Solar panels and battery - any real world recommendations?

It appears that the AC1 G2 inverter models are battery only, no MPPTs.

They'd be better off with a full hybrid, just in case they want to add solar at a later date.
 
Thanks for the info everyone.
I've asked that they install a hybrid inverter. The guy said that's fine.
He also said I need to notify the company that pays our Fit . I thought that because we're going for ac coupled we didn't need to notify them but he said the rules had changed.
 
SkyTerran said:
Some of the big battery and solar providers are entering the balcony power space. EcoFlow recently launched the Stream series with a micro inverter and a few battery options, all available in UK. Enphase launched IQ Balcony Solar Kit with two microinverters and a Balcony Gateway, that both feeds electricity into the home grid and provides a socket. The socket can supply power during grid outages to say a router or a fridge. Looks like it's not available yet in UK.
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This is all over my youtube now.
 
Ron-ski said:
Just to clarify, that's if you replace the existing FITS inverter with a hybrid, not fit a separate hybrid inverter.
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Correct.

What's the reason for fitting a hybrid Inverter over an ac coupled?
I've done hybrid Inverters set up as ac coupled before as battery upgrades but that's just so we could use a 5kW as opposed to ac coupleds which are usually around 3.68kW.
 
Jonathan spectra said:
What's the reason for fitting a hybrid Inverter over an ac coupled?
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In the regards to the person posting recently on here, it was down to the fact they may want to fit additional panels at a later date.

SkyTerran said:
Does one need to notify the DNO if just adding solar panels to a home setup (while keeping the same hybrid inverter)?
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My interpretation is that if you are adding additional panels (over panelling the inverter), but not increasing the size of the inverter, then no, but if you had a 10kW inverter with only 5kW of panels and 5kW export allowance, then by adding more panels you would exceed the DNO allowance unless limited by a compliant G100 system.

For example my Victron is 8kW, but I have 11.5kWp of panels, it can't exceed 8kW apart from very briefly, so I didn't request more export allowance, because my maximum possible export remained the same.
 
Ron-ski said:
In the regards to the person posting recently on here, it was down to the fact they may want to fit additional panels at a later date.



My interpretation is that if you are adding additional panels (over panelling the inverter), but not increasing the size of the inverter, then no, but if you had a 10kW inverter with only 5kW of panels and 5kW export allowance, then by adding more panels you would exceed the DNO allowance unless limited by a compliant G100 system.

For example my Victron is 8kW, but I have 11.5kWp of panels, it can't exceed 8kW apart from very briefly, so I didn't request more export allowance, because my maximum possible export remained the same.
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They will need a hybrid inverter that can run in ac coupled if you're using the dc inputs on this specific inverter but also wanting to charge the batteries up off the existing pv system. Not every hybrid inverter works like this.

DNO application is only needed if the Inverter exceeds 3.68kW.

If you have a 3.68kW and want any other sized inverter installing then it's G99 approval prior to installation.

If you have a 5kW Inverter and want any other sized inverter installing then it's G99 approval prior to installation


If you have a 10kW inverter with 5kW export then you can install as many panels as you want, whenever you want, as the export will always be 5kW as long as it's set on the Inverter.

DNO only care about Inverter sizes and export limits set on them.
 
Speaking of G99, Northern powergrid charge £990+VAT just to start the process on a G99-A1-1 it seems. They surely must be the most expensive DNO. No wonder so many installers don't seem to bother!

From what I've heard they're slow too, as @Gazanimal will attest.

My original installer havent covered themselves in glory either. They did a G98 the first time around on a 5kW inverter, then a fast track for two 3.68kW inverters with one not exporting on the second. No wonder they wouldn't fit one larger inverter like I wanted. If only Id known then what I know now, as they say.
 
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reef said:
Speaking of G99, Northern powergrid charge £990+VAT just to start the process on a G99-A1-1 it seems. They surely must be the most expensive DNO. No wonder so many installers don't seem to bother!

From what I've heard they're slow too, as @Gazanimal will attest.

My original installer havent covered themselves in glory either. They did a G98 the first time around on a 5kW inverter, then a fast track for two 3.68kW inverters with one not exporting on the second. No wonder they wouldn't fit one larger inverter like I wanted. If only Id known then what I know now, as they say.
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Yep they are slow but also receptive to emails to find out what’s going on if your installer isn’t great at keeping you in the loop.

I’m just waiting on Octopus currently to set me up on Octopus Export after applying about 10 days ago, but they also appear to be slow as well.
 
Jonathan spectra said:
They will need a hybrid inverter that can run in ac coupled if you're using the dc inputs on this specific inverter but also wanting to charge the batteries up off the existing pv system. Not every hybrid inverter works like this.

DNO application is only needed if the Inverter exceeds 3.68kW.

If you have a 3.68kW and want any other sized inverter installing then it's G99 approval prior to installation.

If you have a 5kW Inverter and want any other sized inverter installing then it's G99 approval prior to installation


If you have a 10kW inverter with 5kW export then you can install as many panels as you want, whenever you want, as the export will always be 5kW as long as it's set on the Inverter.

DNO only care about Inverter sizes and export limits set on them.
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I had just a Powerwall 3 installed initially, no solar panels. Got a 5.5kW export limit from the DNO. Later added 6.5kW solar array. Wonder if I need to notify the DNO about it and if likely to get the export limit increased.
 
No and it’s very unlikely they’ll increase it given they already limited the battery below its max capacity.

The chances of you actually needing it are also fairly small in the U.K. given your house load needs to come off that and in full sun the panels will be producing below their rated output.
 
I'm planning to add two Ecoflow Stream Microinverters, 800W each. Connect them to 4 extra solar panels on the roof. Do I need to notify the DNO about them?
 
Yes.

They may even insist on de-rating your existing system when you apply for another G99.

Edit: I expect many don’t and there is probably a fair amount of solar on the grid they don’t know about these days.
 
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reef said:
Speaking of G99, Northern powergrid charge £990+VAT just to start the process on a G99-A1-1 it seems. They surely must be the most expensive DNO. No wonder so many installers don't seem to bother!

From what I've heard they're slow too, as @Gazanimal will attest.

My original installer havent covered themselves in glory either. They did a G98 the first time around on a 5kW inverter, then a fast track for two 3.68kW inverters with one not exporting on the second. No wonder they wouldn't fit one larger inverter like I wanted. If only Id known then what I know now, as they say.
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Since the revamp of G99's iv never been charged a fee off northern powergrid, where have you seen this?

The only DNO I know which charges a fee at the moment is SP Energy Networks if a G99 sgi fails the initial fast track assessment. G99 A1-1 will 100% be a fee with SPEN as it goes straight to full works
 
SkyTerran said:
I had just a Powerwall 3 installed initially, no solar panels. Got a 5.5kW export limit from the DNO. Later added 6.5kW solar array. Wonder if I need to notify the DNO about it and if likely to get the export limit increased.
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No need to let them know as nothing changes on their end.

You can ask but it's better to speak to a design engineer on the phone about it rather than re-applying G99 as they won't lower your limit over the phone.
The issue is getting on the phone to a design engineer to begin with who is willing to help you.
 
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