Add Panels on Steel Tech Shed

The resurrection of this thread has reminded me of my own post from last year and my earth query. That bit at least is all sorted😉

I have a south facing shed with space for 7 panels and I'm curious as to what my best option is very taking advantage of that?

7 X 420w panels up there would give me a near 3kw array. My shed has a consumer unit tied back into the main house.

Ideally I'd love to go with a full grid tied install but, other things are taking priority for the next while. In the interim I have about €800 that I can throw at an experiment. Offsetting the power used in the shed would be my ideal outcome. Only high drain item down there is a 2kw oil heater, that's in addition to a Washing machine, dryer, freezer, fridge, TV, router and some lights.

I think I'm too big for a micro-inverter or plug in type unit. They're all in the 1 or 2 panel range.

I plan on the shed becoming a 2nd string when I manage to go with full installation at the house, but?

In the interim, any suggestions on what I can do with that roof, and without grid tying?

Would be much appreciated

It's tied back to the house via 10mm² earth and I'm waiting on a sparks mate to call over and run an and a megger over the board and check the earth. If it's needed I'll add a new earth rod and have him tie it in.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121728231#Comment_121728231

Various incidents conspired to push back my taking any action on this plan over the last year and a half. I'm back to getting the plan in motion and panels and micro-inverter installed.

I have a question regarding the "best" mount for my particular roof. It's a steeltech corrugated roof, with a tile pattern embossed on it. Is there any particular preference for something like a renusol metasol adaptor? Or will appropriately installed rails, self tapping screws and addition of rubber washers be sufficient for installation and waterproofing?

I was planning to do something like this as well. Do you mind if I ask you some questions about it?

Was the install process straight forward?

Any problems to watch out for during the installation?

Any issues with the roof during storms now that there's solar panels on it?

Thanks for this info, particularly regarding planning cable routing back to CU.

I would add that one of the things that's cropped up in my own planning, is making sure to make absolutely best use of the sun by making sure you take account of any potential shading.

In my own case my shed whilst having a SSE aspect has a little morning shading on the east end that means installing all my panels to the opposite end will get them all in full sunshine sooner and for duration of the day.

Not a huge issue with a microinverter setup but I suppose we all want as much PV as possible from our setups.

To that end, ekeing out the max power. Has anyone used a Tsun 6 MPPT micro inverter? I've seen a 3kw one that's quite interesting. Would be quite a tidy install with 6 5-600 watt panels.

Steeltech are onsite with me today and are swapping out all the roof sheets on my shed.
Great to see a company stand by their warranty and I cannot fault their service.
Now the roof is replaced, I can finally pull my finger out and proceed with installing my panels.

The delay on that now though will likely extend in to January.
As I had surgery last week to implant a spinal cord stimulator and I'm on very restricted movement and activity for 8 weeks.
That'll bring me into late December before I can do any real bending, let alone lifting.
Still, if the implant works?
It'll have me back to being pain free and relatively mobile again!

I'll update the thread again when I'm installing and share progress as I go.

Very true and rather than pinning myself to a deadline, its rather the earliest that I could get around to doing it.
I agree with you, February is time enough to put them up.
My own recovery and being safe when I put them up is the most important thing

I Ran 10sq back to the house via a trench, then up the wall to the attic, and across and down to my CU.
That option was available to me as I'd the garden dug up at the time and I had the entry point through my slab planned before I put up the shed.
Regarding a separate earth rod, I'm far from an expert but if tied back in to your main CU, would there be an issue with ground looping and potiential differences?
Its one I'd leave to a sparks to advise on.
Mine was bonded and signed off by a RECI.

Yeah I picked up the panels locally from an installer who was replacing the panels in an industrial install.
He actually advertised on DoneDeal and has a fairly constant supply, let me know if you want his details.
2yr old Jinko 470w panels, that worked out at €50 including delivery.

I bought my mounting brackets from GaiaRay PV Accessories Store.

I had a couple of concerns regarding wanting a 200mm rail to ensure that self tapping into my roof would offer enough support.
Spoke with both the supplier and a few folk on another UK based forum via PM and they assured me the rails would be suitable and are comparable to renusol.
I had the rails shipped to NI as it saved me €50 😉