4kw solar diy

allinthehead

Looking for some advice on a potential solar system for my house. I have a pergola which will comfortably take 6 400w panels. Slope of 10 degrees and SE facing. I also have a steel shed which will take 2 400w panels on the SE side and 2 400w panels on the NW side. Slope is 20 degrees. House is 15 meters from pergola and shed.

Would the best way to set it up be to make two strings? One for the pergola and one for the shed, then fit optimisers to the shed string or would just one string work with the optimisers on the shed panels.

The other thing I haven't decided on is the location of the inverter. Would installing it in the steel shed be a bad idea with large temperature variations and potential high humidity? The other location would be running the Dc cabling back to the utilty.

Thanks.

Richard.

slave1

Are you sure on the slope, 10 degrees is almost vertical?

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119327872#Comment_119327872

Ya, rise of roughly .6m over 3.5m

Lob1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058254167/4kw-solar-diy

Micro inverters probably best for the steel shed. There are flat roof/patio mounts available that give an angle of 20-40 degrees. You will also need a friendly electrician to do the mains connection.

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119328672#Comment_119328672

Will look in to micro inverters thanks. I was aware of those tilt brackets but It wouldn't look great on a pergola, trying to keep the height to a minimum. Electrician is sorted too.

allinthehead

Decided to go with 3 quad microinverters. Cheaper than going with a string inverter plus the micro and individual panel monitoring is a nice feature too.

allinthehead

I just wanted to provide an update on this for anyone thinking of doing something similar.

I ended up going with 12 panels. 3.2 SE, .8 NW and .8 W.

They produced 3.7 Mwh in 12 months. Winter production is affected by the houses behind me unfortunately.

I ended up wanting to add batteries, so I picked up a SunSynk 5kw inverter from Kellihers and 15kwh of Byd cell batteries.

The 12 panels are now connected directly to the Aux out on the inverter. Panels can charge the batteries using frequency shifting off grid, handy if we have a sustained power cut.

I will also be adding 12 panels to the roof soon. Addictive stuff these renewables.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121418003#Comment_121418003

Its an addiction for sure, always looking for more.

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121418238#Comment_121418238

Every outdoor surface has me thinking, could I get a panel on that.🤪

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121418003#Comment_121418003

I was thinking of adding 2 panels to my garden shed too. It’s only a small shed like your own.

I won’t be able to run the cable back to the CU or the existing invertor in the attic.

Can I add 2 panels (possibly built in micro inverters) and just plug them into the socket that’s in the shed to feed the house?

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121420633#Comment_121420633

You can, it will work but it's not kosher. Microinverters should have a dedicated supply from the CU.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121420707#Comment_121420707

I get you. I’ll see what I can do.

Thanks.

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121420717#Comment_121420717

If you're going ahead then my advice would be not to use a plug. Wire it directly to a 20amp double pole switch or 13 amp fused spur connected to the socket circuit.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121420729#Comment_121420729

Possibly a small consumer unit in the shed could be in order?

If on a fused switched spur, it's 2 panels is only 8-900 w it could be fused down to 5-10 amps too.

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121420781#Comment_121420781

That's a good idea, at least it would comply with Is10101. Would need a spark obviously. That's what you need to consider from a legal/insurance point of view.

Gumbo

Excellent, thanks guys.

daheff

Can I ask a slightly stupid question?

When putting in the battery, how is it physically connected to the house electrical circuit? Is it just a wire connector to an existing circuit (eg just wired into a plug/light? Or does it need to go back to the fuse board?

Trying to figure out how/where I could add in a battery to my home.

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121421237#Comment_121421237

Battery is wired through an inverter and then from the inverter to the house consumer unit (fuse board).

The batteries are dc and that dc needs to be converted to ac for use in a house ac system.

Not all inverters are suitable for use with batteries, so called hybrid inverter needed.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121421237#Comment_121421237

Battery to inverter and then suitable cable back to the consumer unit.

10-10-20

Reading this thread was one of the reasons I went for a microinverter solution on my DIY install (2x panels on shed and 3 on low roof). I didn't do the inverter yet. Did you NC6? Any issues there?

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121423431#Comment_121423431

I sent in an Nc6 for the microinverters. I must update it now with the new inverter.

daheff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121423793#Comment_121423793

whats the NC6 form thats currently used? I see a couple of different ones online at the moment -one that needs installer to sign and one that wont. My installer tells me he won't complete/return the form. (he installed for builder 6 or 7 years ago).

daheff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121421405#Comment_121421405

SO i can't just stick a battery anywhere in the house unless it can feed back to the consumer unit? Was hoping to put it in the utility where the boiler is, but i can't see how that would get to the consumer unit (stairs toilet are between the utility & consumer unit. )

slave1

The battery can be anywhere, it just needs to be within 2m of your inverter so if your inverter is in the attic then your battery needs to be right beside that in the attic. Lots of folks have no choice but to run cables of out attic through house fabric and back into the consumer unit somehow, especially older homes where the consumer unit is inside the home

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121424809#Comment_121424809

You need a registered electrical contractor to sign the form. There's a new Nc6 form released in October I believe. You can retrospectively send an nc6 but it still needs a Rec willing to sign.

Not an easy find as most wouldn't want to get involved in something they didn't install. High risk for little payback.

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121424809#Comment_121424809

6-E02835310-ESB-NC-Form_DEC_22_NC6_final-v (1).pdf

Latest Nc6 attached.

daheff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121430545#Comment_121430545

cheers

That's the one I saw online. installer is refusing to sign. He's given me details of what to put on the form (none of it makes sense to me though).

Wonder if i sent it in without a signature, but with his details would it be accepted?

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121438309#Comment_121438309

Try it, might work. I can't understand the installer not signing, they're obliged.

If they're Seai registered it might be worth contacting them.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121439774#Comment_121439774

It was installed 7 years ago though.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121438309#Comment_121438309

Is he looking for his palm to be crossed with pieces of silver?

windowcills

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121440076#Comment_121440076

https://youtu.be/U7pnhmLuQmE?si=MumgemEielJF7xM9

Ted

Raoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121418003#Comment_121418003

I am looking at something similar wrt mounting on the fence. Except my fence is higher up so I could potentially get a mount with a tilt. Any recommendation of where to get the brackets?

Your work has inspired me.

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121464489#Comment_121464489

No clue about that I'm afraid sorry.

DC999

My first solar DIY foray is starting soon. Putting 4 panels on a quad microinverter on my folk's shed roof. Got 2nd hand 10 year old 250w panels and rails. Tested panels with a multimeter and they still work fine it seems (lower output as you'd expect for old panels). Threads like this gave me the courage and info to try it. If that works, I can scale it more for them. 

For those interested this one is €302 inc vat. https://www.rexelenergysolutions.ie/product/bpe-quad-microinverter/ (max 1.43kW AC output /1.6kW DC input). Kellighers can source the odds and sods you need. Rexel are the solar side of Kellighers afaik.

I know, I know, people will say a string inverter is more cost effective. But this works better as it's shaded and different orientations. And I'm learning DIY solar! And I can move this mircoinverter anywhere easily. I'd like to add more to a 1st floor roof so wanna see trial it all out in a small scale first.

I got solar installed at my own house with the grant 1.5years ago.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121518372#Comment_121518372

Good plan. Undersize the microinverter BTW... better ROI by doing that.

PCDub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121518372#Comment_121518372

As low user of electricity this sounds like a cost effective way to add some solar to the house. Suppose will still need a sparks to connect microinverter to consumer unit? Also Nc6 required?

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121519280#Comment_121519280

Yes, the proper way to do it is to add a seperate circuit to the board and submit an nc6. Spark required I'm afraid.

You can also do neither of those things but I wouldn't recommend it. I know of an unregistered spark locally who installed his own pv system, no nc6. Smart meter installed afterwards, knock on the door from Esbn followed. Pv system disconnected.

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121518372#Comment_121518372

They're the ones I installed too, very happy with them so far. Ideal for a shed with more than one orientation.

I have 3 installed, best day I had was in June with 28.5kwh.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121519786#Comment_121519786

I wonder what will happen to the people in the new builds where we have seen on here that some don't have nc6 recorded.. and some issue getting retrospective nc6 in due to not being able to get the certs.

They won't be exporting much though. Unless the person you know of was exporting a lot.

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121519957#Comment_121519957

It's funny, as I was typing I considered those building regs installs which never had an nc6.

He had a large install though, not sure that should matter really. If your system isn't registered it should apply to all, or maybe somehow they're grandfathered in.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121520021#Comment_121520021

Possibly an export threshold, as the token solar panels that was put on (4x300w possibly) is only 1.2kWp.

If its a large install, then that possibly would be noticed much quicker/more of a priority

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121520051#Comment_121520051

You could be right. Most of those systems don't seem to work anyway. 🤔

TOLLOT

See as we are discussing this above ,

i bought a new build house in 2018 . Has a modest system installed by XXX . Circa 1KW.

i contacted them recently requesting an NC6 as getting a smart meter soon and started to read about this whole area .

XXX want a payment for the NC6 .

For the moment I feel that I paid the builder , the builder doubtless paid them so should they be charging?

If anyone could point to a thread with advice of experience I’d be grateful.

AFAiK a few ppl have successfully registered nc6 s recently from them but have not been charged.

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121520290#Comment_121520290

An email to Esbn asking for clarification on installers obligations regarding connecting to the national grid in 2018 is where I'd start.

Forward the reply to the installation company giving them x number of days to normalise the situation. Should do the trick.

Ubbquittious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121519786#Comment_121519786

Did yer man give much resistance, did it go to court? been running unregistered for years albeit without smart meter

AmpMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121520904#Comment_121520904

All I'll say is don't believe everything you read on the internet.

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121520904#Comment_121520904

I don't know sorry, I'll ask again about it. It's also restricted electrical works so you can't really fight it. You can be prosecuted for it.

https://safeelectric.ie/help-advice/controlled-restricted-electrical-works/

graememk

Doesn't need to go to court though, esbn 's network, esbn's rules.

ColemanY2K

I take it there's nothing wrong sticking up the hardware and then getting the spark to do the wiring? For example erecting the ground mount and fixing the panels, laying the ducting etc.

Mr Q

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121521672#Comment_121521672

Best way to do it in my opinion. A lot cheaper than the grant route if you can do all the work bar the AC yourself.

I would also do the DC cables and fit the inverter, just get the RECI to finish.

ColemanY2K

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121521702#Comment_121521702

I have all the hardware (bar the cabling) but the spark who wired the house got cold feet near the end of the job when it came to wiring the solar (hadn't done it before).

I got the number of another registered electrician from a local boardsie who has experience wiring solar so I'll contact him in the new year to see if he'll do it.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121521672#Comment_121521672

I'm sure that you know that if you're doing that and expecting an NC6 off the sparks then you'd be well advised to agree it in advance.