Cheers, see it now
Have a look
Yep
Its the inverter that limits it to 6kw not the amount of panels.
Single phase 6kw (mainly domestic dwellings)
3 phase 11kw (mainly commercial)
What happens if you're over 6kw as many of you are?
Is the voltage by string displayed on the Solis app?
600v per string, but you have to take cold weather into consideration, - colder it is, the higher the voltage. So a bright freezing day could put the voltage too high, even if your not generating much current.
With the longi 365w panels, 12 panels per string is the limit on a solis inverter.
Yeah, my own installation only last week would flaunt that 12m2 limit. 14 panels at a rough approximation of 1m2 each (they are bigger than 1m2 each) puts it over that 12m2. I'd probably be ok on the 50% side though as I've a one story extension out the back so if counting that roof space I'd be fine.
When i mentioned inverter rating, it wasn't so much the wattage, but the voltage. The panels are usually connected in series, and they have I believe an internal voltage about 38-40V, so stringing 20 of them together could give you 750-800V. Now that's a theoretical max, in reality if you have a east/west split for example you wouldn't see that. Even if all south facing, they'd probably split them into 2x strings of 10 each. But while your inverter might be able to take the watts, it might be limited on the voltage if they went more than 20 panels and it would either require 2 inverters or a higher rated one (more cost). What I don't know is if inverters have 2 strings and is the limit of say 600V per string, or the combined. Dunno.
Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than me can educate me/us.
That is why the query to the installer as they stated that 20no. was the max allowed.
Edit: ESB have a limit of 6kw into the grid so maybe basing it on this figure
The 20 panel limit doesn't exist afaik.
The 12m2 of 50% of the total roof area is a planning limit. SEAI inspections won't fail for that limit afaik.
Yeah, I'm not sure where the 20 panel limit comes from regarding the installation as it is '12m2 of 50% of the total roof area, whichever is lesser' so about 7 panels puts you over the limit.
I dont think installers or the SEAI look at the planning side at all. Its an unwritten rule that it can be ignored. Many here have systems 4-6kWp which would break those planning rules and SEAI grants were provided.
Hi,
Can I get a PM for installer in the Cork area.
An SEAI inspection?
Do they have a limit of the number of panels?
Planning aside.
I'd say it is the 50% rule as I could fit 40 panels on the south facing side of the roof alone. Looking at the inverter specs I'd say 24x340w panels is pushing the limit so this is what I will aim for and get them to extend the mounting rails a couple of meters either side to accommodate extra panels down the line. I'll also get them to mount the rails so that another row can be added when/if things become more advanced and change in the future.
The biggest issues I see with the fitting would have been getting a ripper to remove tiles without damaging any, the rest is just connecting cables and sockets!!!
Have an EV and Eddi just installed so have a use for any excess and I have just fitted a larger cylinder (think fitting panels would be easier) for this purpose.
I came to the same conclusion "the alm". Different people will of course have different viewpoints here. While I'm know my way around a multimeter, and I'm sure I could have done it, the bottom line to me was "Do I want to be going up on my roof multiple times drilling holes for the first time into the very structure which protects my house?". Probably not the project to be "learning as you go" :-)
As for the "they wouldn't fit more than 20 panels", there could be a number of reasons for this. The planning permission exemption for solar installations is not more than 50% of the surface area of your roof and/or not more than 12m2. A stupid rule really that many/most people here will skirt or break, but in terms of the SEAI folks approving the grant the companies don't want to flaunt it too much.
The other reason is (probably) that most inverters have a max dc input of around 600volts. Different inverters have different limits. Depends on your configuration of course, such as if your panels are south or east/west etc you may be limited by this and to go more than 20 panels you may require a 2nd inverter or a higher power rated one.
If it's not too nosey, what's your usage? Anything above 5Kwp is "getting serious" :-) While I think getting as many panels as you can is generally good advice to everyone, you don't want to be paying needlessly to supply the grid 80% of the time either.
Talking to one of the installers for quote received they wouldn't fit more than 20 panels in case there was an inspection afterwards.
I do intend to have the rails extended to allow for fitting extra panels down the line when grant and all has been approved, which they don't have a problem with. It is there reputation to make sure the job is done correctly which I totally understand.
As stated earlier I can't get the figures to stack up other than going with a company doing the whole lot.
Best quote I have got for a 6.8kw system (20 panels) with 5kw battery is €7600 after grant fitted. If I go on to solartricity or midsummer and put that sort of system together the figures work out at approx. €6800 + vat then the cost of fitting them and an electrician to connect and check everything. I could probably haggle a few euro off that price but realistically not enough to warrant doing it myself. Even if fitting myself with zero cost there is the time involved in doing the job (and I love doing jobs like this) and the electrician which would probably be €150-200 assuming it is a straight forward job for him.
You would at least want to knock 1k off getting everything yourself to start seeing any savings.
Still seems very high.
What's your electricity usage in units / year as a matter of interest?
11500 is about a 1000 too high tbh.
The 11500 one?
Don't really go out of date but it's only worth considering if you're car is routinely at home to charge using excess production during daylight hours.
Otherwise a waste of money really.
+1 on that.
Go with the other one for 10500 less grant of 3000
10k after grant;
7.13kW PV system
19x Qcells G9 ML 375w panels,
Solis Hybird inverter (6kW AC, 8kW DC)
4kWh BYD battery system.
What does a Zappi EV charger usually add, I don’t have an EV, but wonder if I should get one installed while I am at it and grants are there?
another way to word it, how quickly is the EV charger technology evolving, and would a Zappi be out of date in a year?
That looks ok. DONT GO FOR A SMALLER BATTERY
You need an optimizer or two, keep an eye on shading on your panels and get them fitted to the ones effected.
Cant DM for some reasion its blocked. DM me
Could someone DM me some recommended installers? I'm in Kildare if it makes any difference. I spoke to one today who told me electric bill would reduce 80-90% without even knowing the orientation or size of my roof! It was pure sales speel so alarm bells rang for me and I also realised I don't know enough about solar to make an educated decision!
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