Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?
- Thread starter GinG
- Start date
I forgot the REA panels are also on micro inverters, that’s where all the cost is.
As Ron said the Tesla unit is a hybrid inverter, you’d want to connect the panels directly to it.
I’d avoid the other nationals like Octopus, their prices are high and generally rely on people not wanting to do the legwork ringing round all the locals. Although ironically Eon subcontract to the installer that did mine in my area - I got a way better price going direct.
As Ron said the Tesla unit is a hybrid inverter, you’d want to connect the panels directly to it.
I’d avoid the other nationals like Octopus, their prices are high and generally rely on people not wanting to do the legwork ringing round all the locals. Although ironically Eon subcontract to the installer that did mine in my area - I got a way better price going direct.
I though that'd be the case
I've got a free consultation call booked in with them just to get the quote, anyway.Am I wrong to start discounting locals just based on their website saying they install an 8kw battery?
or is that being too fussy.
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Soldato
I though that'd be the case
Am I wrong to start discounting locals just based on their website saying they install an 8kw battery?
Just tell them what you want, it easier than asking for what they'll offer. If you want a PW3 with all the bells and whistles and a roof full of panels ask them to quote for that. Why mess around seeing what 'they' want to install when they'll all want something different and your requirements remain the same?
Probably yes, most of them just put on example packages on their sites.I though that'd be the case
Am I wrong to start discounting locals just based on their website saying they install an 8kw battery?
If you are interested in a Tesla Powerwall, your choice of installer is more limited though. Tesla can refer you to a local installer, I’m not sure there is a list publicly available but I’m sure they could provide one if you asked.
If you want an equivalent product, GivEnergy are launching a hybrid version of their ‘all in one’ in the new year which is essentially the same and it will probably be cheaper. The Tesla unit will be a more mature product but has less of an ecosystem around it.
You’ll be able to use both on Octopus intelligent flux in the summer.
Soldato
Try https://spectrasolar.co.uk/ they are about 20 miles away, and quite a few member's on here have used them and are happy with them.
We are in cheshire and used https://eternal-renewable-energy.co.uk/
They were amazing. See our install earlier in this thread
forums.overclockers.co.uk
They were amazing. See our install earlier in this thread
Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?
@TNA Depending how much you use/export of your generation, you may be better off moving off deemed export and getting paid for what you actually export. You will still keep the generation FIT payments. Good shout. Once I get the smart meter installed will start keeping an eye on stats. Been...
forums.overclockers.co.uk
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Can you have batteries installed indoors? One curse of being in a modestly-sized new build means we lack space to the side, front, and back all of the front is pretty much taken up with nowhere to fit a battery, the sides are a no-go as the house boundary is basically the wall, and on the rear there's probably a large enough space, however that's going to be taken up with the external unit for A/C we'll be getting fitted in a few months, not to mention the front is the south-facing side, and is where both the incoming mains and consumer units are so would mean throwing everything from the front to the back, the back to the front again 
I think we'll have to sacrifice a bit of wall space in the converted garage we have. Small benefit is that it can be fitted quite near to the consumer unit.
all of the front is pretty much taken up with nowhere to fit a battery, the sides are a no-go as the house boundary is basically the wall, and on the rear there's probably a large enough space, however that's going to be taken up with the external unit for A/C we'll be getting fitted in a few months, not to mention the front is the south-facing side, and is where both the incoming mains and consumer units are so would mean throwing everything from the front to the back, the back to the front again I think we'll have to sacrifice a bit of wall space in the converted garage we have. Small benefit is that it can be fitted quite near to the consumer unit.
Soldato
Yes you can have batteries indoors, although they have recently restricted where you can put them, places like lofts and understairs cupboards are longer permitted, some other places may also be considered not suitable.
The garage may be your best bet, or get the AC unit mounted on a wall bracket and put the batteries underneath. Garage would be better as they would be kept a little warmer in the winter, and easier wiring to the consumer unit by the sounds of.
The garage may be your best bet, or get the AC unit mounted on a wall bracket and put the batteries underneath. Garage would be better as they would be kept a little warmer in the winter, and easier wiring to the consumer unit by the sounds of.
Pretty sure this is just guidance, not regulations (yet).
Soldato
I believe you are correct, but a lot of the better firms will be working to that guidance.
To be fair I wouldn’t want to put a battery in the loft anyway, particularly these 100kg monsters that most people want these days. They are just way too heavy, you’ve got to get it up there through a loft hatch and potentially back out again once it’s dead or for warranty. No thanks!
I’m less fussed by under the stairs but I can see the logic. I certainly wouldn’t charge an ebike battery I got from a popular marketplace under the stairs!
As it's a converted garage with walls and ceiling it's kept at a normal temperature all year round
I'll also need to check if much room needs to be allowed around the unit too (i.e., how close furniture can be etc).guidance always later becomes regulation
Had a quote from the well-regarded Spectra Solar, £12k all-in for 10x Aiko Neostar 2S 455W and PW3, which seems a bit more sensible. Worth noting that the Heatable quote at £14k didn't include scaffolding costs either.
That’s a more sensible price. PW3 carries a bit of a premium but it’s a good product and you do get what you pay for.
It’s worth noting that it can be done cheaper but you’ll not be getting the same capabilities.
So closer to £15k than £14k in reality!
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Associate
Soldato
That's more like it, is your front roof south facing as per the picture you posted.
If you wanted more panels it might be worth seeing what they'd charge for doing in roof on the lower section.
Associate
They're available in 510w versions now too if you have 200mm to spare over the 455w panels.
Aiko Neostar 2S 510W N-Type ABC, 60 Cell, All Black, Gen 2
Part No: AIK-A-MAH60-510-AB-G2 Panels - Monocrystallines Rating: 510W Efficiency: 23% Width: 1,134mm Height: 1,954mm Aiko Monocrystaline N-type ABC - Neostar Gen 2 AIKO-A510-MAH60Mb AIKO’s All-Black 60-cell gen 2 panels are a result of cutting-edge technology and deliver a fantastic 23.0%...
www.powerland.co.uk