Did we make the right choice in our Solar PV?

Just1ce4all

Hi all,

I just gave the go ahead for a PV install, total cost for 10 x 435w Jinko Panels, Huawei Sun2000 5KLT inverter No battery as my god are they expensive! The cost of this install is €7500, The back Garden is South facing and we have room for 14 Panels Max, but the price of 14 panels was close to 10k so I opted for the 10 panel option 4.35KpH in total.

We cant get the SEAI grant as its a new build house, I believe when the MPRN is added for micro generation it will automatically upgrade the BER from A2 to A1?

We've also only just moved into this house about 5 weeks ago our - its our first home :) but it has a heat pump system a Mitsubishi Ecodan, and I've heard some horror stories about HPs costing a fortune in the winter and I want to try and offset energy prices as much as I can.

I also work from home on fairly power hungry computers and wife is the same with regards to working from home, Would love some advice on this like did we get a get deal for 10 panels at €7500 - I spoke with 10+ installers and it was the cheapest price we could get from a reputable company.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058318876/did-we-make-the-right-choice-in-our-solar-pv

BER's arent automatically updated, but as you arent going for a grant you dont need to do one either.

As for the heatpump, Have a read of the manual for it and swing by the heat pump thread, usually some tweaking is needed depending on how well it was initially configured.

rodge68

There is a good group on Facebook called Irish Solars Owners Group, who might help you..

slave1

There is no way on earth than an extra 4 panels and larger inverter is +€2.5k.

The single greatest regret in the PV world is not installed the full compliment of panels. Talk to your installer, max €1k extra and that is being extremely generous, probably looking at just over half that in actual costs

cython

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121261723#Comment_121261723

My understanding is that the OP won't be permitted a larger inverter for microgeneration under the NC6 conditions, though in theory a battery with the inverter specced would be one way to leverage the increased kWp of the 14 panels, as those Huawei inverters are capable of outputting 5kW to each of battery and A/C (grid/house) at the same time.

I don't disagree with the general principle of maxing out the panels though, but they need to consider how to access/avail of the extra production capacity (assuming they can hit a peak on a sunny day since all panels are on one aspect), otherwise 12 panels might be a better balance in maxing the inverter supply without too much beyond that

Buffman

Personally I'd haggle hard with them to get the 4 extra panels as cheaply as possible and max out your roof. 4.35kW on a 5kW inverter just seems like a waste when you're going to all that expense anyway.

A quick specs check show the max solar that inverter can take in is 7.5kW so it would be well able for the 6.1kW of 14 panels on the rare occasions it's maxed out. Any clipping would be negligible in Ireland and if in the future you do decide to add a battery it will be all the better.

(If you're unfamiliar with clipping, it's when on a rare perfect day for the short period of time when the sun will line up perfectly to max out the panels, the inverter maintains its max 5kW output even though the panels will be giving it a bit more, thus staying within the NC6 limits.)

Just1ce4all

Thanks for the advice all, it seems like all the solar places I've contacted are charging HUGE money after 10 panels, 4.35 seems to be the sweet spot sadly :( I hope in a few years its going to get a bit cheaper,

I've asked to be changed from Huawei to SoFar as the Huawei battery prices are just insane! I also want to install pylontech batteries in the future, has anyone got resources on how that is done? the Inverter is a 5Kwh Hybrid SoFar

slave1

They will likely cut the rails they are fitting to your roof for neatness, tell them not to if that's the case so it's much easier for you to look into adding 4 panels in the near future.

Don't go near Pylontech, have a read of the last 4/5 pages of this thread where you can get much higher capacity battery at more economical sense

10kWh LifePO4 DIY Battery Addition..... Here is my write up. - Page 41 — boards.ie - Now Ye're Talkin'

yankinlk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121262625#Comment_121262625

If he has a missus that idea will never fly! Max out the panels. I bought extra the day my installers arrived... Whatever they had in the van!

bullit_dodger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121262608#Comment_121262608

Nahh, you're being mislead there. It's generally the complete opposite. bigger systems (generally) have higher economies to scale.

Why? Well, it costs money to get 2 guys to come out and put up 6 panels on a roof. It costs roughly the same money to get the same 2 guys to come out and put up 10 panels. (Leaving the cost of the actual panels aside) Same with the inverter. You buy a 5Kw inverter which can work with 10 panels, same inverter will work with 14 or 16 panels. No change in cost.

If you haven't actually gone ahead, I'd be trying to renegotiate or use your consumer rights and your 14 days etc to back out of that deal.

There is a good thread for quotes and feedback, I'd highly encourage you to read say the last 3-4 months. Yeah, I know it can be a bit of a thrawl going through pages and pages, but you will learn a lot and you will get a better "feel for the market".

Domestic Solar PV Quotes 2022 - No PM requests - See Mod note post #1 - Page 195 — boards.ie - Now Ye're Talkin'

Just1ce4all

I backed out of the deal, the company started changing the panels etc when I insisted on a SoFar system, So I pulled the cord so to speak, I'm looking at other companies now,

I have a guy coming next week to mesure up and he recommends the Solax hybrid inverter, but I cant find any info about DIY batteries with that inverter, I would like to install a Seplos Mason myself to cut down on costs and get way more for the money. Any info on this inverter would be much apreciated.

Just1ce4all

Hi all,

So I'm at the start of my solar journey, I'm looking for the right company / equiptment, I pulled out of a deal recently as the company only wanted to install Huawei Inverter and I did not want any Huawei system due to lack of support for DIY batteries,

I'm now speaking with another installer and they recommend the Solax Hybrid inverter but I cant really find any info about DIT batterys for them, I seem from the Data sheet it supports Lead Acid / Lithium-ion battery with a voltage range between 80/480 with a max continious charge or 30amps, the DIY battery I was looking to install would be a Seplos Mason. I know this installer will also do SoFar if I want just need to confirm

Thanks for any advice

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121281576#Comment_121281576

(I've totally changed what I've originally replied with)

Solax use " high voltage batteries" generally their own version.

Weco batteries support putting them in series for HV applications. Not sure if solax supports them though.

Usually it's solax or lg batteries (but I think solax is just rebranded LG)

munsterfan2

That voltage range looks too high for a DIY battery - that is also the issue with the Huawei. DIY battery generally consist of 16 LiFePo4 cells which operate between 2.8v and 3.65v with the main charge released at 3.2v so approx 52v.

irishchris

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058319557/solax-diy-battery-question

Max continuous charge of 30 amps would make this a non runner for diy battery too

Buffman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121281576#Comment_121281576

Are you any good at DIY?

https://www.donedeal.ie/tools-for-sale/brand-new-solis-5kw-hybrid-diy-kit/35324650

Battery and installation are offered as extras but might be worth consideration.

Sligobuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058319557/solax-diy-battery-question

The Solax Hybrid Inverter you referenced is most likely one that uses the high voltage Solax Batteries.

The Solax Triple Power LFP batteries that are used run at Nom Voltage at 115.2v = (115.2v / 3.2v) = 36 cells. 3 of these batteries can be used in series with a total capacity of about 16kwh.

Better to go with a Sofar Hybrid EP Inverter if you want to go with cheaper home build 48v battery packs.

AmpMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121282934#Comment_121282934

Hi Chris,

Can I ask why this is ?

I'd love to go down the DIY route myself but my inverter battery voltage range is 80v - 480v with max charge/discharge 25/25A.

The savings on a DIY battery are so great I could buy a new inverter and still come out on top 😑

Big Lar

@Just1ce4all Why go against the grain and would it be just easier to ask the installer to supply an inverter that supports 48v battery ?

slave1

I don't disagree with your comment but after a few years in this PV world the knowledge of installers is basic at best and far better support from randomers on this forum

unkel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121282934#Comment_121282934

30A * 480V = 14.4kW

That's more power than even the likes of me or @graememk need or even yourself? 😂

I do go with the others in not recommending you make a 480V DIY battery though. Just make your installer pick one of the many inverters that can work with 15S or 16S (preferably both) 48V batteries. You can then still decide at any point to pick an off the shelf battery or to make your own

10-10-20

This 80 to 480v DC battery lark is new to me - it seems to be a new battery type defined as a "high voltage lithium battery".

Seems as you add modules, the voltage goes up. So the modules are added in series rather than in parallel like you would have with a common-or-garden Pylontech. Example here of a BYD battery:

https://www.europe-solarstore.com/download/byd/BYD-Battery-Box-H6.4-H11.5-datasheet.pdf

Not sure many will be DIYers want to be exposed to greater than 50v DC... nevermind 500v DC. hmmm

John mac

i have a solax hybrid . was only after it was installed i found out the general 48V diy battery wouldnt work on it.

ended up i got a sofar me3000 . now have a 20kwh battery hooked up to the system ... bit of a waste not utilizing the hybrid but them's the breaks ,

can always add a triple power battery down the line ... (if i won the lotto .. )

unkel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121288319#Comment_121288319

Sell the Solax hybrid for good money (should fetch well over €1000) and buy a second hand Solis 6kW standard inverter. I bought one early this year I think for €200. Invest your profit into more batteries. Or just waste it on a few nice dinners with the missus 😁

irishchris

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121287834#Comment_121287834

Ah sorry my mistake I thought it was a 48v standard. Will teach me for not reading op properly

Just1ce4all

Thanks for the info all, I'm going to ask for a SoFar or Solis interverter, just because I can get way more battery for the money, I'm looking into the Seplos Batterys and would love to get advice on the cells etc, and it seems the BMS on the Seplos might not be great :(

Just1ce4all

The house is already on a smart plan sadly :( but it is what it is

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121290200#Comment_121290200

Id put sunsynk on that list too.

Just1ce4all

@Buffman I see from that Advert the person also can do the install? Do you know if they can tie it to the Grid also? as its a great deal!

Buffman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121290236#Comment_121290236

I don't know for sure on the installs, I think he has a sparks who does all the required AC work/paperwork. I've bought stuff from him before and all was good.

Just1ce4all

@Buffman Dude this guy is legit! seems like I'll be going with him!! my Nephew is going to do the internal cabling he is a sparks and is already doing some work for me in the house, so he is going to leave the Cat6 + SWA 6mm2 3core for the solar also in the main fuseboard, so all that needs to be connected is the inverter and panels :) might even get a 10kWh battery as his prices are VERY fair!

Buffman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121291687#Comment_121291687

Sounds like you're all set so, your sparks nephew could probably do all the required AC work and NC6 paperwork if you want to get FIT. It is fairly simple and most inverter manuals are very good at showing you how to connect up correctly.

Just1ce4all

My Newphew is going to install the 32A RCBO and cable + Cat 6 - Honesly the Sparks who comes on site will have a piss easy job as most of the hard work is already being done :( if I knew a roofer I would ask them to install the panels are the quotes I'm getting are just silly, the price of the gear is actually very affordable the installers are just taking the piss if you ask me.

Just1ce4all

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121290236#Comment_121290236

They can tie to Grid he has a sparks that does the NC6 Form, I'm waiting for a quote from him, my nephew is actually doing all the AC work anyway as I'm getting an office build and he has to pull a 10mm SWA cable from the board so its simple for him to add 1 extra cable and a Cat6, its just a 6mm twin and earth 32A RCBO and a Cat6 for the CT clamp, I mean the hard part is the roofing of the panels but the Electrical should be piss easy.

Just1ce4all

Hi all,

sorry for all the spam, just got a quite from ********** for 10 JA Panels 415W / 5kWh Solis inverter for 6.5k seems like the best price so far!! I would prefer the 430/435W panels we can fit 14 panels on our roof but my budget right now might not strench that far.

Modnote, can't name suppliers.

staples7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121291687#Comment_121291687

Would he sell batteries and add them on after solar is installed?

Just1ce4all

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121303543#Comment_121303543

Ya I asked him the same thing, its fairly simple but I'm sure he will for a fee, as he would need to travel and connect it up

slave1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121302054#Comment_121302054

Don't lay a CAT6, they are cheap as chips, lay at least 3 of them

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058318876/did-we-make-the-right-choice-in-our-solar-pv

Heatpumps are expensive in the winter alright but more that they are expensive v the summer, overall compared to someone who is paying for electricity and gas/oil or other your heating costs should be lower, that said having solar is great, although highest production is at a time when your HP consumption is lowest!

staples7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121304167#Comment_121304167

Ive reached out to him basically your looking at E1500 per 5KWH, add E250 for installation

So 15KWH = E4750. (+250 for a cabinet if required)

Im currently looking at that price for 10kwh with regular solar installer

Thoughts? Any risks to operating battery install, I guess warranty is with Pylontech.

Model US5000

Just1ce4all

The US5000 is perfectly safe little to no fire hazard with a LiFePO4 battery, I'm looking to do the same myself, I'm thinking of getting the panels installed and getting him to install the batterys after the fact as he has very little installs done, and the last thing I want in a new house is a roofing issue :( so peace of mind I might get a well known installer and get the batt from him.

He also does a 15Kwh battery its very large but that might be more cost effective as its 2.3k

Buffman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121302146#Comment_121302146

If you can stretch to the extra 4 panels it will be money well spent to max out your roof space. That would be 5.81kW and the 5kW Solis is ideally suited to it. Any clipping will be minimal.

Also, I see he is selling 2nd hand 450w Longi for €90 each if that's a possible option for you. Personally I'd have zero issues using them as long as you don't mind that they're not black. 14 of them would give a very nice 6.3kW array.

https://www.donedeal.ie/tools-for-sale/second-hand-longi-450w-solar-panels/35439960

Just1ce4all

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121306290#Comment_121306290

Do you know a good roofer in Cork, as if I can get the panels done myself and get the electrics by an installer I would, as the cost of install is just insane considering you can buy Jinko Panels for under €160 each brand new including VAT

staples7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121304411#Comment_121304411

Good stuff, keep me posted as it sounds like we could go same route.

Any idea of the model of the 15kwh battery?, his quote to was just 3 X 5kwh.

Mine would be a relatively easy install in plant room downstairs. no dragging them up to attic.

Should have my panels installed in 4 weeks

Just1ce4all

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121306767#Comment_121306767

Hi mate it seems to be a DIY batt, but LifePO4 cells so risk of fire and stuff is beyond low compated to Litium batts - https://www.donedeal.ie/tools-for-sale/brand-new-14-5kwh-lifepo4-battery-solis-compatable/35440047 - 2800 for 14.5kWh

staples7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121309267#Comment_121309267

Good value but don't think id go down that route..

Buffman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121306375#Comment_121306375

Why not ask that chap for a price for panel/roof install only or an 'all in' install? Any REC can do the NC6 so your sparks relation can do all the AC stuff.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121302054#Comment_121302054

Just a heads up on the RCBO, use the manufacture recommended one as using a 'normal' 30mA one will probably lead to nuisance tripping. Normally a 100mA is recommended on Solar but check when you finalise the inverter model.

Just1ce4all

Has anyone any experience witn SAJ? as I'm looking at getting that inverter over the Solis simply because of the 5.5kWh option as Solis does not have this :(