Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?

Nathan · 30 Jan 2024 at 19:16

I self installed 25 panels and 20kw storage. Wired up and new circuits done by electrician.

I have just paid Octopus for the non MCs export. I have saved a fortune by going this route.

So far the system has cost me circa 13.5k. But for that I have:

10.5kw panels
6kw hybrid inverter
20kw storage in heated cab
New consumer unit for the circuits
All certs apart from MCs.

I think once you have an MPAN it matters not what happens with Octopus moving forwards.

The Angry Welshman · 30 Jan 2024 at 19:20

Nathan said:
I self installed 25 panels and 20kw storage. Wired up and new circuits done by electrician.

I have just paid Octopus for the non MCs export. I have saved a fortune by going this route.

So far the system has cost me circa 13.5k. But for that I have:

10.5kw panels
6kw hybrid inverter
20kw storage in heated cab
New consumer unit for the circuits
All certs apart from MCs.

I think once you have an MPAN it matters not what happens with Octopus moving forwards.

What do you mean, you paid octopus for non mcs exports??

Nathan · 30 Jan 2024 at 19:41

Welshman said:
What do you mean, you paid octopus for non mcs exports??

Successfully joined the “trial” for paid export on non MCS installs. Still require electrical, building regs and G99 which my electrician sorted for me.

It cost me £250 in admin fee though.

94JDH · 30 Jan 2024 at 19:41

Welshman said:
What do you mean, you paid octopus for non mcs exports??

If I remember there is an application fee of £250 to go this route if you don't have an MCS - not guaranteed either, depends on the information you provide.

Nathan · 30 Jan 2024 at 19:51

Has anyone managed over 12kw on a G99? My electrician has said they limit single phase at 60amps but only if the local transformer can take it. I have 6kw export but want permission for another 8kw for my pending second install. I’m going to submit a further application this week.

furthermore has anyone had to pay for a large export, ie a payment to the grid? I have read sometimes there is a payment request on larger installs.

The Angry Welshman · 30 Jan 2024 at 20:25

94JDH said:
If I remember there is an application fee of £250 to go this route if you don't have an MCS - not guaranteed either, depends on the information you provide.

Glad i got mcs lol…..£250 is a lot to make back on export.

Nathan · 30 Jan 2024 at 20:39

It is fairly steep I agree but so are “professional” installs that are MCS certified which I have avoided.
The whole MCS thing is a joke. The amount of installs I see that are certified but not done to the regs is ridiculous.

The Angry Welshman · 30 Jan 2024 at 20:45

Nathan said:
It is fairly steep I agree but so are “professional” installs that are MCS certified which I have avoided.
The whole MCS thing is a joke. The amount of installs I see that are certified but not done to the regs is ridiculous.

My install was only 5k…….so not too bad really, as i didnt go the battery route as im a light user and wanted to do export to help recover costs.

b0rn2sk8 · 30 Jan 2024 at 20:49

Welshman said:
Glad i got mcs lol…..£250 is a lot to make back on export.

Sure you saved £250 but they saved £X000 on installer margin and labour costs on their rather large system.

I've got absolutely no doubt I could have saved £x000 doing a lot of the donkey work myself for my system but I was happy to pay for someone else to do it so I didn't have to.

Nathan · 30 Jan 2024 at 20:50

yeah thats not too bad to be fair. I’m hoping by summer mine will be exporting on good days 100 plus, so payback shouldn’t take long, if exports stay strong come April price changes.

94JDH · 30 Jan 2024 at 20:53

Welshman said:
Glad i got mcs lol…..£250 is a lot to make back on export.

It is, especially as it's also not guaranteed.

Nathan · 30 Jan 2024 at 21:06

94JDH said:
It is, especially as it's also not guaranteed.

You get a £150 refund if it’s a no. Cheap gamble for £100.

94JDH · 30 Jan 2024 at 21:07

Nathan said:
yeah thats not too bad to be fair. I’m hoping by summer mine will be exporting on good days 100 plus, so payback shouldn’t take long, if exports stay strong come April price changes.

Are you looking to export 100kWh per day off 10.5kW PV array or when you've added more - if original you'd be lucky to get more than 70kWh generation on perfect days.

Ron-ski · 30 Jan 2024 at 21:14

Bomster said:
Has anyone had any experience DIYing a solar/battery system

See my build thread, linked below, I would do things slightly differently if doing it again, I wouldn't self build the batteries, there are some very built batteries available now for less money, but prices have dropped.

Nathan said:
Has anyone managed over 12kw on a G99

I got 11.6kW, but did originally apply for more, which I also got, but then equipment changed. The whole G99 things seems a bit of a mess and UKPN seemed a bit clueless/confused, and others have experienced the same.

Nathan · 30 Jan 2024 at 21:18

94JDH said:
Are you looking to export 100kWh per day off 10.5kW PV array or when you've added more - if original you'd be lucky to get more than 70kWh generation on perfect days.

Nooooo, adding another 8kw to the roof. (Pending G99 increase)

Nathan · 30 Jan 2024 at 21:19

Ron-ski said:
See my build thread, linked below, I would do things slightly differently if doing it again, I wouldn't self build the batteries, there are some very built batteries available now for less money, but prices have dropped.

I got 11.6kW, but did originally apply for more, which I also got, but then equipment changed. The whole G99 things seems a bit of a mess and UKPN seemed a bit clueless/confused, and others have experienced the same.

Nice one Ron, I ll keep you posted if I’m successful.

Bomster · 30 Jan 2024 at 22:46

Ron-ski said:
See my build thread, linked below, I would do things slightly differently if doing it again, I wouldn't self build the batteries, there are some very built batteries available now for less money, but prices have dropped.

Any particular battery systems you recommend? I see a lot of people use the US5000's from PylonTech.

Ron-ski · 31 Jan 2024 at 06:35

I'm not sure exactly what I'd recommend, I'd probably use something that Andy has reviewed.

Off-Grid Garage

Taking your house, shed or garage 'off-the-grid' is a very exciting thing to do. On this channel, I share my experience and thoughts of taking my garage offline, disconnecting it from the power supply and run it solely from solar and batteries (for teaching and testing purposes). We will do a...

www.youtube.com

Pre-assembled Lithium Batteries

These ready-built Lithium batteries have a built-in BMS and can be used for Off-Grid systems as-is. No complicated wiring of BMS or crimping of terminals. This is the ideal plug-n play solution. Th…

off-grid-garage.com

or if you wanted to buy from a UK company

Solar Battery Storage | Fogstar UK

When it comes to solar battery storage, we understand that choosing the right storage solution for your solar energy is crucial, which is why we offer a range of options to suit your installation.

www.fogstar.co.uk

Nathan · 31 Jan 2024 at 07:49

I went for the Pylontech, no complaints from me. Whatever battery you do choose, ensure it’s it a suitable enclosure or a heated room, they really don’t like the cold.

200sols · 31 Jan 2024 at 08:23

b0rn2sk8 said:
Sure you saved £250 but they saved £X000 on installer margin and labour costs on their rather large system.

I've got absolutely no doubt I could have saved £x000 doing a lot of the donkey work myself for my system but I was happy to pay for someone else to do it so I didn't have to.

Same with any DIY work really. Fit a kitchen yourself and save thousands, bathroom etc. Personally roof work is not for me so I got the experts in.