More panels or not?

SD_DRACULA · 18-10-2022 12:56PM #1

I don't like the look of that bland red awning below:

Would look a lot better with 3 panels in landscape me thinks (will save me time painting/cleaning it too 😁)

Any reason not to go for it?

1kwp extra would complement the 3kwp string on the roof quite nicely I believe and will help in the bad months.
Yes not needed in summer as I have a second 4kwp string at the back but that is shaded by the house from now so effectively useless until March.
I assume I can just screw a pair of the rails directly to the house and then the second on the tiles - not sure what king of renusol brackets are needed for these types of tiles though (thes emaybe? https://midsummer.ie/buy/renusol-pitched-roof-mounting/roof-hook-concrete)

DC999 · 18-10-2022 03:07PM

To me, panels are the new ‘must have’ on a house. They are the decking and conservatories of the 2020s 😊

I wouldn’t be bothered what people think they look like – tis you’re electricity bill. You can add 75% more capacity for the poorer months (when the other string at the back is doing nothing).

I was also looking to see could I fit some vertical to the wall on the S side. No space elsewhere. I know the output will be muck in summer (and even a little anlge will help so not 90 degrees) but same as you, it’s more for the darker months. And for a DIY project - just because

Our inverters and fireman switches are on the outside of the house. Better someone else sees them than me seeing them inside every day.

Ubbquittious · 18-10-2022 03:10PM

I'd flatten that cuckoo to make room for more panels and it would look nicer but thats just me.

the_amazing_raisin · 18-10-2022 03:19PM

The answer to "more panels?" is always yes 😁

Padre_Pio · 18-10-2022 03:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119761230#Comment_119761230

More panels is the answer.

What was the question?

SD_DRACULA · 18-10-2022 03:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119761104#Comment_119761104

Why? it would cover the entirety of that roof and on the end I could put a black piece to finish it off and not see the old roof at all.

Would look better than this IRL 😂

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119761188#Comment_119761188

Crossed my mind many-a-times it's not even part of the actual roof itself, it sits on top of the roof but I reckon council might bitch about that.

I could also put 2 panels on that roof which won't cover it fully (5.4m at the widest point) and 1 extra panel beside the only panel in landscape on the main roof but would need to get a roofer for that and doubt that will ever pay off vs me being able to do the lower bit.

Also the fireman switch has just the +/- coming in from the main roof, I assume I could connect these extra panels directly to the free +/- on the fireman switch or would that not join them and I have to wire them into the +/- coming from the roof string?

bullit_dodger · 18-10-2022 05:56PM

Yeah, as you mentioned you could probably fit another 1-2 panels on the very left side of the upper roof too and still have ~20cm to the edge if I'm eyeballing it right.

I don't see any major reason to not do it. I would however note that you are in under the drain pipes. Normally this shouldn't be an issue, but if the drains were clogged and it caused an over flow, that heavy volume of water could be coming down on your panels, and electrics below. Not a huge issue as they are all IP67 rated, but ..... just saying.

I assume you have a house to the left out of picture? (I ask as I was thinking if you had an unobstructed view to the left, some wall mounted panels could also be useful - assuming the wall to the left was south facing? I just "winterised" my south facing ones this week. (Changed the angle so that they are flush to the wall)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/h18m7kd5bd32ds7/2022-10-17%2013.54.13.jpg?dl=0

SD_DRACULA · 18-10-2022 08:08PM

I spoke to my installer and he said he wouldn't be comfortable adding the one panel there or on the small roof either so I'd be DIYing this (in other words he probably couldn't be bothered with such a tiny job)

Never had an issue with the water before and in any case the connections would be neatly tucked under the panels.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119761888#Comment_119761888

Yup, the side gates are to the left, probably 2.5m in between the houses and it's a shame about the shading I could have added loads on the side W facing if it was clear. House is S facing.

I think 2 there and an extra 1 on the roof would look the neatest. Or 2 on the small roof and slap a vertical one in between the windows but it wouldn't look great.

Any of you guys roofers by any chance? 😂

SD_DRACULA · 26-10-2022 12:48PM

Does anyone have any contact details of a roofer/installer that can quickly lash one panel on the roof for me (not in 6 months time)? Cannot see this taking longer than 2 hours.

No luck with mine, guess he can't be bothered for such a small job (even though he should have put that extra panel on there to begin with)

I will sort out the 2 panels on the small roof myself but not sure how to join them with the rest, bring the DC cable inside the attic and join there or go outside and then to the roof and join there?