Soldato
I hadn't even considered phases. I think my curiosity is getting a little bit beyond being easily sated. I think I will give up
Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?
- Thread starter GinG
- Start date
I hadn't even considered phases. I think my curiosity is getting a little bit beyond being easily sated. I think I will give up
Soldato
Anyone ever updated the firmware on a givenergy AC coupled battery/inverter?
I don't think ours ever got updated and apparently the more up to date firmware improves reactivity, which it could do with.
Just wondering if there is anything to watch for/risks etc?
I don't think ours ever got updated and apparently the more up to date firmware improves reactivity, which it could do with.
Just wondering if there is anything to watch for/risks etc?
Soldato
Yes, it is down to what the networks accept as their "approved" inverters if you like and I am exploring what is actually going on here. I have no bother overspeccing my system and clipping if there is a simple limiter governing the grid export. All you need to know is what the DNO is going to stand over in case a problem with the system happens and they don't point the finger at the guy exporting solar. So far the 3.6 is the safe covers everything scenario but the more people interested and willing to invest in the scene opens up the question is well how much can my local system manage and set it to that level. I know the DNO's dont really want the voltage headache, nor do they want to upgrade any infrastructure.. but they have had many decades of assets like other industries where its been neglected and investing in the upgrades will have to happen eventually anyway.
It will re-calibrate the battery by emptying itself and charging back up to 100% so if you have a time of use tariff, time it accordingly.
Soldato
I've haven't noticed anything, and squeaking would suggest something is moving/flexing.
Last edited:
nope
i'd be concerned though if there was. either the roof is flexing under the load or the array wasn't tightly installed?
Only noticed it yesterday and today, panels been up since april without noise previous but been really gusty last few days
8 on the back (no noise)
10 on the front (Squeek)
8 on the back (no noise)
10 on the front (Squeek)
Last edited:
Got a quote to add some backup circuits (low power) to the GivEnergy system.
From what I gather, it's moving two circuits into a new consumer box, fed by the inverter which, in event of a power cut, flips to battery operation.
£600 including install of a new earth spike.
Not sure I can justify that at the moment but some power cut redundancy would be good...
From what I gather, it's moving two circuits into a new consumer box, fed by the inverter which, in event of a power cut, flips to battery operation.
£600 including install of a new earth spike.
Not sure I can justify that at the moment but some power cut redundancy would be good...
Last edited:
No nothing like that, sounds like something isn't fully tightened down somewhere.Only noticed it yesterday and today, panels been up since april without noise previous but been really gusty last few days
8 on the back (no noise)
10 on the front (Squeek)
We do get a few creaks from the rafters from the wind pressure on the roof but we did did before the solar went up.
Soldato
It would be a good idea to get it checked out.
Last edited:
Not worth it IMO, although I'd be tempted to do it myself if GivEnergy wasn't locked down behind an installer paywall.
Soldato
What is your inverter capable of outputting on those circuits? I ask because mine can do 6kW so I had a changeover panel wired up instead and my whole CU is fed from that. In the event of a power cut I just switch it over and the house is back online. Obviously that does mean there is going to be an interruption but I have all the important stuff on a UPS anyway so that's fine. It also means I can do things like isolate the shower and oven circuits before it cuts over so that I don't accidentally draw too much power from the batteries. Putting all of this in, inc the run of the extra 20m of SWA etc cost me £550 in total.
If it can only do a few hundred watts or something I am not sure I would bother personally, I'd just put a double socket somewhere near the inverter so you can charge your phones or perhaps run an extension to the fridge/freezer if needed.
Hi All, I'm looking for an installer in the Leeds/Bradford area. I've looked at https://spectrasolar.co.uk/ at their gold package. I'm quite a heavy Electricity , user, with about KW per day. I also have a small electric quadracycle (renault Twizy) with a 7.k KW battery. It doesn't ket used in winter, only summer.
Do you think the gold package would be adequate? And has anyone used them? Thank you in advance
Do you think the gold package would be adequate? And has anyone used them? Thank you in advance
Soldato
Get them to quote to fit as many panels as you can, east all the way round to even north west, more panels the better, and a bigger inverter and battery might be better as well.
The packages are representative of what you can get. Ideally you want to fit as many panels as you can fit on your roof as most of the cost is in the installation, panels themselves are only £70 each at wholesale, potentially even less.
Call them and get a proper quote, quite a few have had installs from them on here and will chime in with their experience.
Battery storage you need to size to your expected usage but yeh, solar, just max it out.
Call them and get a proper quote, quite a few have had installs from them on here and will chime in with their experience.
Battery storage you need to size to your expected usage but yeh, solar, just max it out.