Self install solar pv

irishchris · 07-03-2021 12:32pm #1

Finally finished my install this week and all up and running. I know a few here have asked for some detail and pictures of it when was finished. Plan was for a 2.5kw system but ended up with 3.65kwp. added to my 2.88 KW and now at 6.5kwp. if could get around the Esb 6kw limit I would add more

9 X 360w longi all black split cell
1 X 365w longi all black split cell
3kw Solis inverter

Had no previous idea on how to do it prior to starting but plenty of learning from online and was plain sailing. Enjoyed every bit of it and now need to decide what my next solar project is 😀

Photos too large to upload here so put a selection throughout up on this link
https://www.flickr.com/gp/185317792@N03/68qa7k

graememk · 07-03-2021 2:53pm

the posts arent going anywhere! great foundation!

Are the panels held on on the inside?

irishchris · 07-03-2021 3:00pm

graememk wrote: »

the posts arent going anywhere! great foundation!

Are the panels held on on the inside?

Cheers, thought best be safe with the foundations as can be very gusty here.

Yep the panels are held at the back in four places to spring nuts which sit in the unistrut.

KCross · 07-03-2021 3:24pm

irishchris wrote: »

Finally finished my install this week and all up and running. I know a few here have asked for some detail and pictures of it when was finished. Plan was for a 2.5kw system but ended up with 3.65kwp. added to my 2.88 KW and now at 6.5kwp. if could get around the Esb 6kw limit I would add more

9 X 360w longi all black split cell
1 X 365w longi all black split cell
3kw Solis inverter

Had no previous idea on how to do it prior to starting but plenty of learning from online and was plain sailing. Enjoyed every bit of it and now need to decide what my next solar project is ��

Photos too large to upload here so put a selection throughout up on this link
https://www.flickr.com/gp/185317792@N03/68qa7k

Cool!

Another row in front of that now and you're sorted!

A few questions...
- What is the orientation of the panels?

- Would it have been easy at all to have a tilt mechanism built in so that you could make them vertical as you head into winter months? Maybe multiple levels of bolts that allow you to tilt them up a few notches on the top edge?

- Did you get a spark to do the electrical work? What did he charge you? Did you get a grant for it?

irishchris · 07-03-2021 3:31pm

KCross wrote: »

Cool!

Another row in front of that now and you're sorted!

A few questions...
- What is the orientation of the panels?

- Would it have been easy at all to have a tilt mechanism built in so that you could make them vertical as you head into winter months? Maybe multiple levels of bolts that allow you to tilt them up a few notches on the top edge?

- Did you get a spark to do the electrical work? Did you get a grant for it?

Orientation is South-South West

Was tempted to add mechanism for changing tilt angle but was halted by the fact the posts were directly beneath the panels in this setup and therefore not much room for manouvering as panels would be too close to posts

Spark connected the AC switch to new 20amp rcbo in consumer unit for me for €50. No grant in this one as had a grant aided install for 2.88kwp at end of last year so not eligible. Grand total of install was about €1900 roughly without any grant.

KCross · 07-03-2021 3:47pm

irishchris wrote: »

Spark connected the AC switch to new 20amp rcbo in consumer unit for me for €50.

Hang on to that sparks friend you have!

irishchris wrote: »

Grand total of install was about €1900 roughly without any grant.

Excluding your labour, of course!

But well done. Great value and looks well put together. Enjoy!

irishchris · 07-03-2021 3:58pm

KCross wrote: »

Hang on to that sparks friend you have!

Excluding your labour, of course!

But well done. Great value and looks well put together. Enjoy!

Cheers, seemed good price for the spark alright but only took him 45 mins as was single cable fed by me that he had to hook to switch and then to consumer unit. I was happy with his costs though

mun1 · 07-03-2021 6:19pm

Nice installation. I’m go into add another 7 panels onto my installation . I’d like to add them onto the shed wall as there is no shading .
This will give me
Need to find some steelwork for the shed wall. HD angle iron might do

irishchris · 10-03-2021 12:25pm

mun1 wrote: »

Nice installation. I’m go into add another 7 panels onto my installation . I’d like to add them onto the shed wall as there is no shading .
This will give me
Need to find some steelwork for the shed wall. HD angle iron might do

Definitely something you should consider as biggest mistake I made with my first array was not to add enough panels. Be aware though if adding to side of shed to allow enough clearance for the higher spec panels as most are longer in size. My 360w panels are 1.7m in length whereas the newer 450 longi panels for sale now are 2.1m!

mun1 · 10-03-2021 1:11pm

So my latest plan was to move the 4 vertical 315W panels on to the south side of the shed onto the string with 8 315 panels on it.
Then buy four 365W panels to put vertically onto west facing gable wall.

Just measured up and 365W panels and they are 48mm wider than 315 panels and so cannot fit four of them onto the gable .:(

3 x 365w panels on one string might not be enough for inverter to pick up

irishchris · 10-03-2021 1:23pm

mun1 wrote: »

So my latest plan was to move the 4 vertical 315W panels on to the south side of the shed onto the string with 8 315 panels on it.
Then buy four 365W panels to put vertically onto west facing gable wall.

Just measured up and 365W panels and they are 48mm wider than 315 panels and so cannot fit four of them onto the gable .:(

3 x 365w panels on one string might not be enough for inverter to pick up

How are you attaching then to the gable wall? You could use unistrut attached to wall which could overhang the end of the wall to fit the 4 panels on it if not much overhang needed

mun1 · 10-03-2021 1:29pm

Already have the overhang with unistrut and still short about 5 inches

.

Might look for slimmer panels

listermint · 10-03-2021 1:29pm

KCross wrote: »

Hang on to that sparks friend you have!

Excluding your labour, of course!

But well done. Great value and looks well put together. Enjoy!

Tbf thread title is self install. Who'd put their labour value into the cost.

Nice work OP. Considering solar installation here massive roof space and serious south facing non shaded location

10-03-2021 1:30pm

Hi Chris,
I hope to do something like this myself in the next while.
I see from the my enrgy app you have the hot water set up.
Do you need a second immersion element to do that ?

I need to get a larger HW cylinder anyway so would like to future proof it as much as possible.

10-03-2021 1:44pm

Nice job.
You should put some preservative on your cut ends and non treated wood.

Did you have to cut through any concrete to run the wires to the house?

irishchris · 10-03-2021 5:30pm

BrownFinger wrote: »

Hi Chris,
I hope to do something like this myself in the next while.
I see from the my enrgy app you have the hot water set up.
Do you need a second immersion element to do that ?

I need to get a larger HW cylinder anyway so would like to future proof it as much as possible.

No just uses the existing immersion that is there in the hot tank. Detects Surplus solar power via clamp on grid live cable and diverts it to hot water when house isn't using it

irishchris · 10-03-2021 5:31pm

listermint wrote: »

Tbf thread title is self install. Who'd put their labour value into the cost.

Nice work OP. Considering solar installation here massive roof space and serious south facing non shaded location

Yes wouldn't consider the labor value in overall cost as it was a nice hobby to read up on it and to do the install. You should definitely be looking at getting some solar up on that southerly roof if you can

irishchris · 10-03-2021 5:36pm

SouthWesterly wrote: »

Nice job.
You should put some preservative on your cut ends and non treated wood.

Did you have to cut through any concrete to run the wires to the house?

Cheers, yep treated the cut ends bar the last post as with wine approaching that day I got panel up and treated it since. All timber is treated with 2 coats of creosole and will be applying a fresh coat in summer to ensure full coverage

I was able to run the cables via 2" Esb ducting under foundations of kerbs as went 3ft down but had to cut out a 3" wide section of pavement beside house

irishchris · 10-03-2021 5:36pm

SouthWesterly wrote: »

Nice job.
You should put some preservative on your cut ends and non treated wood.

Did you have to cut through any concrete to run the wires to the house?

Cheers, yep treated the cut ends bar the last post as with wind approaching that day I got panel up and treated it since. All timber is treated with 2 coats of creosole and will be applying a fresh coat in summer to ensure full coverage

I was able to run the cables via 2" Esb ducting under foundations of kerbs as went 3ft down but had to cut out a 3" wide section of pavement beside house. Hired a consaw and it only took maybe ten minutes

11-03-2021 10:02am

irishchris wrote: »

No just uses the existing immersion that is there in the hot tank. Detects Surplus solar power via clamp on grid live cable and diverts it to hot water when house isn't using it

Thanks,
Another one for you.
What about manual immersion control, have you kept your physical controls or do you do that via the eddi (app?).

Also does the eddi know the temp of the tank or do you have a physical thermostat that breaks the circuit?

Heres a wiring diagram for anyone interested !

Edit ,
I should have read the manual more

"The water in the cylinder (3) is heated with only surplus power until the thermostat has opened, the eddi will display Max
Temp Reached and the surplus power will then be exported until the water cools, heating will then resume"

buzz11 · 11-03-2021 11:46am

BrownFinger wrote: »

Hi Chris,
I hope to do something like this myself in the next while.
I see from the my enrgy app you have the hot water set up.
Do you need a second immersion element to do that ?

I need to get a larger HW cylinder anyway so would like to future proof it as much as possible.

I have a 500L Joule water cylinder with the added insulation, its fantastic at retaining the heat.

500L is overkill and we only use the half tank immersion but I plan to connect my solar panels to both immersions, I was looking at the Apollo Gem diverter which can handle two immersions.

https://www.apollosolarelectric.co.uk/Our_Products/GEM_System/

slave1 · 11-03-2021 12:18pm

buzz11 wrote: »

I have a 500L Joule water cylinder with the added insulation, its fantastic at retaining the heat.

500L is overkill and we only use the half tank immersion but I plan to connect my solar panels to both immersions, I was looking at the Apollo Gem diverter which can handle two immersions.

https://www.apollosolarelectric.co.uk/Our_Products/GEM_System/

Just in case you don't realise the Eddi can handle two immersions also

graememk · 11-03-2021 12:36pm

slave1 wrote: »

Just in case you don't realise the Eddi can handle two immersions also

Even the solar iboost can handle 2

Ubbquittious · 11-03-2021 5:17pm

Youd want a hot. Tub to make use of the 500L

Few nice cocktails as well

irishchris · 12-03-2021 12:06am

BrownFinger wrote: »

Thanks,
Another one for you.
What about manual immersion control, have you kept your physical controls or do you do that via the eddi (app?).

Also does the eddi know the temp of the tank or do you have a physical thermostat that breaks the circuit?

Heres a wiring diagram for anyone interested !

Edit ,
I should have read the manual more

"The water in the cylinder (3) is heated with only surplus power until the thermostat has opened, the eddi will display Max
Temp Reached and the surplus power will then be exported until the water cools, heating will then resume"

The eddi has a physical boost button on it and also can be done from within app

SchrodingersCat · 30-09-2021 5:11am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/116505484#Comment_116505484

Fantastic to see someone finish such an installation themselves. Looks like a great job. Well done 😊

Ive done a self install with a solartricity 6 panel (2.16kw) kit on my shed too. I am at the stage where I am about to wire the AC switch up to the RCBO in the main panel in the house. You mentioned not being able to get the grant for this as you received the grant on a previous installation. I’ve never considered applying for the grant as I thought that non SEAI registered contractor installs were out of the question for it. If not, any pointers on how to go about doing it?

Also, any recommendations on a good energy monitor? Il might look into getting a hot water diverter too, depending on what the monitor tells me.

irishchris · 30-09-2021 5:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117957458#Comment_117957458

Cheers and added a bit since between 3 batteries and more panels so be careful as is an addictive hobby 😀

Unfortunately you can't apply for grant for self install and does have to be an seai approved installer.

I'm using the myenergi app for monitoring as have installed an eddi for bit water and clamps for grid and the two solar arrays.

30-09-2021 6:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117960244#Comment_117960244

Any chance of some more photos of the upgrade and materials used.

Did you install the eddi yourself?

irishchris · 30-09-2021 7:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117960418#Comment_117960418

Will take some photos tomorrow or over the weekend and update it. Moved all of the install out to new wooden shed beside panels over last couple weeks and just doing final touches now like surge protection etc

Eddi really is a simple install and just needs to be fitted somewhere on the run between consumer unit and your immersion. In my case in utility not too far from consumer unit but easy access

30-09-2021 8:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117960638#Comment_117960638

Thanks.

I've still not wrapped my head around the consumer unit.

Is that the meter or the fuse board?

Jonathan · 30-09-2021 8:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117960853#Comment_117960853

Fuseboard. However, you are better off installing the Eddi in the hotpress (or wherever your cylinder is located) as this gives you more options for the second output or to use the optional relay board to monitor the temperature in the cylinder.

irishchris · 30-09-2021 11:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117960880#Comment_117960880

You could do but the high humidity in there will definitely impact the life span of the eddi

Jonathan · 01-10-2021 9:37am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117961406#Comment_117961406

Unless you have a leaky cyclinder (or are putting wet clothes in there to dry), I'm not sure how a hotpress would be more humid than a hallway (or where ever your CU is located)?

slave1 · 01-10-2021 11:25am

EDDI has no cooling fan, just a heatsink, I placed mine in the bedroom hallway rather than the hot press to avoid the heat

irishchris · 01-10-2021 3:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117962227#Comment_117962227

Not so much humid but plenty of heat nonetheless! Large hot cylinder and double radiator in small area with no real airflow which combined would lead to a short life for my poor old eddi so safer putting it elsewhere 😁

Jonathan · 01-10-2021 3:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117963911#Comment_117963911

Agreed on heat issues. Our hot press isn't too bad heatwise, so I was happy to install it there.

SchrodingersCat · 27-10-2021 10:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117960244#Comment_117960244

I am already looking around the house wondering where I can place more panels! 😁

Considering a household and solar energy monitor will cost me the guts of ~150 quid, it probably makes sense to just spend the money for a hot water diverter, as it already has the energy monitoring functionality built-in.

How are you finding the Eddie? Any reason you picked that over the cheaper Solar i-Boost, for example?

irishchris · 27-10-2021 7:01pm

Mainly as their app and management is much more advanced than the iboost

slave1 · 28-10-2021 8:32am

EDDI is also fanless whereas the iBoost is not, so if placed near bedrooms you avoid that humming, especially if on partition walls

puntypower · 06-01-2022 9:36am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058166412/self-install-solar-pv

Where did you buy all your set up?

irishchris · 06-01-2022 10:13am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118425353#Comment_118425353

Mostly from solartricity and some from mpeonline

corcaigh1 · 15-03-2022 10:29pm

Install was 2k? I thought panels are like 170-180 each x 10 is min €1700.

Given the recent energy price increase announcements i'm considering this project. What is the story with your setup in terms of bills etc, did your install cut much off your bills??

irishchris · 16-03-2022 6:00am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118791277#Comment_118791277

Panels were 95 ex vat from solartricity. Also had 10% off everything from there as got multiple buys as had bought some for family member installs too.

Problem is now this year everything is going up with inflation. Still got decent deal on panels this time around but the likes of unistrut has tripled in cost. Timber, cement and basically everything has increased a lot from my original install to the latest 7 array I added this week