Solar panels and battery - any real world recommendations?

Ron-ski said:
At least its one of the more accessible panels (still possibly need scaffolding), need to check the warranty, its been installed just under 10 years.

There is also a procedure document linked to for testing the panel and optimiser.

Edit: Whilst the optimiser and the panel is covered, no other costs are covered.
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I'd speak with the installer, and see what they say about providing you a panel and optimiser and pairing it with your system, and you do the work. You could always show them what you have done so far yourself with your other systems, and likely are more qualified than a lot of installers labourers. Offer to return any parts that are not needed etc. Just a thought as sometimes some companies can be reasonable.

If all else fails, and you have to pay for scaffolding, time to extend your FITS system... :D
 
I'll phone them tomorrow and see what they say, there are also a couple of SolarEdge installers that are closer.

I could then test it and the panel, and they may supply and register the optimiser for me.

Journey said:
If all else fails, and you have to pay for scaffolding, time to extend your FITS system... :D
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The thought crossed my mind, but I really didn't want to go to that expense, but then I am slipping down the charts a bit these days ;)
 
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Ron-ski said:
The thought crossed my mind, but I really didn't want to go to that expense, but then I am slipping down the charts a bit these days ;)
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Surely the FITS payments for ~1 year would cover a lot of the costs... and think of the extra 15p's you get from the other kWh generated. You can almost smell them :D
 
I would be extremely surprised if it was a panel issue rather than the optimiser. Surely if its just an optimiser swap at their expense, a scaffolding tower would be enough? It would just be a case of lifting the panel and swapping?
 
Journey said:
Surely the FITS payments for ~1 year would cover a lot of the costs... and think of the extra 15p's you get from the other kWh generated. You can almost smell them :D
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If you're referring to replacing the whole system, then FITS payments would be pro-rata back to a 4kWp system, but I'd probably see an uplift as the panels will simply be better, but the system is still generating, so I'm only losing 1/16th of the generation.

I currently get 19p per kWh for FITS, which is worth between £760 to £874 a year, worst case I'd lose about £54 a year in FITS payments, and as the panel generates at best 287 kWh a year, at 15p that equates to £43 if all is exported, so total loss would be £97 based on my best year, the system is still working, just one panel isn't.

If I installed a new system, say at a cost of £5k (MCE installer to maintain FITS), it would take a very long time to recoup that £5k with my additional £100+ of extra income, even if I gained an extra £200 a year, that would be 25 years.

reef said:
I would be extremely surprised if it was a panel issue rather than the optimiser. Surely if its just an optimiser swap at their expense, a scaffolding tower would be enough? It would just be a case of lifting the panel and swapping?
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I highly suspect its the optimiser and there's plenty on eBay if replacements aren't available. Standard scaffold tower is no good, as there is a pitched roof below, although there may be something a bit more elaborate available.

If I did it myself, I'd just make up some wooden blocks to pack some scaffold boards out on the roof.

The problematic panel is the one in the top left of the picture, this was taken some years ago when I had to repair the roof.

 
Ron-ski said:
I highly suspect its the optimiser and there's plenty on eBay if replacements aren't available. Standard scaffold tower is no good, as there is a pitched roof below, although there may be something a bit more elaborate available.

If I did it myself, I'd just make up some wooden blocks to pack some scaffold boards out on the roof.

The problematic panel is the one in the top left of the picture, this was taken some years ago when I had to repair the roof.

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If the roof can support your weight with a few boards, then it doesn't look too bad. I would be tempted to just go up on a ladder and stand on that roof, though obviously not recommended. :p

I went through the same decision process with the main south-east facing roof. Due to how low down it the original installer fitted the panels, it could definitely fit 14 instead of 12 and with newer 450+w panels, I would have had a 1.5kWp+ increase. I couldn't make the sums work either though and that's without FIT to consider like in your case. That's why I just decided to go with a garage install. At least it's an all new array so payback is quicker, though I'm actually doing it to get the batteries and inverter out of my loft, allow further battery expansion if needed and also for power cut backup as the grid has become increasingly unreliable in the last couple of years here.
 
I've been on that roof many a time (its concrete tile), its how I get on the main roof, been up there many times as well, I just strap a step ladder in the corner then scurry up the roof to the ridge. Without a platform to work off of there is no way to reach the panel mounts though. I'm also getting older (late fifties), last weekend I couldn't even put my socks on as I trapped a nerve or pulled a muscle or something in my hip, its getting better, but not good enough to go climbing on roofs yet.

Also just remembered its bank holiday Monday, so I guess I'll be calling the installer Tuesday just to see what they say.
 
Does anybody remember who it was on here that did the SolarEdge online training and got access to the installer app?
 
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I want to add 4 solar panels to my setup. But it looks like panels are cheap, but shipping is 90 quid or more. Has anyone seen a good deal recently? Ideally I'm looking to pay under 200 quid for the panels and shipping to Manchester.
 
Good one, thanks guys.

It looks like I can purchase 4x bifacial double glass JA Solar 445W All Black Solar Panel for £255.60 (Inc. VAT) - both for collection and delivery.

I'm thinking of buying 2x EcoFlow STREAM Microinverters - for £179 total with their current promotion. I'll get an electrician to hardwire them and this should give me extra 1600W peak solar generation quite cheaply.
 
Yes, but parts only. This is the problem with optimisers and micro inverters. I think Enphase gives parts and labour for the first two years, not sure if that covers scaffolding though.

A 25 year warranty sounds great, until you read the small print.
 
Ron-ski said:
If you're referring to replacing the whole system, then FITS payments would be pro-rata back to a 4kWp system, but I'd probably see an uplift as the panels will simply be better, but the system is still generating, so I'm only losing 1/16th of the generation.
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I know, was just being silly. I wonder how much used SE gear is worth these days, can't be a great deal anymore. Maybe when you can fit higher wattage panels as 16x 500w is only 8kWp which as you say even spending £5k, it would take a while to recoup the costs, although you'd be generating almost twice as much right, so 50% FITS, and 50% SEG? so perhaps only 7-8 years payback assuming SEG stays like it is now.
 
Tempting, but I must resist :cry:

If it was 8kWp then 50% FIT generation and almost 100% SEG as I pretty much export all I generate as I always charge overnight.

I'm also not sure how many panels will fit, given modern panels are a bit bigger, I may check, just for curiosity of course.
 
Using 17 470w panels I can effectively double the system size, so generation would be well over 8 MWh a year, this would give roughly £600 extra a year, (assuming export rates don't decrease) so a long payback period. Other complications are the inverter is currently in the loft, and will likely need to be mounted externally, with associated cable runs.
 
Export rates are the big one. I expect we'll soon see variable rates where you get more for peak times and next to nothing in the day when solar is plentiful. I wouldnt base anything at the moment on 15p/kWh rates, especially over long periods.

I think having a large battery with high export rate will be king soon. Filling it up all day and then sending out in the evening peak. Essentially what Flux was until they ruined it.
 
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