Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?

[Welshman]

Just had a chat with solar company locally. im going to provide them with locations for the new inverter, they will come and fit and provide a G100 for the export limitation so we are not fixed to a 4.6 inverter. So can go slightly bigger and then i dont need to worry about finding a leccy locally to work with me , as the all seem to be scared of solar around these parts.

Wont be fitted until around jan/feb time though.

 

[Ron-ski]

You have to very lucky to find one who isn't scared of solar.

 

[gpuerrilla]

Really? Why are they scared of solar?

 

[Ron-ski]

It's something different, something they've not done, and don't understand it or the regulations. And if you've got plenty of you're usual work why move out of your comfort zone, also most people looking for an electrician to do solar are also diy'ing some of it, so another reason not to get involved.

 

[200sols]

Really? Why are they scared of solar?

I think its what Ron says above, many wont touch it when there is DIY work involved.

 

[gpuerrilla]

Ahh ok so the times when the installer has not wired it themselves. I thought you were referring to the DC equipment which seemed to be almost flat pack assemble kits these days hardly requiring much effort.

 

[Welshman]

As ron says above, good thing is, im removing the diy part in december anyway so that i can build the new shed. Then it will be a lot easier for me to wire the new panels, as i wont need to go up into the loft. As its all going to be fitted on the back wall of the house in this area, under the roof. Plenty of room for batteries to be added at a later date, if we so require.

It will go on the left wall just past the TV……yes this outside too with a sky box for summer viewing

 

[Ron-ski]

Ahh ok so the times when the installer has not wired it themselves.

Time's when a solar installer is not used, solar installers generally want to do the complete install, and nothing less.

 

[fraseredwards]

Looking at solar and been getting a few quotes.

Glowgreen via the online checkers and money saving expert (Duracell battery system DGMEG panels)

Octopus (hard selling micro inverter systems or a power wall 3 offering JA panels)

Then a couple of more local firms, both quoting the Sigenergy system. This sigenstor system looks pretty attractive and lots of interesting aspects Inc a true UPS for the whole property.

Solar Panels
Aiko Energy
17.745 kW Total Solar Power
Up to 39 x 455 Watt Panels
12,890 kWh per year

Sigen Energy Controller Single Phase
10 kW of Inverter Power
Sigenergy 1 x SigenStor EC 10.0SP

Sigen Battery with LED
16.12kWh of Battery Storage
2 x SigenStor BAT 8.0 (single phase system)

1 x Sigenergy Sigenstor Gateway HomeMax Single Phase (the UPS)

We use about 12500 kWh per year, so this would offset our annual usage so payback seems quite quick.

1st local and more established firm most expensive, over 20% more for only 26 panels.

2nd local firm at 18k for the above spec

Octopus 16k for 22 panels and the power wall

Glowgreen 11k to 12k 22 panel system, Fox and or Duracell battery system.

Other factors : Partner not so keen on the look of panels on the house, but reckon we might be able to get a good balance.

Welcome any comments or observations.

 

[Journey]

Sigen Battery with LED
16.12kWh of Battery Storage
2 x SigenStor BAT 8.0 (single phase system)

We use about 12500 kWh per year, so this would offset our annual usage so payback seems quite quick.

1st local and more established firm most expensive, over 20% more for only 26 panels.

2nd local firm at 18k for the above spec

It's £7,200 (ex. VAT) for "2x SigenStor 8kWh Battery + SigenStor 6.0kW Hybrid Inverter + 16xJA Solar 460W Solar Panel" - So you are paying £10k for a bump to the 10kW inverter, and 10 more panels, and the install.

Unless I read it wrong. If you can fit almost 40 panels, and don't mind the outlay go for the 40 panels, and rake in the export in the summer, and in the winter you'll still be running mostly off solar.

 

[fraseredwards]

It's £7,200 (ex. VAT) for "2x SigenStor 8kWh Battery + SigenStor 6.0kW Hybrid Inverter + 16xJA Solar 460W Solar Panel" - So you are paying £10k for a bump to the 10kW inverter, and 10 more panels, and the install.

Unless I read it wrong. If you can fit almost 40 panels, and don't mind the outlay go for the 40 panels, and rake in the export in the summer, and in the winter you'll still be running mostly off solar.

thanks for the reply, forgot the gateway UPS which is another grand nearly.

so yes looks on a quick tot up approx 12k for the kit

then 6k for remainder which is
bird mesh
scaffold
rail system
install labour

39 panels would be a lot, and I have my doubts that many in reality will get on, but wont be far off. the panels are low cost, so leaning towards getting on as many as possible to avoid scaling up costs down the road.

oooer what will the neighbours think

 

[b0rn2sk8]

39 panels is one hell of a system but 12500kwh is also one hell of an electricity bill.

£18k for a 39 panel system plus a Sigen battery (which is an expensive system) doesn’t seem unreasonable, it’s expensive but not that expensive. I’m assuming those 39 panels are spread across multiple roofs.

The general rule is to put on as many panels as can fit because the fixed installation cost makes up most of the costs.

Where are you located?

It's £7,200 (ex. VAT) for "2x SigenStor 8kWh Battery + SigenStor 6.0kW Hybrid Inverter + 16xJA Solar 460W Solar Panel" - So you are paying £10k for a bump to the 10kW inverter, and 10 more panels, and the install.

Sort of, if it’s the same place I saw, it doesn’t come with the gateway and no doubt a bunch of other other accessories you need to fit it. Once you add that in, another 23 solar panels, rail systems, cabling, sundry items and installation across multiple roofs, £18k doesn’t look unreasonable.

Edit: Duracell is a rebranded Chineese system for the U.K. market - Puredrive I think.

 

[fraseredwards]

39 panels is one hell of a system but 12500kwh is also one hell of an electricity bill.

£18k for a 39 panel system plus a Sigen battery (which is an expensive system) doesn’t seem unreasonable, it’s expensive but not that expensive. I’m assuming those 39 panels are spread across multiple roofs.

The general rule is to put on as many panels as can fit because the fixed installation cost makes up most of the costs.

Where are you located?

it is what Octopus say we use... on the Octopus Go tariff, so the battery would be charged up over night, ideally for daytime usage
lol, multiple freezers, work from home mainly, an EV, two kids, lots of computers running, 2 fibre lines and home cat6 network in operation, multiple security cameras, network devices etc, oh and a hot tub for half the year

in Cheshire.

 

[tamzzy]

lol, multiple freezers, work from home mainly, an EV, two kids, lots of computers running, 2 fibre lines in operation, multiple security cameras, oh and a hot tub for half the year

is that code for a weed farm?

 

[fraseredwards]

is that code for a weed farm?

lol, gone are those days

 

[b0rn2sk8]

it is what Octopus say we use...
lol, multiple freezers, work from home mainly, an EV, two kids, lots of computers running, 2 fibre lines in operation, multiple security cameras, oh and a hot tub for half the year

in Cheshire.

Gas?

Even with an EV it’s a lot but if you can fit 39 panels on your house, it’s very clearly large and probably has a lot of gear in it. It’s probably the cumulative impact of lots of small things running but the hot be will be a killer and EV of course.

We’re fully electric, heat pump, single EV (no ICE cars) and use about 8000kwh/year but there is only two of us and we don’t have 2 cars.

In any case, the purpose of asking where you are was to see if anyone here can suggest any other local installers and for any ‘down south’ tax.

 

[fraseredwards]

Gas?

Even with an EV it’s a lot but if you can fit 39 panels on your house, it’s very clearly large and probably has a lot of gear in it. It’s probably the cumulative impact of lots of small things running but the hot be will be a killer and EV of course.

We’re fully electric, heat pump, single EV (no ICE cars) and use about 8000kwh/year but there is only two of us and we don’t have 2 cars.

In any case, the purpose of asking where you are was to see if anyone here can suggest any other local installers and for any ‘down south’ tax.

Thanks. Yes on gas central heating too.
For the electric heated bathroom floors too.

LEDs throughout, heat pump dryer, washing machine on twice or at least once a day.

Agree, probably the sum of all that, direct debit is 450 a month.

Anyway, very much appreciate the quick looks. We do try to move our usage, but clearly must double our efforts.

 

[Ron-ski]

Partner not so keen on the look of panels on the house, but reckon we might be able to get a good balance.

How long does the wife spend looking at the roof?

If you want to spend more you can go in roof for a really good look, or you can get a solar skirt which looks better, but can make the panels a bit warmer which reduces generation.

We had a system installed in 2015, its just part of the house now, then 12 panels on a double garage in Feb 2023, now I've put just 12 panels on another roof and three across the rear wall of the house. The wife took a bit of convincing about the three across the rear of the house, but they are now up, and look quite smart. That takes our system total to 15.5kWp and 43 panels in total.

Last year it completely covered our gas and electric bill, and we even had £400 profit, this year I'm currently about £300 in profit, but we've got the worse months to come.

Ronski's Solar & battery DIY build with whole house backup

Time to get jealous - see this post as you must have missed it, you've got some catching up to do :D Love it!!! Have you reached solar maximum yet?! There can't be many inches left not covered by panels?? I'll be able to use my new smart telescope to give you early heads up of sun spots...

forums.overclockers.co.uk

 

[fraseredwards]

How long does the wife spend looking at the roof?

If you want to spend more you can go in roof for a really good look, or you can get a solar skirt which looks better, but can make the panels a bit warmer which reduces generation.

We had a system installed in 2015, its just part of the house now, then 12 panels on a double garage in Feb 2023, now I've put just 12 panels on another roof and three across the rear wall of the house. The wife took a bit of convincing about the three across the rear of the house, but they are now up, and look quite smart. That takes our system total to 15.5kWp and 43 panels in total.

Last year it completely covered our gas and electric bill, and we even had £400 profit, this year I'm currently about £300 in profit, but we've got the worse months to come.

Ronski's Solar & battery DIY build with whole house backup

Time to get jealous - see this post as you must have missed it, you've got some catching up to do :D Love it!!! Have you reached solar maximum yet?! There can't be many inches left not covered by panels?? I'll be able to use my new smart telescope to give you early heads up of sun spots...

forums.overclockers.co.uk

nice, thanks for sharing your posts. inspiring and really useful on the figs. Are they as expected from original estimates?

 

[Ron-ski]

nice, thanks for sharing your posts. inspiring and really useful on the figs. Are they as expected from original estimates?

The original system has exceeded estimates, but I never did estimates for the garage system (will when I get around to it), and too early to tell with the latest panels.