Solar PV Hints, Tips & Troubleshooting

The devils

Guys, if i was to install and build my own battery storage and panels (test only on shed) would it be hard to do.

I have access to battery cases and batteries similar to the attachment below

G-Tec AP160N

any thoughts ?

rosmoke

Team has just installed 16 * 460w solar panels as in the picture.

I'll have 2 inverters with 2 strings each and I see in the attic that I have 2 sets of wires while from extension there is only 1 set of wires coming in, just wondering if I should make sure electrical team pulls the 2nd cable from the extension to have 4 strings in total?

Orientation is as in the screenshot, south and slightly west.

championc

You don't sound very trusting of them 🤔

rosmoke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120074374#Comment_120074374

ahahha I hear this often and problem might be with me!

It's a habit I have to be extra careful and the team placing the panels on the roof admitted they have 0 knowledge about electricity.

They showed me they get a reading on the multimeter and when I asked what, voltage, amps they said that they have no clue but if it's something then all good :)))))

It was VOC what they were testing.

jkforde

they were probably purely roofers, then the sparks wire it all in. fairly typical setup within installers I'd say.

conoraofarrell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118729712#Comment_118729712

How did you get this far? I have my CT Clamp connected, but it does not seem to be returning anything for the grid side. I tried a number of settings and my meter is set correctly on the inverter. However, when I run a CT test, it comes back OK.

When I set EPM to Consumption Meter: I see the graphic, but grid is returning nothing and appears to be grayed out. I assume this is because a direct Insert meter is required.

When I set to Current Transformer: the graphic disappears altogether and it doesn't even pretend to care about consumption.

When I set to meter in Grid. My generation goes to 20watts and the display says LimByEPM.

Thanks

Con

The devils

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120085433#Comment_120085433

Do you have batteries installed ?

conoraofarrell

No batteries installed. I just want to monitor my use really. I have Shellys, but I’d rather use the Solis api and get rid of the excess Whaley gear from my fuse box.

ELM327

Setting the EPM like that will limit the output to match consumption and avoid feedback to the grid. I suspect in a batteryless system thats not the best way to operate

championc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120086172#Comment_120086172

And absolutely not if you expect payment for any exported power !!!

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120086078#Comment_120086078

Shelly are far more useful, the solis only updates every 5 minutes.

conoraofarrell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120086723#Comment_120086723

Yes, I agree on the 5 mins thing. It's not fabulous form that side. I really just want everything in "one pane of glass". I can't see the EPM limitation being an issue as I should be able to just set the limit at a maximum value I won't reach.

I made the mistake of not doing my reseach and got the Solar iBoost instead of the Eddi. Would there be any point in getting a Myenrgie hub and Harvi to monitor my use? I've no EV at the moment(yet).

Yes, I'm a bit of a nerd and I like to see my numbers, and it probably is false economics at this stage.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120089253#Comment_120089253

Id go all in with shelly and home assistant. you could do even more automations with smart plugs with that.

Did you get a meter or a CT?

conoraofarrell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120090107#Comment_120090107

I've a CT and it appears to be correctly connected.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120090666#Comment_120090666

then you need to select the CT option. the hybrids have a meter, (its a little device that also has a CT, monitors the grid and communicates with the inverter over rs485

irishchris

Appreciate if anyone knows where to source some 25mm battery cable? Ideally locally if possible

SD_DRACULA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091831#Comment_120091831

If locally is Dublin, did you try midsummer? Got the 25mm pylon cable pack and you can cut the ends off.

championc

Battery cable from a motor factors ???

irishchris

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091943#Comment_120091943

Never thought of there. Assume any car accessory shop should stock these and would be as insulated as pylontech cable for example?

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092226#Comment_120092226

Yeah I picked up some 35mm2 at the local co op, it's battery/welder cable. Was only black though.

spose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091831#Comment_120091831

Ch marine have all different sizes if there’s one near you

The devils

Guys,

I am on Day/Night meter

my supplier is energia and was onto them this morning:

day 47 inc vat

night 13.75 inc vat

would anybody have any other recent quotes please ?

cheers

ELM327

That's pretty much the best Day night rate on the market tbh. Unless you use a lot of day rate, but assuming you have battery storage and dont use day rate, the energia one is the way to go.

The devils

That's what I was thinking ELM cheers

I've 2 x 5kw battery storage - I'm wondering should I lock it in for 2 years if I can and be a bit more clever with my consumption during the winter days

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120093427#Comment_120093427

I dont think they offer 2 yr contracts though.

DrPhilG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120093404#Comment_120093404

Bloody mental that 47/13.5 is the best thing on the market.

Remember when 16/8 was a bit pricey?

ELM327

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120093427#Comment_120093427

They dont do the fixed term contract anymore. Obviously YMMV and all that but I currently have just under 20kWh of storage and with 90% DOD I use all of it on a bad day in winter, in addition to the 3-5kWh I get from solar.

And yes @DrPhilG I remember debating fixing my price at 28c day 7c night and thinking the day rate was horrendous. Now that is the night rate offered by some companies!

DC999

Just renewed my folks electricity on bonkers. 41c (on a 24 hour meter) is the best rate. It's scary. Nearly half a euro for 1 unit.

They got a €300 joining cashback bonus with FloGas which helps (when moving both gas and electricity). But the standing charges are higher to offset that so will eat into it.

They don't have solar or an EV. And I ran the maths on a smart tariff (they have a smart meter). They wouldn’t save a penny unless they actively moved stuff to run on smart tariff night rate. They don't want to load shift (in their 70s so worried about fire risk, which I know is low but they are used to fire brigade ads about not leaving devices on when not in the house or asleep).

Btw, Flo Gas are doing €150 cashback for moving gas only. Again, standing charges are higher.

The devils

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120093683#Comment_120093683

I know:)

24 month was mentioned but only on smart meter ?? Which I don't have

So went with the one above which is not fixed (all variabl) ..anyway hopefully it'll be less next year

The devils

This was probably answered already.

When the power goes (grid) , I assume the batteries don't power the house ? Is there a way in which they can, switchover type thing or is it to dangerous 🤔