Presume I can get an MCS just to do the hook-up though? Or will they be funny about that?
That was discussed but I wouldn't be charging batts and solar at the same time I don't think?
Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?
- Thread starter GinG
- Start date
Soldato
MCS covers the panels and the mounting system, needs to be done by qualifies mcs installer. I mean octopus are allowing non MCS, but its at a cost and only in testing format at the moment.
i just dont see why they offering an inverter thats 5kw bigger than the panel system in that case.
I think most on here have an MCS installed system and then added to it via DIY options afterwards.
Last edited:
Soldato
That’s just the inverter that comes with the PW3, it’s part of the battery system.
It’s beast as it has loads of MPPT outputs so really expandable and obviously discharges at a super high rate when the house demands it.
Soldato
still doesnt make sense with the offer of 6kw of panels and probably no future expansion as hes putting on his shed roof and not the house roof as it is.
Soldato
priced not to get the work lol
It does make sense you just have not looked up the spec of the PW3. It has an integrated inverter rated between 3.68 and 11kw.
Soldato
why would you want an 11kw inverter, but only 6kw of panels...... your not using the system to the best of its ability, possibly no panel upgrade optiosn due to using the shed, so probably a waste of a few thousand buying something to not be fully utilised.
unless you charge the batteries on cheap over night electric and exporting the excess, which he cant do without the costly non mcs octopus option, if they still do it.
ps - if he has further expansion optiosn, then it may be a good option, but still at 22k, its over priced paper weight
Soldato
Cost of the tesla power wall 3 - The overall investment for a Tesla Powerwall 3 installation is tailored to your unique requirements but starts at £6,995 through Heatable (we are Tesla Certified Premium Installers too).
14 panels are circa 60 bucks each - £840
so say thats powerwall and panels at 8K..... whats the other 14k for??
14 panels are circa 60 bucks each - £840
so say thats powerwall and panels at 8K..... whats the other 14k for??
Soldato
Yeah, I agree really overpriced but the PW3 is the best on the market. Spec wise is good, price is terrible.
If you want to keep costs down do what I did. Install the 14 panels at less than 1k on your roof. Get an electrician to fit a circa 6kw inverter with a battery that suites your needs (mine was 4 x pylontechs and a 6kw Solis at around 5k plus labour)
Sign up to octopus and send off your certificates the electrician gives you and pay £250 payment to jump on their none MCS scheme. Then you re on the export tariff
It is the cheapest way.
I wish the PW3 was available when I specced mine out, I would have chosen it without doubt.
If you want to keep costs down do what I did. Install the 14 panels at less than 1k on your roof. Get an electrician to fit a circa 6kw inverter with a battery that suites your needs (mine was 4 x pylontechs and a 6kw Solis at around 5k plus labour)
Sign up to octopus and send off your certificates the electrician gives you and pay £250 payment to jump on their none MCS scheme. Then you re on the export tariff
It is the cheapest way.
I wish the PW3 was available when I specced mine out, I would have chosen it without doubt.
Last edited:
Its designed like that, to be scaleable for any solar array. You also have several other advantages like increased battery charge/discharge rates vs the solar array size.
It’s a hybrid inverter, the integrated battery can also charge/discharge at 11kw. They make one SKU with one inverter size focused around maximising the battery output.
As for the price, absolutely insane. A standalone powerwall 3 install with gateway is about £8k.
Soldato
Yeah, I agree really overpriced but the PW3 is the best on the market. Spec wise is good, price is terrible.
If you want to keep costs down do what I did. Install the 14 panels at less than 1k on your roof. Get an electrician to fit a circa 6kw inverter with a battery that suites your needs (mine was 4 x pylontechs and a 6kw Solis at around 5k plus labour)
Sign up to octopus and send off your certificates the electrician gives you and pay £250 payment to jump on their none MCS scheme. Then you re on the export tariff
It is the cheapest way.
I wish the PW3 was available when I specced mine out, I would have chosen it without doubt.
As per above.Really the PW3 is overkill for the above, you could get a Victron inverter, and a 15 kWh battery for less. But for simplicity it's probably one of the best.
Perhaps this is the way to do it, get just the PW3 installed via an MCS installer, then once all done, add the panels, but I've no idea if an end user can configure the PV, or even if its required to, may be plug and play.
The Octopus trial is not a waste of money if accepted, it's just not clear exactly what's required.
Soldato
i agree it works that way, im just not convinced that dlockers needs it and has the potential to upgrade his PV to get best use out of it.
Soldato
i knew someone had gone the octopus non MCS route, just wasnt sure it was lolYeah, I agree really overpriced but the PW3 is the best on the market. Spec wise is good, price is terrible.
If you want to keep costs down do what I did. Install the 14 panels at less than 1k on your roof. Get an electrician to fit a circa 6kw inverter with a battery that suites your needs (mine was 4 x pylontechs and a 6kw Solis at around 5k plus labour)
Sign up to octopus and send off your certificates the electrician gives you and pay £250 payment to jump on their none MCS scheme. Then you re on the export tariff
It is the cheapest way.
I wish the PW3 was available when I specced mine out, I would have chosen it without doubt.
Soldato
Lets simplify it..... 14 panels 6.2k PV, buy a 6kw inverter circa 1k. Thats 2k so far, add an electrician for the day and DIY install the panels ( lets say 3k for all that ) and your probably looking at around 5k all in. then add battery on top if needed.
get the right inverter and you can fit the fogstar 15kw battery for 2.5k i think....so around 7.5k all done. saving circa 15k over the tesla system
get the right inverter and you can fit the fogstar 15kw battery for 2.5k i think....so around 7.5k all done. saving circa 15k over the tesla system
Last edited:
just had my install completed finally, think I have ended up with cowboy contractors that did it though they have made a mess of my roof tiles.Jinko 440w x8, FoxESS S3000
It was done under eco4 so I didnt really have much choice or say in the system. Hand over was crap though they never explained anything, they just vanished leaving the scaffolders to remove the scaffolding. One of them mentioned they dont set you up with a monitoring app or anything as it caused them too many call backs. Hoping I can get the wifi dongle to plug into the inverter or get someone to do it for me.
Soldato
surprised the dongle didnt come with the fox inverter....mine did
Jinko 440w x8, FoxESS S3000
It was done under eco4 so I didnt really have much choice or say in the system. Hand over was crap though they never explained anything, they just vanished leaving the scaffolders to remove the scaffolding. One of them mentioned they dont set you up with a monitoring app or anything as it caused them too many call backs. Hoping I can get the wifi dongle to plug into the inverter or get someone to do it for me.
Where did you buy your gear from?
I am a bit unnecessarily apprehensive about the panel job, as I don't understand the fixings and dimensions etc.
I have a fixed span of joists I must screw into, and replace the rubbers along the way. I think I am going to struggle without scaffolding but might end up constructing a platform or something to save cost.
I was hoping to get a bit more info from the quote to take elsewhere; but really need someone to talk me through mounting etc.
Soldato
City plumbing supplies have everything you need for a full diy install…….