Solar for Beginners [ask your questions here]

graememk

Stuck Thread bump 1

con747

Looks fixed.

Tree

As a solar starting-over-again-er, are there any hybrid inverters that do local control with home assistant? The Huawei was grand at the last place, but I'd like something a bit more robust to network outages (also no fibre at the new place 😭)

daveville30

What's the Craig with microinverters can you send in an nc6 form with a couple of inverters? If so are there certain ones that are Irish grid approved cheers.

JohnySwan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123915003#Comment_123915003

Yes, Enphase are approved. Try Midsummer.ie

daveville30

Had a look there very low power from them.it you used a microinverter without sending in a nc6 form would you still save money on your bill with the lower base load.

Dufrain122

Quick question from a newbie. Any feedback much appreciated.

I’ve a 12kVa MIC coming into the house.

Any idea roughly how many kw can I expect to be able to pull from the grid per hour on Pinergy 2-5am EV rate.

I’m currently with Energia EV rate 2-6am but open to switching to Pinergy.

I’ve got:

EV with Wallbox pulsar plus charger with load balancing.

Heatpump

15kw battery installed by end of month

Solis hybrid inverter able to charge battery at 100a max.

Currently able to run EV charger 7kw, Heatpump, dishwasher, washing machine at same time during 2-6am Energia EV rate.

Would I be able to also charge the battery?

Thanks

ECO_Mental

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123915319#Comment_123915319

You might!! lads on here do push the limits…. your fuse/mcb should be 63 amps so in theory that is your limit. So at 230 volts and a power factor of 0.95 that should be 13.5kW. There have been many heated discussions on this topic with varying opnions

Yeah the car might be going solid for the 3 hours but the HP might only be going for a hour or two maybe more in the winter if you are getting you getting thermal mass into your house with heating, so potentially in winter that could be on for 3 hours as well (probabaly not though) so EV (7kW) and HP (4-5kW) that gives 11.5 kW so you have only have in theory 2 kW to play with!!

Now more than likley you will only be discharging to 10% SOC so you will only be charging to 13.5 kWh which is 2.7 hours at full throttle. I know there are plently of people on here who do it but you need to check your consumer board is up to it, is it a new board etc etc.

ESB guidance is only 52 amps over 10 minutes (approx 11.3 kWh) but there are plently of poeple here who go above this no problem.

In summary I think there will be days during the winter where you might struggle but you will be there or there abouts. Maybe think of not putting on the dishwasher/dryer at night use the battery for these during the day or schedule them for midday when potentially you have max PV (dont know if you have solar).

During the summer I think you will be grand

JohnySwan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123915319#Comment_123915319

I installed temperature probes on the main incomer, the charge point and the inverter. I also upgraded my board to an enhanced board with 16sq busbar and space between the big load rcbo's. Temperature still rises quite high, if your board is in poor condition and is a standard Irish install, ie, too small with everything packed in, then I would stick to about 12kw.

Dufrain122

Thanks for your reply.

I've a 6.1kWp south facing solar system that generates approx 6000 kw a year.

The EV charging isn’t a priority. I don’t do huge mileage so I won’t be charging everyday and don’t need to have the charger flat out for 3hrs. I can cut back the EV charge rate so the solar battery and Heatpump get priority.

Phoebas

I'm looking at getting solar panels installed as part of a larger retrofit, but the company I am currently talking to say that their system isn't suitable for my 1950s roof because it doesn't have roof felt.

I'm trying to get a steer on whether it is possible or advisable to install on this kind of roof, and the extra risks and costs involved. Do most solar PV installers work with this kind of roof or am entering very specialist territory?

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123917575#Comment_123917575

So you have bare tile or slate against the rafters, or is there any type of sarking?

Phoebas

Bare tile - no sarking whatsoever.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123917702#Comment_123917702

Hmmm - best have a Google around and see what they do in the UK in this case as they would have a lot of older housing stock which would be similar to yours. But I suspect that the answer is that you need sarking/felt as the tile overlaps might not be sufficient to provide coverage when the tile is cut. Plus, walking on an older roof is likely to cause tiles to crack, some of those go un-noticed, so the onus would be on the installer to remediate the leak.

It probably can be done, but the lack of sarking will increase the risk of a leak (specifically leaking directly into the house) and the risks of having to pay for remediation will be too high for an installer to take a chance.

daveville30

If you get a microinverter and a couple of panels in the back garden will it reduce your bill even if you don't send in an nc6 form?

Cheers

kig

any recommendations for contractors who work with Huawei. We have a system installed a few years back, and want some add ons, but don't want any guarantees voided.

fitzparker

I know nothing about Solar energy, what any word means or does, so im looking for someone to dumb it down for me to tell me is it worth it, I stayed away previously as id need a 8-10k loan to go ahead. but found a company that does a payment plan over X amount of years which sounds much better.

Here are things im not sure is needed but ill provide as much info as I can

Mysolar is the company (any use?) will be a deposit of around 1k and then X amount each month (i have only enquired, havent heard back from them)

House is a 3 bed semi, side entrance, south facing but we have 2 attic windows to the rear

Is there a certain amount when it comes benificial? i.e 5 wont do anything but 10 onwards will (im unsure how many will fit out my back)

I used almost 5000kW last year with Electric Ireland 24 hour rate, im on about 27c per KW

I have an emmersion (does this mean maybe hot water is covered too? ) although oil is my heating ( not sure if that matters)

This months bill Sept 20 - Oct 20 I used 450 units and it cost €150

Not sure if I need to provide any other info.

But I just want someone in laymans terms to tell me how much saving I could potentially get.

Like if I get for example 10 panels and mysolar charge me 70 per month over 10 years to pay for them… will my electricity bill be less than €80? because if not, is there a point?

Thank you

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123924562#Comment_123924562

That company were competitive when they started years ago but now you'd probably be better off getting a credit union loan or something. A 10 panel system from them is around €8200. You can pick that up for around €2000 less off companies I would think. Have a read of this and the link you need to see your rough generation is there and what else you need to know are in the other links.

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

fitzparker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123924626#Comment_123924626

Thanks, I will do some homework and see.

They got back - 13 panels (is what they caluclated is needed) - is €1000 deposit and €75 a month over 10 years ( covers warranty within those 10 years) = €10,000

Or they can do €6400 upfront (2 Year warranty)

A quick search on electric ireland have a 10 panel system for €5600 (not sure what is included)

I presumed all systems are the same, but are some dirt and some ok?

Like what companies would be reputable

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123924987#Comment_123924987

Most panels and inverters are the same quality so just check if you want to include a battery/batteries in the future then get a hybrid inverter but some inverters are restricted to being able to add certain batteries so watch out for that.

DC999

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123923092#Comment_123923092

Yep. Setup in mine and my folks. Under 500 quid. That includes 2nd hand panels on Adverts.ie. And new microinverters online. Will need a van most likely for panels which could be 'gocar'

daveville30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123925518#Comment_123925518

Have a van so no problem there. so I'm not restricted to buying a microinverter that's Irish grid approved if I don't send in the form.some of the ones that are en50549 are only 300w enphase.

DC999

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123925611#Comment_123925611

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123925611#Comment_123925611

I went for branded ones as it's important they power off once the AC goes off - meaning they auto turn off in a power cut. So emergency services can't get an electric shock. Or same for ESB working on a power line they belive is 'dead'.

So check the ones you are getting have that.

daveville30

O

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123928449#Comment_123928449

Ok cool did you notice a difference in the bill since you stated using it

idc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123925611#Comment_123925611

Don't understand why do you think you don't need to send in the NC6 form ?
Pretty sure to connect any micro-generator (solar/wind/diesel generator/etc) to the grid requires NC6. If your not connected to grid then no issue.

daveville30

That's what I'm wondering you hardly need an electrian to come and plug it into the wall for you and then send in forms?

idc

You do though, any micro-generation connected to the grid is supposed to submit NC6
All the info on this is here Micro-generation | ESB Networks

There is often a misconception that NC6 is just if you want to get FIT.

I don't know if ESBN have a way to detect people who don't submit NC6 - it would be simple to detect if people were exporting to grid via a smart meter who had not submitted a NC6 but no idea if they follow up on that. I assume there are people who don't bother and just connect any way.

Basically in Ireland what you propose is not allowed by ESBN - it all must be correctly tested/signed off by Registered electrician

homewardbound11

So I got my panels installed yesterday . 15 KW battery and 9.6 ke panels .
what’s next. It might be obvious to everyone but I’m not sure what’s the correct sequence or order to be setup on the esb network for feed in .

As its winter now would it be pointless going onto a tariff right now ?.

-) how do I know my meter is active for tariffs

-) the Nac6 form has gone in but I don’t know if it’s registered for FIT .
Do I contact the installing company for help with setting up the inverter . It’s a solis and as far as I know it’s defaulted to self use load battery grid .
-) I have my information with ran networks and a rough idea of the plan . I need to charge batteries at night rate and use during the day . As it is it seems to be discharging faster n the evening and charging when it gets to about 30 percent from the grid and solar .
Thanks and apologies if it might sound silly .

naughtysmurf

I’ve two questions, apologies if they’ve been asked before,

Due to have 13 panels, 7X450w & 6X605w, and 5kw hybrid inverter & 10Kwh Powerbox installed shortly.

How long typically will it take to charge the battery during the winter months?

Will it be okay to use a washing machine, dishwasher & charge the battery at the same time at the cheapest rate overnight?

Thanks

JohnySwan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123931010#Comment_123931010

You absolutely do and you can't just plug it into the wall. You must install it according to the regs. Dedicated supply, bidirectional Rcbo, automatic disconnect, etc, etc.