Domestic Solar PV Quotes 2024 - No PM requests - See Mod note post #1

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123911797#Comment_123911797

Can't have an EPS system without a battery, you have to have a battery. Even a hybrid without a battery it won't run the EPS without a battery. A battery is necessary.

Storms and planned outages are usually predictable so I make sure battery is charged.

Circuit for AC supply, goes consumer unit> AC isolator> NC relay> inverter.

There is an MCB in the sub board beside me he inverter that energises the backup supply back to the changeover switch. When this is energised this opens the contactor and disconnects the inverter from any possibly of receiving its own supply. It is a 2 step process but fool proof.

Manual changeover is then operated at the consumer unit. This then powers the fireman switch which allows the inverter to get power from the panels.

The neutral is switched, but there is a NO contactor in that energises to make the E-N bond when off grid, to keep N at 0v

The fireman switch is a motorised switch that rapidly snaps open and close so it doesn't arc. You hear a whirr and then a clunk of it engaging.

You just have to make sure the battery doesn't empty too much that the inverter shuts down.

Inverter can also charge off other grid tied inverters as long as it can handle the extra power, I know the deye pushes the off grid frequency to 52hz if there's too much power on it's "micro grid" or if the battery is full

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123664715#Comment_123664715

Thanks for that breakdown. Its crazy what installers are charging for something that is not that complex to install. No wonder so many are getting into it.

homewardbound11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123911921#Comment_123911921

the markup is huge now that the grant and zero vat is removed .

deezell

Yes, spot on description. All we need now is a diagram or two (hint). I'd always assumed that an inverter could operate in off grid mode with just panel DC, but a battery is required, which is probably less prohibitive in cost these days. You see off grid inverters with panels advertised for outhouses and camping etc, perhaps these are dedicated devices, or maybe they still require some battery to function. More Reading required.

I've a back up generator hard wired on a two pole changeover switch, so grid is in front of this switch. it a manual or auto switch with grid priority, if both inputs are energised, so if using the genny, the switch will revert to mains when imains returns. During an outage, it remains on the dead mains grid until the genny fires up, whereupon the switch throws to the backup poles of the genny. No fumbling with cables, just walk out to the garage and turn the starter key. Exhaust is ported out through the garage wall. Genny E is neutralised at the consumer unit, so technically mains N has a connection to the Genny E an N at all times, however, the N switching pole on the changeover switch is not redundant, as there is now no N path back through then meter to the grid neutralising point in the meterbox, only via the earth. This ensures that the genny always has its N designated line Neutralised to E, and that no N leakage goes to E via the meter. I'm about to install basic solar, so trying to think ahead for backup, especially as I already have generator autoswitch installed.

Janome

How does this look to people? I use 6200 household units a year. High usage for me is 3 until 7 pm I've an ev now which is using approx 4000 units extra at night rate.

22 panels facing south easterly. None to back.

10.01kW Solar system

Solar Panel Jinko Solar Tiger Neo JKM455N-48HL4M-DB (455W)
22

Inverter LIVOLTEK All-in-one Hyper-5000(A) (5kW)

BER

NC6 application

7800 after Grant.

To add below battery total 9000

Battery Storage LIVOLTEK BLF51-5 (5.12kWh / 4.61kWh usable)

Dr Robert

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123912583#Comment_123912583

A 10kW system and a small battery. Would you be better getting a 15kW battery and filling it nightly on cheap rate and/or with all the excess power?

Why do you need so much power?

You could even split the system onto one off grid with a massive battery. DIY job and would depend on your space and setup. Example, if you have a big shed and appliances in it.

I'd put all the options on the table with such a big array :)

Janome

My household normal usage is 6200 units. Then add the car.

I don't know why I need the system. That's what was quoted.

Another has quoted 20 panels. 11 front 9 at back. 9kw system. A hot water eddi and that a battery makes no sense for us. 8500 is their price and they were the ones wired our house when we built so they are local

KingCong

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123908492#Comment_123908492

Sigen confirmed its supported, see attached their installer guide for it.

Application Note – Instruction of Manual Switch Box Connection V3-5.pdf

oleras

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123913106#Comment_123913106

Thanks for that, my guy told me back in May it was not possible, must get back onto him, looks a lot less complicated and cheaper than their gateway.

Grey123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123907755#Comment_123907755

Thanks for this, the EcoFlow is a good price for me but I am nervous because it doesn't seem to have anywhere near the number of reviews. Thanks for the link although it doesn't feel like its very technical.

"Sigenergy AI is advanced AI in the market, where Ecoflow offers the basic version. We compared them, and Sigenergy AI clearly outperforms Ecoflow. When the dynamic tariff is introduced in Ireland, Sigenergy AI will become the key player, making other products irrelevant and giving them time to catch up."

I had read the opposite somewhere. Does anyone know how things will work with dynamic tariffs? Does any other country have them yet?

I would like the sig manual changeover. It seems like not all will offer this but want to push the gateway or some mentioned a generator. Is that a better option to run the house incl heating? We only go out about once a year for a day or two max.

While I am sure I could get my head around it I don't really want to have to think about electrical stuff, just want some to install correctly and have it work.

ECO_Mental

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123920666#Comment_123920666

I think you need to be doing a bit more research into the whole battery inverter world before diving in...you dont want to get something that you realise later is not for you.

That saying the Sigenergy might be the best for you in that its one stop shop box and they do have the gateway that has a changeover and transfer switch. Disadvantage is that you are now in their ecosystem and you can only use their batteries if you want to expand. They are getting good reviews and if you got one I dont think you'll be disappointed. Dont know have they the facility for generator backup.

If getting one get a battery of 10kWh or more...do you know what your average daily consumption is.

Regarding dynamic tariffs they are coming next summer and I think they will be for the battery enthusiast amongst us here...you could end up getting burned if you dont know what you are at. That saying Sigenrgy do seem to be on top of their software and adapt to all markets. Dynamic tarrifs have been in Europe for years we are probably the last to have them...as usual.

Do some more lurking and research here and elsewhere before you make any decision

deezell

Will dynamic tariffs include things like negative FIT when they don't need it? It will not be to the benefit of consumers. I've yet to see a three tier smart tariff that would save me a cent. Punitive peak rate hammers miserable night rate savings, while the so called off peak day rate is well above 24hr flat rate. I've my smart meter activated, but on a flat rate with flogas, with all three tiers on the bill separately but at the same unit. price. Very few are offering flat rate once you've activated smart billing, so beware. It's extremely easy to pop the three montly readings into a spreadsheet and calculate the difference if the many plans.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123922250#Comment_123922250

Current proposals, for Ireland, doesn't include FIT.

I'm sure though that they will always be optional though.

discostu1

Anyone keeping an eye on Octopus Energy , interesting company

https://octopus.energy/smart/intelligent-octopus-go/

Grey123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123922108#Comment_123922108

My average over say 3-4 summer months is 10kwh per day. The worst two winter months are around 20kwh per day with something in-between for other months. This is due to having an air to water. I have recently bought an EV, it's not incl. in those numbers.

I have found it very difficult to fully research, I have read on here and on Facebook groups. Much of the reviews are from people who either only have one system or are only selling one system. I have 4 or 5 quotes and all obviously say there is the best. There is a lot of conflicting info.

With my 5 quotes I was given quotes for EcoFlow, Sigenergy and Huawei. I think there were different Sig equipment between two. All use different panels (not as important I understand) and I preferred some companies, I liked the idea that it was all in house vs contracted out. Oh and different pricing. The pricing kind of ruled out Huawei. I don't want to forget that the focus is on return and so additional features if they dont offer a better return or warranty will just cut into a return.

Using the battery as a backup (for a low fee) in case of power cut seemed a "no brainer' which brought me to ecoflow, but there is not that much out there on them.

There seems to be a difference of opinion on if that can be done with Sig without the gateway which I was quoted 2k.

I am not sure where either sit on dynamic pricing or if that is important to me.

Sig is starting to seem like the go to option that lots have and I can't go too far wrong with.

kaymin

What do posters think of these quotes:

Blank fields mean I haven't been told the brand / size. I have an EV and I could direct excess solar but should I still get a battery regardless?

Technophobe

Anyone know of any reputable suppliers who will mount these on the ground (instead of the roof) on racks/rail type structures (and maybe also provide said racks) ??

Kaisr Sose

Has anyone got a system with Jollywood 420w panels and a Afore inverter ? I looked through pages of this thread and see quotes. Jollywood panels showing as discontinued on a few sites. Are these old tech at 420w?

My quote is 10 x 420w panels with 5kw Afore for €4,950.

Aquos76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123925026#Comment_123925026

Your first quote there, just to give you a comparison, I had 20 x 445w

panels fitted(10 east and 10 west) a 10.24kw battery, with back up power socket, Solis inverter, hot water Eddy, Ber cert included and also the grant taken off the price by the company (the grant is being paid directly to them) my final price was €10k

SEORG

Can I get opinions on this quote please?

Horay Solar Co.,Ltd.
5.5 kW Total Module Power
12 x 455 Watt Panels (HS455TC-MHC-D)

4.5 kWh of Usable Capacity
SAJ Electric
1 x BU3-5.0 (TV1/TV2)-PRO-BASE

6 kW of Inverter Power
SAJ Electric
1 x HS3-6K-S2-W/G-P

1 x BER Assessment

€8,000 after grant.

deezell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123929840#Comment_123929840

Just shy of ten grand before grant. And its only 5kw to the grid, on days when your panels have 6kw out. The other 1 kW is only available to the wee battery, or an off grid backup output if it has one. I dunno, I've just signed for €3800 after grant for a 5kw string inverter and 18 panels, bog standard install. I'm keeping it simple. With FIT and self consumption it might pay for itself in 3-4 years. I can easily upgrade to a hybrid and 5kw battery for another grand, if I want.

SEORG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123929928#Comment_123929928

This is with €500 discount on top of the grant.

For reference, we have one electric 66kW car & a plug-in hybrid. Got the home charger installed earlier in the year.

We continued on a 24 hr rate for electricity, but I am now reviewing & most likely moving to a smart tariff.

Annual usage will be close to 5,000 kWh in the future.

fitzparker

Complete novice and newbie, can someone tell me if this is a decent deal? Seems the cheapest quote I got
(Energyserv)

Battery Free this month as an offer - we use 5000 units a year

Solar Panels

PEIMAR

5.4 kW Total Module Power

12 x 450 Watt Panels (OR10H450MNDB (FB))

5,070 kWh per year

Battery

Dyness

5.12 kWh Total Battery Storage

1 x DL5.0C

5G RHI Hybrid Inverter - 1PH DC (3-6kW)

5kW of Inverter Power   

SOLIS

1 x RHI-5K-48ES-5G 

5.0 -year Standard Warranty

BER and grant included - €6200

deezell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123929947#Comment_123929947

I've a 24hr flat rate, but its a smart tariff, the bill is itemised into the three tiers, but all at the same rate.

Solar is most likely to displace grid consumption either side of midday, and the battery should shift much of the peak evening rate, if it gets enough of the day generation. If you hadn't activated your smart meter and are still getting bills with just one reading, you can still press the buttons on the meter are write down the total and split consumption, T1, T2 and T3. Keep a record, or just take the three readings as youraverage since your meter was installed. Work out the %, and see does a three tier rate save you anything.

My night, day and peak are 15.5%, 67.25% and 17.25% over 30 months. None of the smart rates I checked cost less than the flat rate, they actually cost a lot more, as the only rate that was less is night, which is a trivial saving and doesn't offset the big jump on day and peak in a smart plan. Don't even mention timing dishwashers and laundry, life's too short.

I'll wait till I see how the % are with the solar, especially winter. It might be worth the smart tariff, and with an EV in winter its probably a must to night charge, as 12 panels on a dull January afternoon might just about keep the lights on and the fridge running.

OfflerCrocGod

Just download your smart meter data from esbnetworks.ie and put it into myenergypal or kilowatt .ie websites and they'll tell you which tariff is best for your current usage.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123930054#Comment_123930054

1k for hybrid and battery isnt too bad. How much for just the hybrid itself?

Would make adding a battery down the line trivial vs an inverter swap. (although id make sure the hybrid could take any 48v battery!)

If you can put ikea furniture together, you can put one of them 15kwh battery kits together without issue.

Although id agree on the 24 hr rate, If you dont have a battery for load shifting or an ev, switching to a TOU tariff is likely not going to be worth it. - And for a switching site to be able to show a saving you'd need to be already doing the load shifting for it to show any savings

deezell

He threw a figure of an extra €400, so I didn't bite yet, I'm fairly sure the difference is about €225 from Midlands. If I went for it, I'd do the battery myself. I'll tease it out in the next while, but if I can displace our daylight consumption and get a pile of FIT in the peak months, that'd be a result that together could wipe my annual consumption cost for minimum investment and no maintenance. I don't want to make a hobby out of it, though I enjoy the tech involved and the discussion. Like the MB56 cells and kit on Off Grid Garage. 32KWh for about €2000 plus vat delivery and duties. A single cell has 2Kwh! About €96 each before extras

deezell

Actually, mentioning IKEA, the MB560 cells have a volume of 5.2 litres, 5210cc. You'd fit 40 of them in a standard under counter IKEA 60cm press! A week's backup power.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123931050#Comment_123931050

You'd have to reinforce it!

jsd1004

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123931707#Comment_123931707

Have of quote of 9k for 10kwp system.Off grid changeover included. New build no grant. 10kwh battery optional for 3k. Is the David Hunt solar site outdated at this stage. Quotes are coming in 25%