Associate
No, this is just how the 3D image looks when viewed as 2D, I used same panel size 1750 x 1150 mm or something similar.
Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?
- Thread starter GinG
- Start date
Soldato
I like how you went full CAD, I jumped into Excel on mine and went with right side design on this post 
forums.overclockers.co.uk
In Excel I used 1 square on the spreadsheet is 1 CM in real life, and then made every square, square, then I was using shenanigans with thick borders and filling in squares, worked surprisingly well and the model was accurate enough.
Yes, I really don't have much clearance at all top and bottom! bit too close for comfort really, but moar panels!
Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?
Alright I need the brain trust here! Install started today but it's clear that the layout the installers picked won't work, they had three panels stacked horizontally on the left/upper roof, and that is no bueno. I have come up with two core designs that seem to work: Design 1 on the left...
forums.overclockers.co.uk
In Excel I used 1 square on the spreadsheet is 1 CM in real life, and then made every square, square, then I was using shenanigans with thick borders and filling in squares, worked surprisingly well and the model was accurate enough.
Yes, I really don't have much clearance at all top and bottom! bit too close for comfort really, but moar panels!
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Soldato
Do consider that more roof locations means more scaffold as well most likely.
What is your energy usage like in general?
Are you considering battery storage?
Associate
Pretty elegant though and it worked!I like how you went full CAD, I jumped into Excel on mine and went with right side design on this post
Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?
Alright I need the brain trust here! Install started today but it's clear that the layout the installers picked won't work, they had three panels stacked horizontally on the left/upper roof, and that is no bueno. I have come up with two core designs that seem to work: Design 1 on the left...
In Excel I used 1 square on the spreadsheet is 1 CM in real life, and then made every square, square, then I was using shenanigans with thick borders and filling in squares, worked surprisingly well and the model was accurate enough.
Yes, I really don't have much clearance at all top and bottom! bit too close for comfort really, but moar panels!
Associate
House consumes 5KWh/year, my electric car another 5K and now wife is swapping to electric that will charge during day so I ll be using what I produce. But I also want to future proof in case EV night tariffs seize to exist. Yes, I want a battery at least 10KWH
Soldato
Sounds like you'll make good use of it.
Switch yourself onto Octopus Go as well if you can maybe, or Agile or something.
Switch yourself onto Octopus Go as well if you can maybe, or Agile or something.
Soldato
Assuming it was me that your are referring to @Vaddoc then they dont use sacffolding so no need to worry there, they use a system a bit like a tower so I guess multiple roofs would be far less of an issue than installers that use an external scaffolder
Just over 2 weeks to go for me now!
Just over 2 weeks to go for me now!
Associate
Yes indeed. Good luck with your installation!
Use https://easy-pv.co.uk/home and input your measurements then you can play at adding different mfg panels and inverters etc and get a costing. I have had many quotes some even never brought a tape measure, 1 even did'nt want to go into the roof space, iPhone has an angle meter, also a tape measure function. 1 guy just counted the concrete tiles lol and was totally out of his depth with the 2nd roof that had pin tiles. Another just guessed!!! Most use easy-pv which roughly calculates your roof size I found it better adding your own measurements. When the quotes came in ridiculous prices think the double glazing salesmen have been reborn lolOK
I thought I d post a follow up to my saga trying to get panels installed. It is a jungle out there.
The last installer was adamant my roof can only take 9 panels, others said 10, one said 11. They come and measure for hours and in the end they don't seem to have a clue.
So I thought I d take things in my hands, maybe this post will be useful to others.
First I accurately measured the external dimensions of my house taking into account the projection of the roof out of the walls.
Then I measured the angle of my roof going in the attic
Then I calculated the dimensions of the actual roof, there are easy calculators on the net.
But then I decided to take it all the way and drew the whole roof on CAD. Well, it seems I can actually get 13 panels in the main roof SE and another 4 in the smaller SW. There will be no shade.
I have no idea how panels are installed but I should not be that far off.
17 south panels is not the same as the last quote (9 facing south and another 9 facing North.)
I really would expect that paying north of £14k, this work would be done by the installer.
I do have another quote coming up (many thanks to the forum member recommending his installer), lets hope it will be a sensible one.
Soldato
I would have never guessed that it was done in Excel, amazing just how many uses Excel can be put to.
One problem I found with Easy PV was you couldn't arrange panels in both landscape and portrait orientation, also an east / west configuration wasn't possible, it was rather lacking in that respect.
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Soldato
Well, Excel and MS Paint once I had accurate size info from Excel
Excel is the best office app full stop!
Associate
Lovely, many thanks!
Associate
Maybe give it another try? I created both my roofs and arranged them in both portrait and landscape
Soldato
Odd, perhaps I'm missing something, still can't see how to have portrait and landscape together - doesn't seem to be a rotate option.
Man of Honour
Take advantage of the scaffolding to clear your gutters!
Soldato
And replace any bad tiles!
Man of Honour
Soldato
I have some but yours looks like it's trying to grow a forest!
Soldato
I lichen that idea @Freefaller
There's also a McDonalds going spare..
I have some but yours looks like it's trying to grow a forest!
There's also a McDonalds going spare..
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Man of Honour
I have some but yours looks like it's trying to grow a forest!
Indeed it hasn't been touched in over 50 years I'd guess - the house was built in 1951 - and I very much doubt any maintenance has been done on it.
That's actually a garden waste bag and some red gloves!
The nearest McDonalds (I had to look it up) is over 25 miles away! 