Is DIY Solar feasible or worthwhile

youtheman

Folks, I'm thinking of installing a solar system early next year (tubes). I have the following queries, and would appreciate any feedback.

1. I would consider myself to be a very competent DIY person. I'd love the satisfaction of installing the system myself. But is it technically feasible, or is it even worthwhile. Is there any law that says I have to get a 'professional' to install it (similar to an alarm, electric shower, gas cooker etc). If I get a grant of circa 1400 euros, would a professional installer cost me that much.

2. what is the benefit of a stainless cylinder over copper. One of the websites recommends stainless for an un-vented (pressurised) system and copper for vented.

kevymoss

Why not pay a installer to give you a hand.

You can use either on unvented. Just make sure its high grade copper.

Joey the lips

You do not have to have a pressurised system when going solar however you would need a solar copper cylinder.

You only need stainless steel or glass lined if going pressurised as you note and I would not entaine this as a DIYER!

I would agree with Joey, not a DIY job.

quentingargan

The solar part itself can be DIY if you are truly competent at plumbing and comfortable working on roofs etc.

In the past SEI used to allow DIY installations to be commissioned by a registered installer, but lately I have heard rumours that they are asking invoices for the actual installation by the registered installer. That would seem a shame - some of the best jobs I have seen done were DIY ones (and some of the worst too, but no self-respecting installer would sign their name to a commissioning form for such a job)

Anybody else come across this change in policy? The commissioning form implies that the installer doesn't have to have a registration number with SEI. Q

Following the the manufactures instructions and using their technical helpline would make fitting a solar system doable for a good diyer, problem for me is most good installer i know have learned from their mistakes and have come to conclusions on the best design for their installations for both efficiency and longevity, the ability for a diyer to match that would in my mind be difficult as the potential to get things wrong would be quite high, but in saying that a system fitted by diyer who reads the book is going to be better than one fitted by a installer/fruitloop who hasn't, Gary

papac

DIY is certainly possible- maybe even better.

I am an electrician and have commisioned several "professionally" installed solar systems.

The guys who put them in had only a very limited understanding of what they were about. (There are very competent people out there also-I know.)

One guy told me he didn't understand differential thermostats cause they hadn't been covered on the one day(i.e Mickey Mouse) solar course he did to become a "solar professional". Gimme a break.

Plenty of reading and an analytical,first principles approach puts solar well in the realms of diy.

lucky-colm

its not whether its phesible or even worth while its what youre doing for the planet that counts;)

Fitting solar isn't rocket science especially if it's a kit that's already designed to go together, my experience isn't at commissioning stage, it's afterwords mainly with boiler installation but the manufacture i work for make panels/kits as well, and most of the problems i come across are basic faults, so without sounding like a stuck record, it's easy to fit solar and it's easy to get it wrong, I'll shut up now:D. Gary

Joey the lips

I though the issue was the type of solar system ie copper cylinder which would be easy enough for a diyer who is good at plumbing or a pressurised system which is dangerous for a diyer.

and before someone says it i will agree to differ if you feel a diyer can handle installing a pressurised system in fact I will say 6k is an expensive test lesson!

quentingargan

Joey the lips wrote: »

I though the issue was the type of solar system ie copper cylinder which would be easy enough for a diyer who is good at plumbing or a pressurised system which is dangerous for a diyer.

and before someone says it i will agree to differ if you feel a diyer can handle installing a pressurised system in fact I will say 6k is an expensive test lesson!

Concur here. See what happens when you get that wrong here - a mythbusters youtube that I usually include in courses on solar.... Quite sobering.

In the UK, you have to have additional qualification to install unvented systems. You need a triple-lock protection to ensure that the cylinder can never explode....

I work on a lot of unvented cylinders, the quality of installations is shameful, it's rare i see a cylinder fitted properly, recently i called to look at a boiler in a high end job in Dublin i noticed the plumber hadn't fitted a temperature/pressure valve on a twin coil 300 ltr cylinder, the cylinder wasn't mine but i got involved anyway, his reason for fitting the plug was as there wasn't a valve with the cylinder, so he felt it wasn't required, i had to have a bit of a ding dong before he would see the light, i would say easily 95% of installations are fitted badly ranging from plastic discharges, no discharges(most common fault), no temperature control/two ports(2nd most common fault), expansion vessels on the hot draw off/isolation valves between the cylinder and the vessel, 200ltr cylinder fed from a 150ltr break tank, to the dangerous, discharge pointing at kids play area in a large BB and one of the worst a discharge pointing at a row of mini sinks in a nursery:mad:, all these "plumbers" had the instructions from start to finish (with pretty pictures) but decide to do it their own way which normally leads to serious damage to property and sometimes(but more rarely) leads to injury. Rant over I'll get off my soap box before i fall off but it goes back to my point fitting a unvented cylinder is simple(compared to panels) because the manufacture tell installers in detail how to fit them, but rarely are they fitted properly with the basics normally cocked up, Gary.

youtheman

OP here. Thanks for the feedback. My system is vented, so the safety concerns about DIY mods to an pressurised system don't apply (I note the words of caution though).

I'm still wondering if I'll save any money on a D.I.Y. installation, i.e. if I can get a grant of circa. 1400 euros, will and SEI registered plumber cost me more than that.

On a slightly related topic. I want to put in a pumped thermostatic shower in my main bathroom. I was thinking of doing it in two stages, Stage 1 is just fitting a 300l twin coil cylinder. Stage 2 is the optional solar tie in. But if I install a cylinder well before the solar, can I still get a grant later on, i.e. does the grant apply to the panels rather than the complete system (there is another thread here about someone being refused a grant because he purchased before grant approval).

quentingargan

The grant is for the solar installation. You can install the cylinder now yourself and then later apply for the grant, install the panels etc., provided you buy the panels after you have received your approval. The cost of the panels and installation must be more than the grant value.

Word of caution though - you may find that the SEI grant funding has run out by the time you get around to doing that bit. If you are sure you will do the solar at some stage, you may be better off getting your grant pre-approved. You then have six months to complete the system before drawing down the grant.

An SEI registered plumber shouldn't cost more than €1,400, especially if you have already changed the cylinder. There is nothing to stop you doing all the difficult work as well (scaffolding, even mounting the panels etc., as long as the installer invoices you for some work and signs off on the project). I am sure that you should be able to find an installer who is fairly flexible about how much of the work is DIY provided your handiwork in the areas you decide to do yourself is up to scratch. Q

jmtc8

I installed a 40 tube solar panel and 300 Litre tank from Connaught Solar suppliers and fitted it myself. I am fairly handy when it comes to DIY and all is working great. No problems and in my mind well worth the money. It is doable if the person installing has a fair knowledge of plumbing.
OP if you want to PM me with any queries you have about installation please feel free

youtheman

jmtc8, thank you for the offer of feedback. I may take you up at a later date. You wouldn't put a milk bottle out in this weather, so I won't be climbing up on my roof for a few months yet.