12k for same panel number seems very reasonable. Just wondering if it’s worth upgrading panels to higher 470w type.
Its 9.3% more generation, so i would get a price and see if its more than 9.3% more expensive. Personally I would do it if the price isn't too far off.
I'm thinking of building a covered area/canopy next to my house and covering it with solar panels, instead of something like https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-PVCu-Clear-Corrugated-Sheet---660-x-2400mm/p/240152 . But I want to have plenty of light - which solar panels would let some light through? I've seen Heatable show the REA panels they use let a lot of light through, but don't think they are available for order online without installation.
I have a Powerwall 3 and all 3 MPPT strings are in use. I guess I'll have to buy an inverter, connect these new panels to it and connect the inverter to the AC side of the Powerwall.
I have a Powerwall 3 and all 3 MPPT strings are in use. I guess I'll have to buy an inverter, connect these new panels to it and connect the inverter to the AC side of the Powerwall.
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most companies charge approx £200 per panel, so for the panel install = £4800
+ £500 for scaffolding (or £800 for dual aspect scaffolding)
+ £150 for bird netting
ask for a quote closer to £6000?
Not a bad idea and that corrugated plastic stuff is pretty nasty. All bifacial panels let about the same amount of light through. You could space you the panels to let more light through.
Yup, you’ll need another inverter (and a G99) but they are available down to 1kw so that shouldn’t be an issue. Pretty sure you can wire a sting inverter to the gateway so it’s recognised as solar protection.
Stumbled upon an interesting article regarding solar in Germany, Netherlands and other EU countries - apparently many people living in apartments are buying Plug-In Photovoltaic kits for 300 euros or so, that contain 2x 400W solar panels and a basic inverter, which plugs into a regular electric socket. Doesn't require any approval or an electrician. Can cover 25% to 30% of the electricity consumption. There's an option to add a battery.
https://www.solarpowereurope.org/pr...lug-in-solar-pv-a-fast-emerging-solar-segment
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/06...w-product-standard-for-plug-in-solar-devices/
There is also a startup in USA that is developing a small home battery for people living in apartments or renting, again it just plugs into a regular electric socket - https://pilaenergy.com/ .
These detect when the grid is down and stop supplying voltage into the socket.
https://www.solarpowereurope.org/pr...lug-in-solar-pv-a-fast-emerging-solar-segment
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/06...w-product-standard-for-plug-in-solar-devices/
There is also a startup in USA that is developing a small home battery for people living in apartments or renting, again it just plugs into a regular electric socket - https://pilaenergy.com/ .
These detect when the grid is down and stop supplying voltage into the socket.
This isn't new.
Mentioned if many times in this thread, Inverter of choice is the ecoflow power stream or similar.
Soldato
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I think they call them apartment systems, or balcony systems which are technically dubious in the UK
Soldato
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From what I can tell its not specifically illegal but its not generally accepted as good practice.
I have seen it suggested that if your going to do plug in you put it on its own "fuse" or circuit etc depending on your home setup.
As such its not really going to be economic to do that for most people.
IIRC its 5amp your allowed to produce with no notification and realistically putting that into your wiring shouldn't matter where it is.
I cant see it being an issue in a house, but in a set of flats you could see that if it was widely adopted that the generation could exceed demand at times even if not regularly and hence risk doing funky stuff to the electrics in the building.
I assume they bring in 3 phase and drop it down like they do on a residential street.
Three phase isn't dropped down, it is 240v on each phase, when a phase and the neutral are used. When you use three phases together you get 415v. I don't fully understand 3 phase, so I generally leave well alone though.
I can't see that having too much solar in flats would cause any problems, excess would just flow out to the grid.
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Soldato
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Yeah I didnt mean drop down the voltage I guess split the phases was what I should have said.
Out of interest, if anyone can remember that is, do you know how long it took for your G99 to come back from the DNO? Just looking at an average timeframe to what to expect even though I'm not entirely sure when it was submitted by the installers.
It differs depending on DNO, and how they submitted it. Presumably as you are quoting an export figure you are exporting, although you say "if I could", but without exporting you wouldn't have that figure and your solar generation would be curtailed???
If they did a G99 fast track, then that allows 3.68kW export power, until approved for more IIRC, then the power can be turned up if permitted.
If not using the fast track G99 I believe the equipment shouldn't be commissioned until they receive the G99, ideally they should have it before installation.
G98 is upto 3.68 kW and is install and notify.
G99 is above 3.68 kW and its ask permission, then install.
When exporting at maximum what are your grid voltages?
If they did a G99 fast track, then that allows 3.68kW export power, until approved for more IIRC, then the power can be turned up if permitted.
If not using the fast track G99 I believe the equipment shouldn't be commissioned until they receive the G99, ideally they should have it before installation.
G98 is upto 3.68 kW and is install and notify.
G99 is above 3.68 kW and its ask permission, then install.
When exporting at maximum what are your grid voltages?
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Soldato
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Mine took about 6 weeks iirc
The ‘Export’ figure I see is the one that is calculated by the FoxCloud app or Energy Stats app. I think it just works out via a simple calculation what you generate and deducts what you use and then anything surplus is classed as an export.