Micro Inverters in Ireland

maxymo

Is there any installer working with micro inverters in Ireland? from 8 quotes I have got so far all of them use string inverters and no option to use anything different. It even goes to the point most of them are married to an specific brand of inverter i.e. Solis, not saying it is a bad brand but it is curious the level of "monopoly", 7 of my 8 quotes include this inverter and only 1 with Huawei inverter.

I like the scalability and flexibility of micro inverters, can add more panels without the need of upgrading existing string inverter or adding a second not mentioning the level of monitoring can get with them. All comes with a premium cost but it is not that high comparing to the overall cost of the installation. A 5kW Solis inverter can cost over 1300 euros while 18 micro inverters enphase IQ8 plus can be around 2600, twcie the price, yes but here we are talking about 10% - 20% of the overall cost installers are charging for 6kWp or 7kWp today, for me the extra cost of micro inverters worth the money but my question is; is there any installer in Ireland who offer micro inverters? I haven't found one, maybe is an issue of lack of distributors here?

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058309331/micro-inverters-in-ireland

AFAIK they are still restricted to the new ESBN rules https://www.esbnetworks.ie/new-connections/generator-connections-group/micro-generators- plenty of people on here have used them though.

maxymo

That theory would make sense but I had a looked at at document and doesn't say anything specific about micro inverters unless I have missed something there.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120979106#Comment_120979106

No idea, but I think the the 25 amp limit is covering all types that can feed back to the grid. Maybe someone with more knowledge about the in's and outs like @graememk could help.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120979172#Comment_120979172

Yeah, Its the sum of the output of all inverters connected. I think it was always 25 amps but allowed 6kw inverters up until may of this year.

because 6kw = 240v*25 amps. but the inverter can output 27.5amps peak it now isnt allowed. Anyone who has one can keep what they have.

Now its limited to 230v*25 = 5.75kw, The closest string inverter would be the 5.5kw sunsynk.

So to do a microinverter system, can introduce far more points of failure in a system, which generally is on a roof, and quite in-accessible, Suppose a bit of a faff NC6 wise.

Nelbert

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058309331/micro-inverters-in-ireland

If you are talking about a big initial install of 6-7kWp I don't see the case for micro inverters unless there's complex roof and shading issues to address. As graememk said more failure points for what gain?

As a compliment to an existing install that has a maxed out inverter or to cover a small few panels on a wall or shed they could make sense but you are quickly in to the price of normal grid tie inverters if buying multiple.

maxymo

Yeah, fair points folks, I will go with a single inverter for now, it is much easier to find and cheaper.

10-10-20

You could go with microinverters (MI) mounted under the roof with the DC cables brought through from each panel, that's what I'm considering for my second phase of solar. It means that there is less to go wrong on the roof and the MI are easily replaceable, and if I decide to go for a string-inverter later on, I can still wire it up. I'd still fit the MI onto fireproof backing boards.

On a shaded roof your efficiencys are higher with MI's too, and you eliminate the added cost of optimisers.

DC999

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120980940#Comment_120980940

Clever

DC999

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120979674#Comment_120979674

Micro invertes should help installers to complete the work more quickly. Every house is different so trying to scale their volume of work is very hard. Unless you stand up more roofing and electrical crews.

I watched something on YouTube and they made that argument. If we want a huge % of houses to have solar, doing 3 installs a week per crew can't scale- without huge numbers of crews. Argument seemed to make sense. Our installer was doing 3 installs a week per crew.

Nelbert

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120981065#Comment_120981065

But micro inverters create more electrical work not less..... Instead of each panel going along the string it goes to a micro inverter which then either directly or via a loop if appropriate go back to a circuit breaker.

Seems a very expensive both labour (sparks on the roof) and equipment way of doing a large scale install.

Outside of niche complex roof setups I would have thought the most common usage for micro inverters is initial small scale test the water type installs and supplementary few panels on the shed type installs.... Maybe I'm wrong.

maxymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120980940#Comment_120980940

Yes that is a good idea I hear somewhere before however that will mean more holes in the roof, in my case it is a bungalow so it not hard to get up there for someone who feels confortable to go up. Are you planning to install them yourself or through an installer?

maxymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120982581#Comment_120982581

I was watching yesterday a review from Aussie installer channel called MC Electrical, point out they are not fans of micro inverter but they have their place specially when installing in complicated roofs with different orientations. Although MI are more efficient in some types of shading are actually worse than string inverters in other types of shading so it all depends.

Seems inverters now days with MPTT do much better job than years ago and also panels handle some shading far better than before see half cut panels and shingled panels.

Mr Q

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058309331/micro-inverters-in-ireland

Not familiar with the price of the IQ8 units but there is no way you should be paying anywhere near 1300 for a 5kW non hybrid Solis. Should be able to get one easily for half that price.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120982930#Comment_120982930

I'm thinking of having a solar installer do the panels and just route the cables through the felt. I'll have them push the cables through at the joints so that I don't have holes, there's tonnes of overlap on mine anyway. I'll do the MI's then after that.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120982956#Comment_120982956

Yes, I've a complex roof, so they suit me. Annoyingly the largest count of panels that I can fit on any one roof is about 3.

DC999

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120991594#Comment_120991594

String inverter usually won't suit with only 3 panels. I have that issue and lose production as the string 'wakes up' late and goes to sleep early. Startup voltage from panels is too low to wake string up.

Mr Q

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120992542#Comment_120992542

Some panels such as Panasonic are higher voltage so 3 would be plenty on a string. 2 might even do it.

But not a very common brand here, if they're sold at all anymore.

maxymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120991580#Comment_120991580

I was looking at retail price and so that price, looked again in Google and saw for 1,099. I am sure installers get them at better prices. In regard to price between MI and String inverters, the MI have the advantage of having 25 years warranty, while string inverters without warranty extensions are only 5 or at most a0-12 yers. MI could have easily twice long live compared to MI so the extra price pay off on the long life. In my opinion choosing MI or string inverter should not be based on price but in other factors like type of roof, shadings, flexibility or simplicity.

maxymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120991594#Comment_120991594

At some point It though to do something similar like you but I imagine it was going to be difficult to find an installer to accept that if so they would still charge the same amount as doing a full install but hope you can find a good deal. Are you sure doing that you will still be eligible for grant?

slave1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120993655#Comment_120993655

Still a mad price, 6kW Solis is €650, 5kW would be similar/slightly lower Inverter – Solis Single 6.0kW (solartricity.ie)

Mr Q

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120993655#Comment_120993655

If a micro inverter with a 25 year warranty breaks say in 3 years and they send you a new one. Is the warranty only for the hardware, if so how much will it cost to get someone on the roof each time to replace one?

There are situations where they make sense but they are very rare.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120994533#Comment_120994533

Correct, except where you have a service contract with an installer or the manufacturer has agreed to pay the replacement fee.

I used 4 port microinverters for a diy setup with 6 panels SE on a timber frame, 4 panels on my shed (2 SE and 2 NW), and because I had 2 spare ports I mounted 2 vertically facing West.

MI's make for a very simple install, a single 25 amp supply to an isolator and the inverters then can be wired in series. So simple infact that everything is plug and play, panels plug into inverters and inverters plug into each other. No dc isolators or fireman switch required.

All parts for my install were sourced at my local Kellihers Electrical and Builders Providers.

UnhappyCustomer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058309331/micro-inverters-in-ireland

SolarShare. They look good but not the cheapest one for sure

UnhappyCustomer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120994533#Comment_120994533

The warranty is for the product, not for the labour. Usually, the labour is two years warranty (some offer 5). The price for someone to get up there is something you would need to discuss with the company if the situation arises.