Ronski's Solar & battery DIY build with whole house backup
- Thread starter Ron-ski
- Start date
Progress this weekend.
I've made up the last two combiner boxers, the second from the left isn't really a combiner as its only going to be a single string, but it keeps it looking neat.
The larger one combines three strings for the west north west house roof array, its is all wired up internally as much as I can for the moment, but I've run out out 35mm cable, and also 16mm cable for the rear wall string. Also the actual PV cables are not yet run in.
The MPPT's haven't arrived yet, with a bit of luck they'll arrive this week.
Got to cut the grass, and hedges, but if I get time later I need to lift one of the decking boards so I can run the PV cables under it from the house to the garage.
I've made up the last two combiner boxers, the second from the left isn't really a combiner as its only going to be a single string, but it keeps it looking neat.
The larger one combines three strings for the west north west house roof array, its is all wired up internally as much as I can for the moment, but I've run out out 35mm cable, and also 16mm cable for the rear wall string. Also the actual PV cables are not yet run in.
The MPPT's haven't arrived yet, with a bit of luck they'll arrive this week.
Got to cut the grass, and hedges, but if I get time later I need to lift one of the decking boards so I can run the PV cables under it from the house to the garage.
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They can do, but hoping that as I've treated the guy well looking after his vehicles for many years, he'll look after me. His workers though owe me no favours, not even sure they would have known who they were putting scaffolding up for (I was at work).
Got it cheap, as per above.
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Lots of bits arrived today.
Some PV cable and flexible metal PVC coated conduit for under the deck, and a box of clips.
Some cable clips
6mm 4 core PV cable in a single cable, the other roll is twin core 6mm.
Some PV cable and flexible metal PVC coated conduit for under the deck, and a box of clips.
Some cable clips
6mm 4 core PV cable in a single cable, the other roll is twin core 6mm.
Didn't get much done yesterday, as had some gardening to do, then out in the afternoon.
Made good progress today, although with the sun and heat it was hard going, had to rig up an old dust sheet for some shade.
Got all the conduits in (they were a tight fit), and also the first cable run in from the garage to the loft (not shown), although nothing is yet clipped in place.
The cable will go up the wall behind the drain pipe, and thus be hidden at ground level. The cables are run in flexible steel conduit under the decking and into the garage.
Made good progress today, although with the sun and heat it was hard going, had to rig up an old dust sheet for some shade.
Got all the conduits in (they were a tight fit), and also the first cable run in from the garage to the loft (not shown), although nothing is yet clipped in place.
The cable will go up the wall behind the drain pipe, and thus be hidden at ground level. The cables are run in flexible steel conduit under the decking and into the garage.
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Look what arrived today
, still waiting on the 150/45 though.Ordered four weeks ago today (its a beast!), but at £309 it was well worth the wait. It was an exceptional price even before I used the "Sign up to our newsletter and get 10% off your first order" offer
, I think they've removed that offer now though!Hopefully the 150/45 will arrive next week - they're expecting stock, bizarrely they have 5 available on eBay, but their store says available to order 7 to 10 days.
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Here's a little something I've been trying to get my head around.
The four landscape panels have four rails running vertically, the eight portrait panels have the rails running horizontally.
Now you're supposed to calculate the wind loads, the snow loads, is the roof structurally strong enough etc. Most of that is related to where on the roof the panels are located (how high, how close to the edge or the ridge), and of course the weather conditions for the geographical location for where they are installed.
As all that's a bit beyond me, Ive gone for the below - the red circles are the roof hook locations.
Now fortunately, for comparison purposes, I have a professionally installed and MCS certified installation on the other side of the roof, its been there since 2015. Looking at the hook spacings, and end of rail overhangs, I'd say its very unlikely to comply with the requirements, but its stood the test of time, and some pretty strong winds. At the time of installation, I did have to get the installer to alter one length of rail as they had a join in the wrong place - the length of rail was only supported by one roof hook. I'll have more roof hooks, and closer together, so will be much stronger.
As you can see, I have the benefit of going up in the loft and accurately drawing my rafter locations, and thus being able to work out the ideal locations, now the only variable is the positions up/down the roof for each roof hook & rail, which is dictated by the roof tiles.
The four landscape panels have four rails running vertically, the eight portrait panels have the rails running horizontally.
Now you're supposed to calculate the wind loads, the snow loads, is the roof structurally strong enough etc. Most of that is related to where on the roof the panels are located (how high, how close to the edge or the ridge), and of course the weather conditions for the geographical location for where they are installed.
As all that's a bit beyond me, Ive gone for the below - the red circles are the roof hook locations.
Now fortunately, for comparison purposes, I have a professionally installed and MCS certified installation on the other side of the roof, its been there since 2015. Looking at the hook spacings, and end of rail overhangs, I'd say its very unlikely to comply with the requirements, but its stood the test of time, and some pretty strong winds. At the time of installation, I did have to get the installer to alter one length of rail as they had a join in the wrong place - the length of rail was only supported by one roof hook. I'll have more roof hooks, and closer together, so will be much stronger.
As you can see, I have the benefit of going up in the loft and accurately drawing my rafter locations, and thus being able to work out the ideal locations, now the only variable is the positions up/down the roof for each roof hook & rail, which is dictated by the roof tiles.
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Looks like you are more than covered with your layout there, I highly doubt a professional installer would be any more thorough.
Have now got both cables run from the garage to the loft, still one more cable to run in, but that's for the panels going on the back wall, should get that done tomorrow.
Seems I overestimated on the four core by about 4 meters, still I'd rather be over than too short.
These cables will be pretty much hidden by the rear wall panels, and the cables come up from under the decking behind the downpipe, so are not seen at ground level.
Seems I overestimated on the four core by about 4 meters, still I'd rather be over than too short.
These cables will be pretty much hidden by the rear wall panels, and the cables come up from under the decking behind the downpipe, so are not seen at ground level.
There was a ladder there, but I removed it as it was in the way coming in and out the house, and I only need access when working up there.
Got the third cable run in, and all three terminated in the garage, that's the cabling done.
Got the third cable run in, and all three terminated in the garage, that's the cabling done.
The three panels have arrived as well
I'll likely take them home after the weekend.
I should have everything now, just need to get them all fitted.
PS. Very surprised to see them delivered with a Tesla towing a trailer, at least they were delivered with care.
I'll likely take them home after the weekend.
I should have everything now, just need to get them all fitted.
PS. Very surprised to see them delivered with a Tesla towing a trailer, at least they were delivered with care.
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