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DIY install

puntypower

Hi I'm looking at options for my solar and obviously I want to make it cheap as I can.

I'm very handy at DIY.

Has anyone here installed their own panels, inverter and battery set up?

I'm thinking of buying all from a supplier and doing it all myself in the early summer.

What's do you think?

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bullit_dodger

Yeah - I did see that recent Will Prowse video where he was saying "Why would anyone buy cells anymore....etc". Interesting video.

Of course it's one thing to have a product out there which gives excellent value/performance, it's another thing to be actually able to get one. The graphic card situation for the last 2 years a good point in case! Those Eg4Batteries have sparked my interest in the past, but can't seem to find a supplier in Europe.

20Kwhr for €2,200, I mean no matter what way you slice/dice it.....that's savage money for that capacity. I could do with it too..... :-)

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118709571#Comment_118709571

Server rack batteries like that are getting v common in the US, (if you have been watching will prowse recently)

and are closing the gap on completely DIY.

That being said, my recent purchase of 20kwh came in at 2270.

Technically i've build 4 batteries now. the 2 original sets of 10kwh and then the upgrade to 20kwh.

It took me about half a day to build the last one. Disassemble old battery, Quick top balance, with added cells, Mount new (stronger) shelf, reassemble the battery, reconnect all bms leads and replace the power cables (upgraded from 10mm2 to 16mm2).

bullit_dodger

Apologizes - I missed that.

Yeah, that certainly would tend to swing the argument in the favor of the prefab's. I did (quickly) have a look though as to how one would go about obtaining one of these batteries. Seems to be unobtainium as far as I can tell. Were you able to get a price/website where you could order one yankinlk?

(I'm not interested in ordering one as I already have a 8.2Kwhr battery - but I'd be curious to know if this was a real option for people other than being a nice advert I did see....

Supply 48V 100Ah Lithium Battery Wholesale Factory - Yangtze Battery Co.,Ltd (member of Yangtze Solar Power Group)

but not sure if it's the same)

yankinlk

@bullit_dodger Scroll up and read post #17 9600KW for ~2000 "buy". Thats a lot closer to the DIY discount.

My plan this year (after spending a long time following the DIY forums) is to see how my new system performs and then check back to the battery market. If the difference is already that small - I will be buying for sure.

Unless I meet someone willing to help me put it all together - i see the build is too risky for my "have a go hero" experience! :)

bullit_dodger

Not sure it's so binary. There are a lot of factors to consider when looking at "Buy verses DIY".

First and foremost, I think the person has to have the basic skillset. Sure, not everyone is an electrical engineer, or just happens to know how to wire up a battery array off the cuff, but many of these things can be learnt from people on this forum, who I've seen time and time again, give excellent info. Or from others like Will Prowse on Youtube,etc. but the "basic skill set" needs to be there. Some "have-a-go-hero" who struggles to wire a 3-pin socket or just understand the fundamentals of electric circuit is just ASKING for trouble. Sure, considering they are ~50V and that in itself (probably) won't kill you, they are relatively safe, but.... you don't want to be accidentally short circuiting one those puppies. Lots and lots of joules = Bad-medicine(tm)!

Then there's the willingness to take on the project it. I could (and still might) make a DIY battery, but as you say, it involved a certain amount of time and effort, and to be honest.....it's just easier to order one premade, like I did myself.

The price equation though is pretty stellar. You mention buying a battery for 2000 verses building one for 1300, but what's missing there is capacity. For 2000 you'll probably get 2.5Kwhr, while the lads in the battery forum are knocking out 10Kwhr for that €1500. To buy an equivalent 10Kwhr prefabricated. you'd be talking ~€5-6K i reckon. That's a significant difference (5x the capacity for the same money)

I'm not endorsing either. I bought a prefabricated one myself, but I certainly can see the appeal of a DIY if you have the skills.

yankinlk

I disagree with you.

I also question both of your statemennts "most of us in the forum built our own" and "the only two viable options are"

Do i have the time to prove that buying a battery for 2000 versus building for 1300 + time + more parts + X factor ?

No. Becuase you have your mind made up already. Please dont push others on the one path only.

unkel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708212#Comment_118708212

Sure. But that could well mean that your battery system will never pay for itself. So what's the point then of installing it?

The only two viable options of having a battery are:

DIY and get cheap parts
SEAI grant install. This option will not be available for ever, is it still even there now FIT is coming?

yankinlk

@Pataman @puntypower Buy versus Build - this is a really great option for the likes of me. I value my time and a warranty much more than getting a battery cheapest.

unkel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118696041#Comment_118696041

That's a very good price for a 10kWh complete system, although most of us in the forum built our own for a good bit cheaper again. Where do you get that price and does it include shipping, import duty and VAT? We typically paid about €1300 plus a few hundred for a BMS and some cables and busbars. All landed including all taxes.

Other question, did you price up your kit with Irish companies like solartricity.ie to see how competitive they were?

And why did you go for a very expensive hybrid inverter if you did not add batteries?

puntypower

48v 200Ah LiFePO4.pdf

2096 dollars

Pataman

Forgot to say they also sell batteries, but I didnt get any details off them.

Pataman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118669741#Comment_118669741

Here you go: https://www.yangtze-solar.com/

bumblebee22

That is very good price, can you pm the seller details if you can not share here.

Pataman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118660995#Comment_118660995

No, when you email them they generally talk to you on whatsapp.

Cardinal Maritime in Dublin organise everything including shipping

[Deleted User]

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118660699#Comment_118660699

Have you a link?

Did they organise shipping and customs clearance

Pataman

The supplier is Yantzse solar in China.

14 Panels @410w each, 5.7kw hybrid inverter, roof brackets, wire etc everything you need.

Delivered to my door for €3500 including all vat, duties carriage etc.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058226147/diy-install

Here's another thread you might find interesting. https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058218819/solar-pv-planning-and-what-to-expect-at-install#latest

puntypower

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118657450#Comment_118657450

Yes pm please with all the details

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058226147/diy-install

A Boardsie has a thread here about self install. https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058166412/self-install-solar-pv/p1

the_amazing_raisin

Out of curiosity has anyone done a partial DIY setup? I'm thinking of getting the panels installed on the roof and wired down to the inverter by a professional and then do the inverter and battery installation myself.

Finally get an electrician to wire into the house and do the certification

I'm not one for heights so I'd much prefer to send someone else up there

[Deleted User]

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118657450#Comment_118657450

Can you give us details on spec cost supplier etc

Pataman

SAVE_20220219_091014.jpg

New toys arrived from China!!

14 panels with all associated roof fittings, inverter etc.

Now just need storm Eunice to bugger off so I can get started.

kabakuyu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058226147/diy-install

Firstly know exactly what you want (size of system,battery or not)and then get at least three quotes from grant approved installers, then price up the equipment you need for a DIY install and also factor in the price of a sparks to commission system and send Nc6 form to ESBN.There are savings to be made by going DIY but weigh up all the factors.

graememk

As you'll also have to pay full retail and 23% vat, but with it installed it's 13.5%

Not saying don't do diy, but price it to be sure.

slave1

Price via an installer first, you will get an idea from the Quotes 2020 and 2022 thread, then price yourself online and see is it worth it. To get the generous grant you will need Approved Installer signoff and that may be your biggest hurdle