Soldato
Those panels may be smaller than larger watt ones, so getting bigger panels may mean you get less overall kW.
Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?
- Thread starter GinG
- Start date
Did you have the uprated inverter installed in the end?
Last two days after the heat of Tuesday night and getting my battery down to 4% reserve i've not been able to get it up above 70% charge due to the cloud cover. Just about got me through the night, but have had to turn the AC off for the first time in 3 weeks today to ensure i've not pulled anything from the grid
well I was out so it didn't matter, but suspect will be back to normal operations tomorrow. But another learning for the future to minimise any unneccesary pull.
Soldato
Nope, it was due last month and was delayed which kind of made my decision easier. Plus I have a buyer for my kit already, and I am making more back than I spent, so I will only be outlaying for the extra kWh for the new batteries, the rest will be covered by the Giv sale.
Last two days after the heat of Tuesday night and getting my battery down to 4% reserve i've not been able to get it up above 70% charge due to the cloud cover. Just about got me through the night, but have had to turn the AC off for the first time in 3 weeks today to ensure i've not pulled anything from the grid
Having AC seems like a great idea, but I don't think I could justify it as I quite enjoy the heat.
Soldato
Yea looks pretty good.
Soldato
Any update on the inverter @BUDFORCE ?
Soldato
I may well have done, will need to check policy etc.
Soldato
I don't remember being asked about it for a new home insurance application, so it seems a bit weird, if I apply for a new provider I'm not even sure if it will come up as a question.
Soldato
I completed one recently and it wasnt something I recall being asked.
Soldato
I changed provider last year, but as I'll be installing a new array I need to check.
Soldato
So if current one has an issue with it I guess I can just get it done, then switch to a new provider where they don't even ask about it.
Lying on an application is bad, but if it's not a question they ask me, and it was installed prior to switching to a new provider, I don't believe I am duty bound to inform the new one.
From my perspective this is one of the reasons I would go with an MCS accredited installer, if any problems arise in the future I'd have evidence to back up that I used a properly qualified installer and have the MCS certificate to confirm it.
Soldato
I think the issue is if you have added panels and a system of notable value and you haven't adjusted your buildings insurance they may deem it to be underinsured and hence any claim could be knocked back (not cancelled but reduced pro rata to the new value of house vs previous value of house)
Thats why typically when you do anything of notable value you check with them that it will be reflected in your premium and insured values.
They are I believe typically buildings and not contents cover, but it could vary insurer by insurer so you would need to check your insurers details, even more of an issue if you have buildings and contents elsewhere (quite unusual now you aren't basically forced to take buildings from your mortgage provider)
Thats why typically when you do anything of notable value you check with them that it will be reflected in your premium and insured values.
They are I believe typically buildings and not contents cover, but it could vary insurer by insurer so you would need to check your insurers details, even more of an issue if you have buildings and contents elsewhere (quite unusual now you aren't basically forced to take buildings from your mortgage provider)
Soldato
Maybe it will be a criteria they start to ask in the future. As with any major electrical work this is why you get a competent person who is qualified to sign it off. If you can prove the works and keep the certs then the insurers have to stand over something. Are there any statistics to go by where domestic fires have been caused by solar installation equipment? I get the insurers try to get out of paying for anything if they can but sometimes you have to apply reason and justify the monthly fee is to actually insure the building..
Soldato
All fair points chaps, I've asked the installer for whatever the home insurance people wanted, but that is mainly to satisfy their questions.
Hopefully can smooth it over and get my insurer on board without trying to charge me extra, will see!
Hopefully can smooth it over and get my insurer on board without trying to charge me extra, will see!
Soldato
No not yet, he said he would call Monday if nothing has arrived.
Getting a taste of winter today, the first since my install went in, had an hour or so generating under 100W when it was really dark earlier, brightened up a bit now and up to 1.2kw, batteries have been keeping us going even during the day, but slowly topping them up and getting enough in them to last overnight.
Having a think about my solar fault, I don't think my cleaning aligns with the output dropping/string difference but......
I missed a few bits ok some panels, would the tigo optimisers pick this up as a shadow?!
I'm wondering whether to clean them again and get the missed bits and see how it goes, as I need to clean them better anyway!
I missed a few bits ok some panels, would the tigo optimisers pick this up as a shadow?!
I'm wondering whether to clean them again and get the missed bits and see how it goes, as I need to clean them better anyway!
Associate
I've decided to start my solar journey and have been busy getting some quotes over the last few days and I wondered what peoples thoughts are? I use about 3400kwh per year with a resonable amount being used during the day as I have two small children with the wife currently being on maternity leave and only working part time when at work. I work full time out of the house but am starting to do a bit more home working as well.
The quotes I've had are for the below, non include bird proofing but I've found a specialist company who will do this instead for £450 for me which I think is reasonable so all the quotes below dont include it.
Quote 1
12 * J.A. 370w Panels (4.44kW)
Solax 5.8kWh Battery
Solis 4Kw Hybrid Inverter
£10,455.14
Quote 2
12 * Trina 385w Panels (4.62kW)
Foxess LV 5.2kWh Battery
Solis 3.68Kw Hybrid Inverter
£10,200.00
Quote 3
This is E.On so the panels / inverter I dont specifically know, but its 12 panels coming out at 4.68Kw and a much smaller 2.6kWh battery.
£10,801.00
I think I've pretty much discounted the E.on quote with it being the most expensive and a tiny battery comapred to the others. My favourtie is probably quote 1 despite being slightly smaller panels and a smidge more expensive, I think the bigger battery and better inverter will be better for me but I'd be curious to know others thoughts.
The quotes I've had are for the below, non include bird proofing but I've found a specialist company who will do this instead for £450 for me which I think is reasonable so all the quotes below dont include it.
Quote 1
12 * J.A. 370w Panels (4.44kW)
Solax 5.8kWh Battery
Solis 4Kw Hybrid Inverter
£10,455.14
Quote 2
12 * Trina 385w Panels (4.62kW)
Foxess LV 5.2kWh Battery
Solis 3.68Kw Hybrid Inverter
£10,200.00
Quote 3
This is E.On so the panels / inverter I dont specifically know, but its 12 panels coming out at 4.68Kw and a much smaller 2.6kWh battery.
£10,801.00
I think I've pretty much discounted the E.on quote with it being the most expensive and a tiny battery comapred to the others. My favourtie is probably quote 1 despite being slightly smaller panels and a smidge more expensive, I think the bigger battery and better inverter will be better for me but I'd be curious to know others thoughts.
Soldato
So your panels will generate more than your inverter can handle?
Seems a bit inefficient, I bet it's 3.6 so they don't have to do the DNO paperwork. I'd avoid number 2 personally, these are different companies?
But also remember some do this to ensure maximum generation when it's too hot or towards the spring and autumn
Associate
Yep, correct, I think all of them are within the lower level of certification ot avoid having to deal with the DNO as you've mentioned. It does seem common to slightly oversize your panels versus your inverter as its an increadibly rare day when your panels will be running at 100% efficiency for any length of time, though its one of the reasons I dont like quote 2 as much as quote 1. With option 1 the only time my generation would exceed what the inverter can handle is when they are running beyond 90% efficiency and I imagine that will be a rare day!
You are correct all 3 are different companies.
You are correct all 3 are different companies.