Domestic Solar PV Quotes 2020

PGL · 24-05-2021 08:42PM

championc wrote: »

Why so few ?

Two reasons:

1) the attic will soon be converted resulting in 2 new velux windows on the main south facing roof, and one new velux on the smaller east facing roof
2) its a hip roof, so less space than a more standard shaped roof

adrian92 · 24-05-2021 09:09PM

graememk wrote: »

Usually does mean a new cable back to the consumer unit.

Although with small inverters, it could be possible to tie into a socket circuit (load wise) have no idea where that stands in the regs.[/quoteT

Thanks, it is a proposed 2.25 kW peak installation, so maybe ok to connect to an existing socket circuit. I couldn't find anything definitive about the interface requirements
Anyway, thanks for your help

PGL · 24-05-2021 09:19PM

slave1 wrote: »

Was gonna say same, you need more panels to make diverting sense

The salesman for quote 1 said that 3kWp was a "sweet spot" for typical 3/4 bed semi-d houses without batteries, which I would be able to meet with 6 panels on the south facing roof and 2 on the east facing roof. There might be scope for 1 additional panel on the east facing roof, but I won't know this until the velux window is fitted. There would also be scope for probably 4 additional panels (2 east and 2 west) on the single storey extension to the rear, but I would imagine yield would not be as good, and I would prefer to avoid fitting panels on this lower roof if possible as it would be in the full view of my next door neighbours.

slave1 wrote: »

I’m not sure about a string with just two panels, they need to generate a minimum charge before they “turn on” the inverter.....

none of the salesmen have mentioned this being an issue, but as mentioned above, there might be scope for a further panel on the east roof

slave1 wrote: »

what’s wrong with front facing roof, during the good months of the year you will gain plenty of power from even a N facing roof, particularly in the mornings.

Seriously? There would be ample space on the front north facing roof, as it won't have any velux windows. However I've given it no consideration up to now, and none of the numerous salesmen I have spoken to suggested it either....

slave1 wrote: »

First quote the best in any case.

its the best quote I have got, but do people think it is a good quote based on what is included?

adrian92 · 24-05-2021 09:34PM

Deagol wrote: »

Would be very surprised if you can tie into existing circuit. You should surely have an entirely separate MCB for the solar as it’s a piece of equipment? But would be good if we have a qualified sparks to answer for certain.

Thanks, Yes It would be good to find out if can connect to a socket circuit or if a separate cable required to the meter position. I would have thought a separate cable would be required - perhaps someone knows the answer.

MAULBROOK · 24-05-2021 09:47PM

adrian92 wrote: »

Thanks, Yes It would be good to find out if can connect to a socket circuit or if a separate cable required to the meter position. I would have thought a separate cable would be required - perhaps someone knows the answer.

On less its a major pain in running a 6sq cable but it sounds a little ropey just using the socket.

Run a cable.

v10 · 25-05-2021 12:26PM

v10 wrote: »

I got a quote today for

10 X Monocrystalline Solar Panel 325w
1 X Solis 4G Series Inverter
Free Panel Monitoring and Surveillance System

€6,325.00 after €1800 grant

or €10446.00 for a 20 panel system after €1800 grant

20 Panel would provide approx 50% of my annual use apparently but roof will unlikely have space for much more than the 10 Panel system.

Based on other quotes I'm seeing here, this quote seems very expensive. What do you think ?

Update: Since my original post, I've now had 4 more quotes, the following is the best of them ...

10 x 340w Panels
4kw Hybrid Inverter
4kw Battery
Wifi Dongle for Monitoring etc
No hot water diverter as I already have hot water covered

€7000 less grant of €2820 = €4180. Happy with that I think ..

deravarra · 25-05-2021 06:55PM

Query about something I am not 100% sure of after being told this by an installer:

If you get a battery and have an EV car - when you charge at night, your battery will deplete first.
My contra to him was: can't you set the car to draw from mains power only - making use of low night rates...

But I was thinking of it again, and by the time I would be thinking about timing my late night charge, it would be at a time when nothing else would be using electricity anyways - or just a minimal amount.

Thoughts anyone?

championc · 25-05-2021 11:22PM

deravarra wrote: »

Query about something I am not 100% sure of after being told this by an installer:

If you get a battery and have an EV car - when you charge at night, your battery will deplete first.
My contra to him was: can't you set the car to draw from mains power only - making use of low night rates...

But I was thinking of it again, and by the time I would be thinking about timing my late night charge, it would be at a time when nothing else would be using electricity anyways - or just a minimal amount.

Thoughts anyone?

If you do not want to waste battery power when charging the car at night, you need to be mains charging the battery at that time. You should hopefully be able to set a schedule to charge between hh:mm and hh:mm with 0w. This would neither charge nor discharge.

portbilly · 26-05-2021 01:17AM

v10 wrote: »

Update: Since my original post, I've now had 4 more quotes, the following is the best of them ...

10 x 340w Panels
4kw Hybrid Inverter
4kw Battery
Wifi Dongle for Monitoring etc
No hot water diverter as I already have hot water covered

€7000 less grant of €2820 = €4180. Happy with that I think ..

@V10, I'm very interested in your last quote I've a PV 'engineer' calling today for survey not the '8` wondering if you could PM me supplier details I'm in Midlands,, thanks

graememk · 26-05-2021 07:51AM

deravarra wrote: »

Query about something I am not 100% sure of after being told this by an installer:

If you get a battery and have an EV car - when you charge at night, your battery will deplete first.
My contra to him was: can't you set the car to draw from mains power only - making use of low night rates...

But I was thinking of it again, and by the time I would be thinking about timing my late night charge, it would be at a time when nothing else would be using electricity anyways - or just a minimal amount.

Thoughts anyone?

So battery power is mains power for all intended purposes.

If the car pulls 7kw, and the battery can output 3, the battery will put out 3 and the grid will make up 4.

Although if there is a small battery, its unlikely that there will be much left in it by the time the car goes to charge.

That or as championc says, setup the inverter to not discharge on night rate.

Niceday20 · 26-05-2021 09:53AM

graememk wrote: »

So battery power is mains power for all intended purposes.

If the car pulls 7kw, and the battery can output 3, the battery will put out 3 and the grid will make up 4.

Although if there is a small battery, its unlikely that there will be much left in it by the time the car goes to charge.

That or as championc says, setup the inverter to not discharge on night rate.

I have just had a solar system installed (Solax hybrid inverter + DC battery) adding to an existing zappi charger and been faced with this problem.

Whilst during the day the zappi can be configured to use 100% green (i.e. from solar) and an export margin ensuring there is always surplus to avoid battery drain, this does not work overnight.

As championc and graememk say, I have been using Solax's "Force Time Use" work mode to disable the battery during the time the EV is charging overnight on the night rate tariff with some success, but it is down to me to remember to change the "work mode" from "self use" to "force time use".

Having checked this with Solax, their recommendation was putting the EV charger on a separate board whereby the modbus meter that measures import is not picking up the load of the EV therefore it will not discharge.

deravarra · 26-05-2021 02:45PM

Niceday20 wrote: »

recommendation was putting the EV charger on a separate board whereby the modbus meter that measures import is not picking up the load of the EV therefore it will not discharge.

Thats the very same advice I got in relation to battery and EV

Scoopsire · 26-05-2021 03:44PM

v10 wrote: »

Update: Since my original post, I've now had 4 more quotes, the following is the best of them ...

10 x 340w Panels
4kw Hybrid Inverter
4kw Battery
Wifi Dongle for Monitoring etc
No hot water diverter as I already have hot water covered

€7000 less grant of €2820 = €4180. Happy with that I think ..

Could you PM me the details of the installer please?

championc · 26-05-2021 09:00PM

Niceday20 wrote: »

Having checked this with Solax, their recommendation was putting the EV charger on a separate board whereby the modbus meter that measures import is not picking up the load of the EV therefore it will not discharge.

If I understand correctly, you'd therefore need you zappi between the meter and the consumer unit / split off before all of your house MCB's. So by the sound of it, the Solax only discharges when it sees import, which is a bit strange rather than it being "on tap" so to speak, and I'm not sure that I believe it TBH.

Electricity is drawn from the source with the highest voltage. An inverter sets its AC output a few volts higher than the grid voltage - albeit when it's coming from PV or from battery. So in my opinion, it sounds a bit odd that any system would use a modbus meter to decide to output current. It's not pushed from an inverter, it's pulled by the house load, until it's depleted.

graememk · 26-05-2021 09:30PM

championc wrote: »

If I understand correctly, you'd therefore need you zappi between the meter and the consumer unit / split off before all of your house MCB's. So by the sound of it, the Solax only discharges when it sees import, which is a bit strange rather than it being "on tap" so to speak, and I'm not sure that I believe it TBH.

Electricity is drawn from the source with the highest voltage. An inverter sets its AC output a few volts higher than the grid voltage - albeit when it's coming from PV or from battery. So in my opinion, it sounds a bit odd that any system would use a modbus meter to decide to output current. It's not pushed from an inverter, it's pulled by the house load, until it's depleted.

Its the same for all grid tied storage inverters, It monitors the Import/Export and then adjusts accordingly, The Sofar, Solis and Solax all work on the same principles.

Sure it raises the voltage higher, but only enough to keep the balance.

Having the EV charge point coming out at the meter would make this very handy. The zappi will still work fine, because its CT's will be just after the meter.

borus22222 · 26-05-2021 10:11PM

Scoopsire wrote: »

Could you PM me the details of the installer please?

Hi, would you please forward details for the installer?
Ta!

Alkers · 26-05-2021 11:47PM

v10 wrote: »

Update: Since my original post, I've now had 4 more quotes, the following is the best of them ...

10 x 340w Panels
4kw Hybrid Inverter
4kw Battery
Wifi Dongle for Monitoring etc
No hot water diverter as I already have hot water covered

€7000 less grant of €2820 = €4180. Happy with that I think ..

That's possibly the best price for a battery system we've seen, and not just a 2.4kWh pylontech to boot.

1.23e per w installed, along with a hybrid inverter and 4kW battery.

portbilly · 27-05-2021 02:01AM

Scoopsire wrote: »

Could you PM me the details of the installer please?

@Scoopsshire, thanks for all your comments and work re quotes any chance you could PM your "happy with quote" supplier I'm in Laois

adrian92 · 27-05-2021 08:11PM

Does anyone know if it is ok to install a PV system with no SEAI or registered installers involved.

Can I install myself or would that be against some rule ?

MAULBROOK · 27-05-2021 08:20PM

adrian92 wrote: »

Does anyone know if it is ok to install a PV system with no SEAI or registered installers involved.

Can I install myself or would that be against some rule ?

Of you go, your gaff, Your call

Bobby04 · 27-05-2021 08:35PM

v10 wrote: »

Update: Since my original post, I've now had 4 more quotes, the following is the best of them ...

10 x 340w Panels
4kw Hybrid Inverter
4kw Battery
Wifi Dongle for Monitoring etc
No hot water diverter as I already have hot water covered

€7000 less grant of €2820 = €4180. Happy with that I think ..

Would you mind sending me supplier details by PM please?

KCross · 27-05-2021 08:45PM

adrian92 wrote: »

Does anyone know if it is ok to install a PV system with no SEAI or registered installers involved.

Definiteiy no problem with that.
In fact anyone that doesnt qualify for the grant (houses occupied since 2011) would be going that route anyway.

adrian92 wrote: »

Can I install myself or would that be against some rule ?

It would be against electrical regulations to be messing with the consumer unit. You are supposed to use registered electricians for that and you are also supposed to fill-in an NC6 form and send it to ESB to let them know you are connecting Solar PV to their network and that requires an electrician signature too.

Nothing wrong with you doing the non-electrical work yourself though.

championc · 27-05-2021 10:40PM

adrian92 wrote: »

Does anyone know if it is ok to install a PV system with no SEAI or registered installers involved.

Can I install myself or would that be against some rule ?

You absolutely can. Several of us on here have done so.

However, you need to file an NC6 Form with ESB Networks. It doesn't need to be signed off by anyone but a sparks must be nominated on it. The approval letter goes to the sparks.

JJ O Malley · 28-05-2021 12:09AM

blue note wrote: »

I'm looking at these at the moment. If anyone wants to PM me the name of an installer that they'd be happy to recommend I'd appreciate it. I'm based in Portmarnock.

I'm a complete novice looking at this and have just called one place so far. Roughly speaking after the grant he was talking about roughly €4,500 for an 8 panel system with a diverter (no battery). To add a battery and another 4 panels I think it was going to between 6 and 8 thousand after the grant.

I suppose I'll phone a few and get a proper idea of how they compare.

Crazy price. I just got a 6kw system installed with a 2.4kw battery and an eddi hot water diverter for 5530€ with a hub for monitoring. Delighted with the system. Its working really well and we generally have enough hot water for our needs although I'm planning to buy a bigger cylinder as the current one is not optimal.

Saving money on electricity and not used oil since installed. Its a no brainer for me. Also more comfort as with all the surplus we sometimes use the tumble dryer rather than just give away the surplus. We are now getting just 3kw per day on average from the grid. Amazing I think!

PM me if you or anyone wants details of the installer. Oh, it took 2 full days to install plus a couple of shorter visits.

Cheers
John

28-05-2021 01:00AM

Breakdown of my recent installation.

15* 380w panels (5.7 kW system)
5 KW Solis Hybrid inverter.
AC/DC Cables/Firemans switch etc
1 Pylon 2.4 kw battery & bracket.
Smappee Installation
Inverter Dongle

Net Cost after grant €4200. (Grant = €3000)

Up and running almost 3 weeks, Very happy so far.

borus22222 · 28-05-2021 07:03AM

I'm trying to find out who was a installer provided that last quote given to V10.. anyone managed to get the details of that installer?

Scoopsire · 28-05-2021 07:19AM

6 wrote: »

Breakdown of my recent installation.

15* 380w panels (5.7 kW system)
5 KW Solis Hybrid inverter.
AC/DC Cables/Firemans switch etc
1 Pylon 2.4 kw battery & bracket.
Smappee Installation
Inverter Dongle

Net Cost after grant €4200. (Grant = €3000)

Up and running almost 3 weeks, Very happy so far.

Would you mind sharing the installer via PM please?

28-05-2021 07:49AM

borus22222 wrote: »

I'm trying to find out who was a installer provided that last quote given to V10.. anyone managed to get the details of that installer?

Scoopsire wrote: »

Would you mind sharing the installer via PM please?

Done

Silent Running · 28-05-2021 08:20AM

6 wrote: »

Done

Me too please.

magicEye · 28-05-2021 02:30PM

6 wrote: »

Breakdown of my recent installation.

15* 380w panels (5.7 kW system)
5 KW Solis Hybrid inverter.
AC/DC Cables/Firemans switch etc
1 Pylon 2.4 kw battery & bracket.
Smappee Installation
Inverter Dongle

Net Cost after grant €4200. (Grant = €3000)

Up and running almost 3 weeks, Very happy so far.

can i please get the details of the installer too, by PM? thanking you

Domestic Solar PV Quotes 2020

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