Renewable Energy Photo Thread

jumpin jack · 27-02-2024 04:04AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121814468#Comment_121814468

Hi Slave,

unfortunately I'm having technical problems at the moment, my inverter just died at 2 in the morning and wouldn't start up for ages. Lots of disconnecting and reconnecting of batteries before the Victron would boot up. I'm not sure if its a Seplos BMS problem or the Victron as I had recently upgraded the firmeware.

jumpin jack · 27-02-2024 04:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121812963#Comment_121812963

I like it Ginger 🤣

reboot · 15-08-2025 07:51AM

Sorry if late to the posts,but just watched on YouTube, DIY,plug and play solar PV set up,big in Germany,and wondering if it has taken off in Ireland?

It would appear to be a complete system,around 800 Watts,which arrives with a 13 amp plug you just plug into the house and off you go?

Not so simple as you read on,but never the less of interest to perhaps folk in apartments or rental accommodation?

graememk · 15-08-2025 09:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123723976#Comment_123723976

Hasn't taken off as it's against current regs and ESBN rules

unkel · 15-08-2025 12:37PM

Perfectly legal and safe in Germany and many other EU countries. But forbidden in the UK and thus here as we copy all their rules

reboot · 16-08-2025 07:52AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123724091#Comment_123724091

Understandable ,on safety grounds,and I noticed on one youtube video,mention of charging an EV at 10 amps with the Granny cable.

I've had 2,13amp plugs melt when connected overnight to the mains and eventually hard wired the connection.

A simpler and much cheaper direction I've taken is to avoid going the AC,inverter route,and charging 12v and 5v USB devices directly from the PV controller.

Interesting , thanks for taking an interest.

reboot · 16-08-2025 07:53AM

Suppose could change if qualified companies install them?

unkel · 16-08-2025 10:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123727188#Comment_123727188

It's not understandable at all from safety grounds. These systems are limited to 800W, so just over 3A. All inverters sold in the EU have anti-islanding, so do not generate any AC current when the grid is down to protect people working on the grid. They are perfectly safe. It is beyond stupid that they are not allowed in the UK (and thus not here)

reboot · 16-08-2025 06:26PM

Interesting,a lot of money for just 3 Amps,thanks

unkel · 16-08-2025 10:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123728575#Comment_123728575

Eh? Those plug in kits are dirt cheap, about €300 incl. VAT for an 800W kit. And install is free. Pay back period maybe 2 years. And an enormous relief for the grid when everybody starts generating and consuming electricity locally in their own home

The fee in Ireland of an electrician installing an inverter is higher than that, never mind the cost of the hardware

reboot · 17-08-2025 09:28AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123729038#Comment_123729038

Thanks for the info,I'm slightly confused in that the comments above are saying they have taken off,and are against regs,but I agree with you if they do come along at that price they may very well assist the grid,important in thee parts with Kilroot power station having gone.

I haven't signed into the ads here,and have had eco flow quotes at way over a thousand,and kit around 2kw.

Certainly worth keeping an eye on particularly if they don't have to go on the roof as you can't turn the house around!

unkel · 17-08-2025 10:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123729515#Comment_123729515

They are against the regs in the UK (and thus in Ireland)

They have taken off hugely in continental Europe. And rightly so. They are the single best thing we can do against climate change for very little money, that has a huge impact and will save us significantly on our bills too with a very short payback time

In Germany they are often called "balcony solar", just hang the panel on your balcony or anywhere really, if you don't own the house you live in or don't have any garden or roof where you can put panels. Every single home should have at least 1 solar PV panel. In Ireland, as usual, we are very far behind on this

bullit_dodger · 17-08-2025 02:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123729604#Comment_123729604

The problem is more on the backfeeding as I understand it. ESB, and I assume our neighbors across the water, want to control the amount of backfeeding into the grid from micro-generation. I'm guessing so that phases don't get too far out of balance at the sub station. Small kits like 800W and below, most likely are just going to cover the base load of the dwelling which has installed it, so the amount of excess exported will be minimal (if anything).

I think they are a great idea these kits, but maybe there's some differences in grid tech (i.e. Germany and other places have newer grids and more capable of supporting them than our aging creaking infrastructure - speculating here)

Shame really, as like you I think we need more of this stuff, not veto'ing them with red tape.

reboot · 17-08-2025 03:55PM

Agree with above comments, slightly complicated here,as although, I consider myself European,the 6 counties are sadly no longer in Europe.

At least we might benefit from tech like Freely stb's, I'd like to give these PV setup a try.

Although very small currents drawn,even some little PV panels come with usb sockets on the back,for plug and play to charge phone tab,lighting etc.

Another interesting advance would seem to be bifacial.

Shout out to bullet doger,still doing lots of that myself on other threads!

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