Solar for Dummies.

I'm still looking for ideas on this, if anybody has some input?

I cut the tile today to see where we are with the Vario 2 hook:

It's sitting wayyyy too high and the tile is lifted on the right of the photo. I can't dish the underside of the tile to fit the arm of the Vario 2 as I'd be cutting deeply into the 1cm of tile body. Bending the arm isn't an option as it's a compound bend (z-shaped) and the steel is about 5mm thick.

I'm sure you watched this but just in case https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&hs=Lkx&tbm=vid&q=fitting+a+Vario+2+pantile+hooks+youtube&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwizu-jL3qX_AhUOY8AKHZ3pCxYQ8ccDegQICRAH&biw=1496&bih=715&dpr=1.25#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:04c3d118,vid:oQz0EqHq38o

Hello,

About to bite the bullet on installing solar panels DIY myself, have a RECI for the signoff. Unfortunately I missed the boat on submitting the NC6 before 31st of June.

I'm confused on the FIT with respect to "smart meters", and a few other areas - would be delighted if somebody could clarify situation. Please forgive if the questions are incorrectly worded, nonsensical - I hope they arent...

We use approx 14-20kwh per day (currently no heat pumps, electric cars etc.). I'm hoping that, at least for summer months, the solar will be self-used. Dont anticipate a battery right now, but want to get a hybrid inverter to ensure future proofing.

1. Our current supplier I believe is giving us standard 24hr tariff - bill states MCC01 on the type. A smart meter was installed soome months ago, but we did not sign up to any smart plan. Assuming the NC6 gets approved and I install approx 6KwP panels behind a 5.5/6Kw inverter, will I get FIT payments WITHOUT changing to a smart metering plan? - i.e. can you get FIT while remainng on std. 24hr metering?
2. I can probably install about 14 panels on my south facing roof currently; there is another S facing roof, but shaded somewhat by the higher roof which might be able to take four more panels, and if I add two optomizers it might be a runner. But for the present I can only stretch to 14 panels. What inverter would be recommended here that still falls within the 25A new ESBN limit. I was going to get a Solis 6Kw, but as I said, missed the boat. I know I can go 5Kw, but trying to squeeze every last drop out. Probably max panels I could ever install would be 18. Maybe a 5.5Kw inverter thats closer to the 25A ESNB limit - is there such a model?
3. Whole house is controlled with Home Assistant, and current power usage is monitored with Shellys 3PM's on different circuits, feeding directly into homeassistant. I'd like to get an inverter that will be HA friendly, and indeed DIY-friendly in terms of access to configuration and settings etc. Remote-controlled heating, immersion, lights etc, all currently via Home assistant, so would like the solar to integrate here too.
4. In terms of completing the NC6, in section 5 detailing the generator kva installed behind each inverter - I assume this relates to the wattage of each panel, so if I have 420w panels, the generator kva behind the inverter would be 0.42Kva per module, and this is what I would enter?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Thank you - thats one question off the list!

Apologies if this is a stupid question. I had 10 400W solar panels installed last month and I have an app that tells me the amount of electricity that is being generated. The weather has been really sunny, but the maximum power that has been generated at any time is 3.1 KW. This is just under 80% of the supposed maximum if the panels were operating at 100% efficiency.

Is this normal? Or does it indicate that there is something sub optimal about the installation? Two of the panels have what look like scratch marks on them. Could this indicate that the panels are damaged in some way? I’m in Dublin 16 and the roof is SSW facing with no obstructions.

I’ve no idea. Where would I find this information? Is the following of any relevance?

Array parameters

Voc(stc)

371.60

Isc(stc)

13.54

Also, angle of incidence of sunlight plays a part. If the direction of all panels is not due south at local midday (around 1:30PM for most of Ireland) and the panels are titled away from the Sun in the vertical axis at local midday then both of those factors will reduce maximum power input.

Although many inverters have a DC input in excess of 5KW, those same inverters have an AC output to grid of 3.8KW or 5KW. If the panels do not have a partially empty battery or a large load to dump to then that too will effect output.

You need to give inverter manufacturer and model plus direction (North, South, East, West, split?) and orientation of panels (tilt from vertical - 0 degrees is facing straight up and 90 degrees is facing the horizon) to make a judgement.

The device beside your hot water tank is most likely the Eddi for heating the water, the inverter must be in your attic if it's not plainly visible around the house. It should look something like these.

Thanks. I’m about to head off on holidays, so I’ll leave it until I get back. Hopefully, I’ll have got an answer from ***** by then.

I have a question about the Solis app. The lower part of the photo attached shows my figures for yesterday.

What's the difference between self use and self sufficiency? I assume the house used 1.92kWh from the grid for yesterday?

Just in terms of an update on this. I just went with the tile in that position of being "kicked up" by the Vario 2 hooks as I figure that the panels will cover all affected tiles and the rain run-off channel isn't negatively affected and the tile-overlap is very deep too. Some tiles were worse than others but I can't figure out another solution in the absence of either bending the bracket or modifying it (with the risk which that entails).

I have my solar panels installed (6kW, south facing). It is a little different as the panels are part of a shed/ground-mount structure (see attached pic). Need to spec the electrical side now. Just want to ask how would a 5kWh battery operate in my system? Daily summer consumption is about 13kWh (house) & 10kWh (car)

On an average day, would a 6kW system cover periods of heavy than normal load e.g. lunch time when oven/toaster/kettle may be used or if the Heat pump kicks in(~2kW)? If not, would the battery pick up the shortfall?

Just trying to get a feel for if the panels would power the house during the day with the help of the battery and have the battery charged for use in the evening