Newbie solar PV questions

handofdog

Hi guys

Apols if these have been asked already - very happy to be pointed to a "dummies guide" if one exists 👍.

We use approx 6000 KWh electricity per year.

What type/power of a solar system would be best for us? Is there any point in adding more panels than the 4KWp that the grant is capped at?

Am not interested in a battery - we can schedule appliances to run during the day no problem.

In the event of a power cut then would a "typical" house still be able to run the constants - fridge, freezer etc. - and also support a wfh office (PC/monitor/router etc.) from solar?

From reading a few threads it seems to me that the hot water option isn't really worth the outlay/maintenance. Would that be right?

Thanks in advance. Cheers.

slave1

In the event of a power cut then would a "typical" house still be able to run the constants - fridge, freezer etc. - and also support a wfh office (PC/monitor/router etc.) from solar?

As all inverters in Ireland are grid tied you will have zero solar if the grid goes down, grid down cuts off solar PV automatically.

Only way around is a battery system where you can have such options as a socket taken off the inverter right through to a EPS setup, all dependant on level of battery capacity and power output

yankinlk

I'm only new myself, but obsessed with my new system for now. I have a battery, and how I see it working... during the day is when u run a washer or dishwasher or dryer or kettle or oven... and the sun and panels aren't generating more than the house draw. People seem to think that the panels will give constant energy above the house load.... I'm not seeing that except in the sunniest of days.

Every setup will be different but I'm glad I got a battery to fill in the gap so far. It's not just about using battery for sundown.

SD_DRACULA

Yes batteries make sense for Irish weather from a consumption perspective because of a lot of this sun/clouds/sun/rain/clouds/sun

With a large system you can end easily end up exporting 50% of the generation.

I put in a battery in May and so far it let me use about 1000kwh which I would have lost to the grid, for nothing... I mean for Greta 🤣

yankinlk

for me its all about battery plus sun equals the metter stopping or going backwards. Took a video of my meter going in reverse and sent it to a mate. He told me thats gone viral through his company... maybe an idea for the installers out there to advertise (please stop advertising panels to me im in!)

markpb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118022433#Comment_118022433

That doesn't (shouldn't?) happen with any meter installed in the last 10+ years. Most people will feed the grid with no benefit at all. People with smart meters may get paid for feed in the future but it won't be at the same rate as they're paying for electricity purchased from the grid.

yankinlk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118022477#Comment_118022477

The house is older than that. See why the video went viral :)

unkel

@handofdog - don't go the subsidy route on a 4kwp system if you are not getting a battery. The subsidy is feck all and the paperwork is not worth it, you will get a cheaper system without the subsidy.

MAULBROOK

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058213054/newbie-solar-pv-questions

If you can go bigger than 4kw then go bigger and get a battery in my view the are essential. It will help out on a dull day and full the gaps when the sun get blocked from time to time. Start small with the battery and if you feel its not working, out then sell it. If its working out you can easily add more.

handofdog

Thanks for all the comments guys - much appreciated 👍.