Solar for Beginners [ask your questions here]

mossie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122768559#Comment_122768559

Thanks. I would have no issue with keeping more than 25 sq m open anyway.

jiminho

Hi all - Looking to get solar PV in before the end of the year and not sure where to start. Does anyone have a list of recommended installers? Based in south Dublin. And does anyone have a list of things to look out for? Our front roof faces directly south and there’s a couple of house along the street who have 10 panels on their roof. Looks like the max. I could get on there.

graememk

Few threads

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058243236/solar-pv-boards-members-installer-information

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058234646/interested-in-solar-pv-read-this-faq-first

Padre_Pio

Speccing out my system and I think the 5kW Solis inverter is one most recommended here, the S5-EH1P5K-L.

I converted my attic so the inverter has to live outside. However, I'm not too happy putting it on the back wall at ground level. I have notions of building a sunroom there in the next year or two so I'd have to move the inverter when that work starts.

Half thinking of mounting it above the back door, possibly in a IP67 enclosure. I'd need a ladder to access it, but I don't think it needs regular maintenance.

Any thoughts?

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122772500#Comment_122772500

The inverters are weather resistant an IP 67 enclosure would likely not have enough airflow to keep the inverter cool.

If mounting outside, and you want to do something, put a little roof over it?

@DC999 I think has their one mounted high?

DC999

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122772620#Comment_122772620

Yeah, have pur 2 inverters about 8 foot high outside the house. Huawei brand and there 2.5 years and no problems. Put them up high so people couldn't mess with them.

tommythecat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122772500#Comment_122772500

Our attic is converted by we still managed to fit the Inverter and battery in the under eaves storage.

mossie

Is there a difference between different brands of Panels / Inverters / batteries I should be aware of? There have been so many different types in the quotations I am wondering if there are any I should avoid or any I should prioritise?

Panels - Jinko / Leapton / Bauer / Tongwei

Inverters - Huawei / Solis / Sofar / Sigenergy / Weco

Batteries - Huawei / Weco / Dyness

Probably more but my head is fried from all the options.

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122772954#Comment_122772954

I could do that, but I would be worried about putting the inverter somewhere that I can't see it.

bullit_dodger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122775591#Comment_122775591

You forgot a few. Panels you have LG etc, Inverters Givenergy, Hoymiles, etc etc.

The list is long, but really there's no real lemons out their. Some are better in terms of efficiency (e.g. you might get 1-2% better over the space of the year with one brand over another - but then you might spend an extra €1 or €2k and that extra efficiency isn't worth the premium.

Ultimately and this is the tried and tested rule for many here, shop around - and generally price is your best differentiator. Don't get too hung up on one brand over another. Beware of snake oil salesmen who tell you "our inverters are better than the others"……generally it's not true. Each inverter has pros/cons. Some have better telemetry, but then might not be good in lower light conditions etc. They all tend to balance out over the years.

newhouse87

Do i need to let my electricity provider know about installation for fit payments. Spark done nc6 and got email from esbn confirming.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122780392#Comment_122780392

No you don't, the ESBN form is all that is needed.

chalky024

I've just had a system installed which included a gateway to provide automatic changeover power to the house in the event of a mains outage. I was informed yesterday however that SEAI will no longer allow these gateways and now my system needs to be rewired to remove it. Just wondering if anyone else on here has received similar news? I'm a bit annoyed with this as these systems are obviously being manufactured for sale and use in other countries. I'd appreciate anyones thoughts on this, particularly if you're affected.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122812020#Comment_122812020

What type of a "gateway" is this device - is it an ATS device; do you have a brand/model?

chalky024

https://www.sigenergy.com/en/products/gateway

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122812020#Comment_122812020

Its mulling in the background for the last year or so.

First it was battery only, no PV.

Now it seems it's nothing.

But it's not against electrical regulations. Just SEAI.

Did you end up having an inspection?

There's nothing stopping you getting it put in after the grant is paid

chalky024

Haven't had the inspection yet as the system wasn't yet commissioned. Might discuss the option of fitting it after with the installer. Apparently the worry is that if there was a fire in the house and the fire service isolated the mains to deal with the fire, then the gateway keeps the house live while water is potentially being poured on to the fire.

chalky024

My installer says he knows of another company who have installed about 100 of these and now they must all be removed and rewired. I wonder if getting it fitted after the grant is paid is an option after all?

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122813517#Comment_122813517

Surely the SEAI communicated all of this in advance…?

MarkN

do these figures look ‘normal’ to those that know more than me?

16 panels, 5kW inverter, 10kWh battery… SW aspect east of country.

First data is from a fairly sunny day in late Oct, the other is from today (much cloudier, clocks changed etc)

In fairness, the ESB networks and EI apps both show pretty much zero usage during the day but just the PV generation figures are vastly different and then in the evening from 6pm we’re pulling a fair amount from the grid.

House is A2, air to water etc

The installer is due to come out and go through everything with me as it’s been a few weeks since installation and they said it would be better to wait until I have questions but I just wanted to gauge feedback here if possible.

Thanks!

chalky024

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122813971#Comment_122813971

Apparently not. The company doing the installations would have been very foolish to do installs with that knowledge.

ECO_Mental

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122814055#Comment_122814055

From just a very quick look it seems grand ones a sunny day the other its not…battery charging when sunny and at night. Your installer is right take a few week see how its going, now that you have live consumption data you can see what uses the most and when these things comes on or not

MarkN

thanks for taking a look at it, was thinking along the lines of sunny versus cloudy days, just expected the battery to last a little longer during the evenings!

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122819301#Comment_122819301

Don't forget the inverter uses around 120w+ just for housekeeping so it adds up over the day.

Busman Paddy Lasty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122819301#Comment_122819301

That's grand, just make sure you're not getting ripped-off Peak Rate electricity. I've set my battery to charge from 01:00 all the way to 16:00. Aim is to get a bill with zero peak charges.

MarkN

yeah it’s topped up 2am-4am when it’s 10c but I must ask that it’s set to never charge from the grid but I don’t think I’ve seen it do that, it’s more of it cannot sustain the needs in the evening that I’m using the grid a little and that would be 34c or something at that time.

Busman Paddy Lasty

10c good price for charging. Come of end February most days I'd say you'll maintain good battery level if not full all day and be sending to grid and generate cash credit on your account.

Later in the year like April charge battery for under €1, maybe export up to 35kWh at 18.5c for €6.50 🤗

MuddyDog

When do we get payment for the last 6 months of solar sold back to the grid? I was told it is every 6 months and the first payment would be in November. I am with YUNO if that makes a difference. Got solar installed in mid June of this year.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122828386#Comment_122828386

Possibly will be in your November bill.

iba

Hi,

Would be grateful for advice on how many 5kwh batteries I can attach to an Afore AF5K-SL Inverter please?

Thanks