Got down to using the grid for about 20 minutes this morning after the AC used it all last night with my 4% reserve battery left. If thats worse case scenario then all good!
Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?
- Thread starter GinG
- Start date
What's the deal with replacing panels? I moved into a place end of last year that has a 1kw system (was installed as part of the build around 8 years ago) which comprises four panels, there's a covenant on the property which means I can't add to them until the ten year mark but I was wondering how easy it would be to replace the existing panels with better and newer ones as it seems quite low to be getting only 1kw from four panels?, possibly not worth doing until a few years down the line when I can add to the number of panels maybe? I'm number 6 in the image, looks like I could easily double if not triple the panel count.
Is it an in-roof system? So the panels will be 250W versions, replacement with 400w or equivalent in the same space if in roof will depend on the dimensional size of the existing as the original ones could be smaller.What's the deal with replacing panels? I moved into a place end of last year that has a 1kw system (was installed as part of the build around 8 years ago) which comprises four panels, there's a covenant on the property which means I can't add to them until the ten year mark but I was wondering how easy it would be to replace the existing panels with better and newer ones as it seems quite low to be getting only 1kw from four panels?, possibly not worth doing until a few years down the line when I can add to the number of panels maybe? I'm number 6 in the image, looks like I could easily double if not triple the panel count.
Yes you could easily add more to that area.
Soldato
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I would say almost certainly not worth it.
Panels arent all the same size and shape your so your going to be limited to what would be a straight replacement.
Then there is a chance if you could get to soy of 1.6 your inverter and other components could be underspec'd anyway
You might find someone willing to do it off a ladder or possibly a tower but they shouldn't really. Otherwise install costs will 100% make that loss making.
Your probably far better just accepting the 1kw, saving and at year 10 getting a larger system and flogging the whole old system on gumtree or similar. Its likely most of what someone would need for a shed or outbuilding and should go for a few quid at 10 years old.
There is a lower level of production that even grid tied doesnt need notification, its about 1kw so it may be the grid arent even fully aware of what you have now, 1.6 is deffo above that limit.
Panels arent all the same size and shape your so your going to be limited to what would be a straight replacement.
Then there is a chance if you could get to soy of 1.6 your inverter and other components could be underspec'd anyway
You might find someone willing to do it off a ladder or possibly a tower but they shouldn't really. Otherwise install costs will 100% make that loss making.
Your probably far better just accepting the 1kw, saving and at year 10 getting a larger system and flogging the whole old system on gumtree or similar. Its likely most of what someone would need for a shed or outbuilding and should go for a few quid at 10 years old.
There is a lower level of production that even grid tied doesnt need notification, its about 1kw so it may be the grid arent even fully aware of what you have now, 1.6 is deffo above that limit.
In roof? As in part of the roofing? No, they look like standard panels fitted over the top of the tiles.
That was what I was expecting, I will revisit when the covenant passes.
Thanks both
In roof? As in part of the roofing? No, they look like standard panels fitted over the top of the tiles.
That was what I was expecting, I will revisit when the covenant passes.
Thanks both
Yes 1kw isnt a lot, and I am guessing that you probably wont see that at peak often, but I guess this time of the year if its kicking out few hundred watts during the majority of the day outside of peak, thats still something, and is covering most if not all of "tick over", it will still add up.
Yes, it definitely covers a lot, sat here right now playing pc games with a fan on and still kicking 250w to the grid, definitely helps keep the electric bills down for certain
The original owners never set them up so they were unable to be transferred over to me, am in the process of getting SEG setup but it seems to be taking forever.
Soldato
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- 25 Mar 2004
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- 15,991
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- Fareham
I'm pending install soon I think, DNO approval should be close.
My insurance have asked some questions that my installer didn't seem happy with, but not much I can do, I have to put forth the questions that my home insurance has asked for.
This is what my home insurance has asked for from solar installer:
Not sure if solar panels are even a question on a new application for home insurance, so the rules on this seem a little fishy.
My insurance have asked some questions that my installer didn't seem happy with, but not much I can do, I have to put forth the questions that my home insurance has asked for.
This is what my home insurance has asked for from solar installer:
- Public liability amount
- Contractor/ builder's insurer
- Contractor/ builder's insurance policy number
Not sure if solar panels are even a question on a new application for home insurance, so the rules on this seem a little fishy.
Soldato
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- Fareham
If your panels burn your house down and you haven't informed home insurance, there is a risk it could invalidate the home insurance afaik.
That is why I would tell them about it, not worth the risk of not telling them imo.
That is why I would tell them about it, not worth the risk of not telling them imo.
My approval will hopefully be due soon, then be able to get on with the install
I've made a decision to swap out my GivEnergy kit (inverter/batteries) for Victron gear, as I want more from it now. If all goes to plan I'll be using the V2L from the new car in the generator 240AC input on the Victron inverter to power the house, so will have a 55/70kWh battery on tap most evening/nights. It''ll be great for when the solar isn't supplying what we need, and we can charge at the cheap rates over night. Would love more panels but I'd have to build a new roof for that! It's going to be supporting a house running on full electric, no gas/oil etc. so I feel this is the right move to make.
Just had my first quote in:
Solar Panels
Jinko Solar Co., Ltd.
7.875 kW Total Solar Power
21 x 375 Watt Panels (JKM375M-6RL3-B)
6,480 kWh per year
Hybrid Inverter
GivEnergy
5 kW of Total Inverter Power
1 x GIV-HY5.0
Warranty coverage of up to 5 years extendable to 10 years
Giv-Bat9.5
1 x Giv-Bat9.5
9.5kWh of Storage
10 Year Performance Warranty
£11,606
Not heard of those Jinko panels before and 375W seems low?
Solar Panels
Jinko Solar Co., Ltd.
7.875 kW Total Solar Power
21 x 375 Watt Panels (JKM375M-6RL3-B)
6,480 kWh per year
Hybrid Inverter
GivEnergy
5 kW of Total Inverter Power
1 x GIV-HY5.0
Warranty coverage of up to 5 years extendable to 10 years
Giv-Bat9.5
1 x Giv-Bat9.5
9.5kWh of Storage
10 Year Performance Warranty
£11,606
Not heard of those Jinko panels before and 375W seems low?
Soldato
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- 21 Jul 2005
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- Officially least sunny location -Ronskistats
No that wattage seems about right although stock/supply seems to mean you may get higher watt panels just less of them. Cant comment on that panel make as I have only been reading into it for a few months.
Seems a good quote considering the demand - Jinko panels seem to have a good name, not sure if they are the latest ones though?
Off subject with regards to the inverter, apparently the gen2 3.6 is the same as the gen2 5.0 - just a software change and can be upgraded to the 5.0.