Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?

gpuerrilla · 25 Jul 2022 at 19:14

Yep oversized slightly here too.

Journey · 25 Jul 2022 at 19:16

BinnsY said:
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.

I find it best if you ask how much the battery is adding to the cost. You can always have one added later, sometimes the 20% VAT is worth the saving the are adding to the cost. I saw one quote where they had added on £4.1k for a battery, whilst using a hybrid inverter still, and buying the pack and having it fitted would have cost £2.5k, that's with VAT. Seems like people are not doing their sums properly sometimes, and companies are taking advantage of this.

BinnsY · 25 Jul 2022 at 19:33

Yep, the solax battery on quote 2 is about £4400 of the total price. The battery alone is £2750 to buy when you include the VAT so I didn't think this seemed terrible to me?

Neither of the other quotes i have are itemised to that extent so I can't easily tell.

One other thing I've realised as well is that it looks like its increadibly simple to add a slave battery pack onto the Solax essentially doubleing it's capcity for only another £2500 at todays prices, that's likely something I would take advantge of in a few years as they come down in price.

SoliD · 25 Jul 2022 at 20:00

BinnsY said:
Yep, the solax battery on quote 2 is about £4400 of the total price. The battery alone is £2750 to buy when you include the VAT so I didn't think this seemed terrible to me?

Neither of the other quotes i have are itemised to that extent so I can't easily tell.

One other thing I've realised as well is that it looks like its increadibly simple to add a slave battery pack onto the Solax essentially doubleing it's capcity for only another £2500 at todays prices, that's likely something I would take advantge of in a few years as they come down in price.

1700 quid to plug if in seems good value?

Journey · 25 Jul 2022 at 20:00

BinnsY said:
The battery alone is £2750 to buy when you include the VAT so I didn't think this seemed terrible to me?

You can buy them for £2.2k inc. VAT.

BinnsY · 25 Jul 2022 at 20:17

SoliD said:
1700 quid to plug if in seems good value?

Is it that simple though? I'd need the labour etc of running the wiring from wherever the inverter is located to where the battery is going to be and all the commissioning etc of it. Do you have a link to a company that would supply and install this battery as a retrofit for significantlly less than the £4400 I'm being quoted? I'd be intrigued if so?

Journey said:
You can buy them for £2.2k inc. VAT.

Do you have a link? I can't find any evidence to support this at all? Even the add on slave battery of the same amount is coming in at £2400

Solax Triple Power 5.8kW Solar Slave Battery

For over a decade, SolaX Power has developed renewable energy products for installers across the world. SolaX Power strive to lead the way in the renewable energy revolution and provide a large commitment to research and development. <o:p></o:p> <p...

www.tradesparky.com

The main unit is £2760 here

Solax Triple Power 5.8kW Solar Master Battery

For over a decade, SolaX Power has developed renewable energy products for installers across the world. SolaX Power strive to lead the way in the renewable energy revolution and provide a large commitment to research and development. <o:p></o:p> <p...

www.tradesparky.com

£2700 here

SolaX Triple Power HV 5.8kWh LFP Main Battery MASTER £2,261+vat – ITS Technologies

The SolaX Power product range continues to evolve, and in response to growing demand for an AC-coupled alternative, SolaX Power successfully launched the X1-AC-FIT in 2017. This high-voltage charge controller offers maximum flexibility and unrivalled performance; with outstanding round-trip...

www.itstechnologies.shop

and £3200 here

SolaX Triple Power HV 5.8kWh LFP Main Battery MASTER - V2

Solax Triple Power LFP Main Battery (Master) | Available as Master Battery 5.8kWh and a Slave Battery 5.8kWh | Easy Installation | Shop from £2.056 →

batteryfactory.co.uk

I cant see it anywhere for even close to your quote?

BUDFORCE · 25 Jul 2022 at 20:18

@BinnsY

To be fair those quotes are in line with what we were quoted with battery (we decided against a battery) but seems to be about the going rate.

Journey · 25 Jul 2022 at 20:29

BinnsY said:
Do you have a link? I can't find any evidence to support this at all? Even the add on slave battery of the same amount is coming in at £2400

Apologies the price seems to have gone up since the start of July they are now £2,150 + VAT, they were around £1,900 + VAT, from Solen. Certainly not great value these days sadly due to demand, but you need to weigh up your options.

BinnsY · 25 Jul 2022 at 20:36

Journey said:
Apologies the price seems to have gone up since the start of July they are now £2,150 + VAT, they were around £1,900 + VAT, from Solen. Certainly not great value these days sadly due to demand, but you need to weigh up your options.

That would make more sense an is the sort of suggestions I'm getting in things like the facebook solar groups etc as well. Suggestions that the whole market have gone up 20-30% over the last few months seem to be common. Whilst I've thought of sitting back my fixed rate ends in September 23, and given the upcoming rise on energy in October my gut is telling me that demand for solar is only going to go up rather than down, and I'm hedging my bets that install costs are going to go up with them as well simply due to supply and demand.

In short, whilst it would have been better for me to do this 6-12 months ago, I can't help but feel that doing it today is going to be better than in another 6-12 months!

Journey · 25 Jul 2022 at 20:43

BinnsY said:
In short, whilst it would have been better for me to do this 6-12 months ago, I can't help but feel that doing it today is going to be better than in another 6-12 months!

Yeah, totally agree. Cost of borrowing is also going up, so perhaps demand will be curtailed somewhat as well.

BUDFORCE · 26 Jul 2022 at 07:04

BinnsY said:
That would make more sense an is the sort of suggestions I'm getting in things like the facebook solar groups etc as well. Suggestions that the whole market have gone up 20-30% over the last few months seem to be common. Whilst I've thought of sitting back my fixed rate ends in September 23, and given the upcoming rise on energy in October my gut is telling me that demand for solar is only going to go up rather than down, and I'm hedging my bets that install costs are going to go up with them as well simply due to supply and demand.

In short, whilst it would have been better for me to do this 6-12 months ago, I can't help but feel that doing it today is going to be better than in another 6-12 months!

Yea basically had the same thought.

The other problem I had is because demand is so high installers are busy. Basically my first choice installers around here were all fully booked, for like a year.

So I struggled to find an installer in the first place.

And like you, you think you could leave it, what 12 months, but in 12 months time you might have saved yourself £600 already, and the install costs may be higher, you might be £1000 down etc.

SBo · 26 Jul 2022 at 08:24

My install cost me £11k in May. SolarTogether Buckinghamshire just quoted me £17k for the same as part of the community install :rolleyes:

gpuerrilla · 26 Jul 2022 at 08:42

BUDFORCE said:
Yea basically had the same thought.

The other problem I had is because demand is so high installers are busy. Basically my first choice installers around here were all fully booked, for like a year.

So I struggled to find an installer in the first place.

And like you, you think you could leave it, what 12 months, but in 12 months time you might have saved yourself £600 already, and the install costs may be higher, you might be £1000 down etc.

Agree, I took time getting in the quotes and surveys knowing it was dragging out the system install time. This was before most got wind of it and still by the time I actioned it I have seen/heard the install companies now having issues either with some stock or just do not have the resources to cope with the interest. The final addition to your comment is also the weather - the best time is to capitalise on the spring/summer periods and unfortunately some will be receiving in the winter if there is a backlog/queue.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 26 Jul 2022 at 09:15

I've been trying to get quotes, very difficult they are swamped.

There is a lot you cannot predict with solar so delaying assuming the prices will drop is just as likely to see them up again (global inflation), potentially even more demand
Eventually of course demand will drop, but that could take years

BUDFORCE · 26 Jul 2022 at 11:18

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
I've been trying to get quotes, very difficult they are swamped.

There is a lot you cannot predict with solar so delaying assuming the prices will drop is just as likely to see them up again (global inflation), potentially even more demand
Eventually of course demand will drop, but that could take years

Yup exactly.

Wish we had done it 12 months ago to be honest.

We got in there just at the start of the rush, but even so, reckon we would have got a better deal/installer/system 12 months ago.

Gotta watch cowboys getting on the action as well.

Freefaller · 26 Jul 2022 at 11:19

I think I'm going to pull the trigger for 12k

16 Trina Vertex S 400W Black Framed Mono (white backsheet) solarp panel
Solis 6kW 5G Dual MPPT Inverter inverter
Giv.AC3.0 inverter
Emlite ECA2 extended cover
Label sheet
GivEnergy EM115 Meter with CT Clamp
GivEnergy WiFi Dongle
AC isolator - KN 25A 3-pole
Pair of MC4 connectors
AC isolator - KN Newbury 20A 4-pole
G2 GivEnergy 9.5kWh LiFePO4 Battery (integrated DC breaker)

Any major issues with the above?

BUDFORCE · 26 Jul 2022 at 12:41

@Freefaller

Looks okay to me, in the current market that is about going rate. That'll be a good system.

Freefaller · 26 Jul 2022 at 12:50

BUDFORCE said:
@Freefaller

Looks okay to me, in the current market that is about going rate. That'll be a good system.

Perfect thank you. We have a South facing roof with enough for 16 panels. 31 degree pitch so should be pretty good. No shading either.

We can always add more battery storage later if we need it.

HungryHippos · 27 Jul 2022 at 09:38

Solar install scheduled for about a month away apparently, exciting!

Andrew Moore · 27 Jul 2022 at 10:13

@Freefaller who is the quote with? It’s a panel more than my current quote and slightly less on battery but all the same brands.

Inverter is 3.6kw for my quote but the batteries are a pair of 5.2s giving 10.4kwh.

Price sits at a nudge over £12k so my thinking is to give the company you spoke to a call to see what they can do and where I sit as I’d like the facility to sell more back if I can as there will be a day or two a week where I’m using naff all.