Soldato
I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Solis inverter will be G100 certified, so if required they can limit the export, if that is the case its not a problem.
Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?
- Thread starter GinG
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I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Solis inverter will be G100 certified, so if required they can limit the export, if that is the case its not a problem.
Yeah totally, a G100 inverter would also work.
The one thing I'm not clued up on is can the full output of the PV array still be used elsewhere.
Say array is pumping out 6kW and limited to 3.68kW export by the G100 inverter setup, could it still export at 3.68kW and then say power the house/charge battery with the remaining 2.3kW (for example)?
Soldato
Yes, that's the way it works, otherwise there would be no point installing a bigger system than your export limit. It purely limits the export, to do this it uses a current measuring device at the incoming grid supply, and then adjusts the inverter appropriately.
See https://blog.spiritenergy.co.uk/contractor/export-limitation
See https://blog.spiritenergy.co.uk/contractor/export-limitation
It includes the DNO application. They sort all that and we'll aware of the process involved.
Getting the feedback it's expensive but a large system with well known products and support so not OTT.
As long as they put all the DNO info in writing. Make sure the G99 (and G100 if G99 fails) is all done before work starts or you give them a load of money.
I still think it's a bit rich, not truly awful. Try haggling a bit as say £3k for the install part (less scaff) is spendy. Material costs don't seem vastly off but try and haggle these down a bit as they have some nice margin in there also.
I'm always worried these days with rogue companies wanting to pump out instals and not following the correct process to allow them to start work. Just keep yourself protected and ensure they've got permission to get going and have stock ready to go.
It's a minefield out there.
They are not entirely wrong though. Modern panels don't "need" direct sunlight. Some of the estimates I saw was that they were still 90% efficient in any orientation as long as they aren't actually under shade (i.e. trees).
My west facing string registers a few hundred watts on the inverter in the morning well before any direct sunlight is anywhere near it. Could potentially be bounceback from the neighbours wall or maybe just works a little under daylight conditions even without the direct sunlight.
East and west arrays can be great, panels are getting so good that in certain circumstances perhaps you might even get away with a north facing array, but you would be a fool to do that if you had a south facing roof available. To not consider "worry about" orientation in design is poor.
Soldato
Cant wait to see what my strings get in a regular overcast day to see the base power provision. Obviously on a cracking day the panels are going to be smashing out the watts, as they say sunny day scenario! 
Associate
Cant wait to see what my strings get in a regular overcast day to see the base power provision. Obviously on a cracking day the panels are going to be smashing out the watts, as they say sunny day scenario!
So it was chucking it down when I set off for work and each of my arrays (6 panels 340w each one SW one SE) where producing around 75w each. Then it stoped raining but still overcast then it jumped to 300w each. Easily enough to run the house.
Soldato
That's great to hear! I take it you have 12 in total? That is about the same as what Im getting. On the poor weather it was outputting circa 900w for the house, that would be awesome as I work from home and can spread out the tasks/chores/habits to make the most of it.
That's what I've gone for on two flat roof areas, it maximises the usable area (12 instead of 9, and 6 instead of 3) and gives a wider potential span of usable energy, rather than massive peaks midday. Difference in energy production is around 15% reduction for the same amount of panels as South facing, but the increase in panels improves this considerably.
Soldato
This is what my installer recommended and after researching post quotes there is evidence to back it up. You can also get more production over area by not staggering south facing arrays where you need space for shadow, a back to back E+W is better (unless angle is not needed).
Back to back is the system I'm having on the flat roof areas, Renusol FS10 E-W. Fortunately, one roof ( garage) is exactly east/west, and the other (garden room gym) is 90 degrees to that one, so this system should work nicely.
Soldato
The tech is really interesting. I thought I would be able to do it much sooner during my house build but funds ran out. However with the insane energy increase on price it just makes sense to install it if you can particularly as we wont be moving from here.
I can add a battery or off-grid later on my other roof. What would really kick this into overdrive is if the government or industry allow for residential microgeneration to claim or credit exports. I cant believe nobody has kicked off where your selling to the grid for 5p yet a neighbour is then paying a supplier 30p for that same unit.
I can add a battery or off-grid later on my other roof. What would really kick this into overdrive is if the government or industry allow for residential microgeneration to claim or credit exports. I cant believe nobody has kicked off where your selling to the grid for 5p yet a neighbour is then paying a supplier 30p for that same unit.
Soldato
Out of all the quotes I've got recently, only one picked up on this (I'm waiting on their quote) . Our garage is 6 x 6 meters, and if you put them east west they fit better with more panels than south facing.
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Man of Honour
Our latest quote, waiting to hear back from the two before we book
Soldato
I'm getting my panels done before the garden renovation gets handled for this reason, current patio can be ruined a bit and it doesn't matter!