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Add Panels on Steel Tech Shed

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,337 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    I got the panels fitted and connected over the past couple of days.
    I have the panels earthed via rail clips and tied back to mains earth.
    The microinverters connected and currently feeding into a socket.

    The manufacturer app is giving me a nightmare currently.
    The account I created back in August when I purchased them, isn't working.
    Trying to create a new account returns a "service does not exist" error message.
    I contacted the manufacturer a couple of weeks ago and have yet to have a reply.
    I also updated my review of their support on the "made in china" app.

    I'm guessing I will need to add either a CT clamp or DIN rail monitor to track generation?
    Or check the Smart meter regularly?
    I'll also need to sort out getting the setup properly commissioned and NC6'd

    IMG-20260429-WA0001.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭JohnySwan


    looks great, well done. When you say “connected to a socket” can you elaborate on that?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,337 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    Thank you, hopefully it works as well as it looks 😁
    There isn't much to elaborate on really.
    The system is Microinverter based (details are earlier in the thread) and designed to plugged in (it can also be wired directly to an RCBO) 2 x 2000w units wired back to an IP68 junction box.
    Each Microinverter connects to 4 panels, I'm using 470w jinkos, so total system output is 3.76kwh.


    The output from that junction box is currently plugged into a 20amp rated external socket.
    When I get around to commissioning fully, I'll have a sparks add a dedicated RCBO to the shed board and run the cable into that via a gasket drilled behind the board, when the time comes.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,849 ✭✭✭bullit_dodger


    That looks well sweet to be fair. Kudos.

    I don't know exactly how you have wired it (obviously), but from reading above I would have some concerns about putting 3.76kw into your house wiring via a socket. That's 16.34 amps at 230v. If your local voltage in your estate was lower….say 215v, you could be pushing 17.5A. The hope would be that the fuse in the plug (13A) would blow after sometime, but depending on the wiring installed, you could see some heating in conduits etc. Your annex cable out to your shed should be at least 2.5mm^2, and I'd check that if you can?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭JohnySwan


    That was my concern too, really needs hard wiring.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,337 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    I have a remote thermometer and will give the wiring and board a check.
    The shed is tied back to the house via 10mm² so I have overhead there.
    I overspecced the wiring when it was being installed and the sparks who did the work on that was a great help.
    Fecker's in Canada now though.
    Thanks for the tip on the overheating risk, I'll keep a close eye.

    I also need to sort out the switch to 2way rcbos when I hardwire it.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,337 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    Thanks for the heads-up, I hope my other reply to Bullit-dodger addresses the concerns.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭JohnySwan




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭dessertspoon


    What made you go for those micro-inverters?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭JohnySwan


    If it’s on a plug, best bet is to remove it and hard wire in to a fused spur. Plug will overheat for sure.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,337 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    Appreciate that advice and agree with it.

    The plan is to wire directly to the CU and a bidirectional RCBO there, and swap the shed's RCBO in the house too.

    The current plug is a sanity check to make sure everything is working before drilling a hole in the shed and hardwiring to the CU.

    Plan originally was for a smaller setup and microinverters offered better bang for the buck for what I wanted to try.
    The entire setup as it stands, cost me less than €900.
    Price, availability and certifications for EC/EN62109-1, IEC/EN62109-2, IEC/EN 621000-1, IEC/EN 621000-3, IEC/EN 62920.
    Wanted to ensure that it was compliant and could be regularised via NC6 when I was finished messing about with it



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭dessertspoon


    Thanks, have you got a link for purchasing inverter?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,337 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    I'll hold off on sharing that until they get their app up and running.
    As it stands their after sales support isn't something i'd stand over.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,484 ✭✭✭✭Ush1


    Could I get sent on the fellas details also please? Thanks a mill.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,337 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    I've got a Garo B32A 1 Mod 2P 100mA 6kA RCBO on the way for the permanent connection.
    Ordered from Wesco so hopefully it will arrive Tuesday or Wednesday.
    It will work out nicely as I have just the space for a new 18mm module on the CU busbar.

    The awkward part of the job that's left will be drilling a new hole in the side of the shed and getting a cable gland secured without needing to make a hole in the plaster 👀
    I have a plan for it along with the right tools and it "should" work out ok, as long as I can make a suitable channel in the Kingspan insulation bonded to the wall.



  • Site Banned Posts: 59 ✭✭Gluon




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9 al2025


    You could use a pushfit gland, no need to access for lock nut.

    image.png


  • Site Banned Posts: 59 ✭✭Gluon




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,337 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    It is 👍

    Thanks for tip, those are a bloody great bit of kit!
    There's almost always a solution out there if someone knows how to find it.

    I managed to get a gland fitted to a 25mm hole and got the lock nut glued in place, then left it to set before running the cable and tightening up the gland next day.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,337 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    I had my tame sparks (Cousin) over to install the new bidirectional RCBO on Tuesday and the donkey work on my install is now done.
    I still need to get an NC6 sorted but that will be done soon enough.

    I have been having a back and forth with the inverter manufacturer as their cloud app has been decommissioned.
    This means that as their inverter is using a closed system that I can't access the production or monitoring information directly.
    I have tried a few hacky workarounds but unfortunately, as Solarman and a variety of other platforms including my HA server can't pair with and access the inverters?
    I can't easily add the data to my HA, nor remotely monitor them.

    The manufacturer has said this is because they've changed product focus.
    A bit of research over the last couple of weeks has shown that there are quite a few Chinese white label manufacturers who use proprietary protocols for the initial pairing of the inverter that are having issues.

    Due to that, I won't be recommending the manufacturer of my inverters as a supplier.
    I would also advise that should anyone go down the road of a similar setup to mine?
    That they make sure to check with the supplier that the inverters offer open source pairing and monitoring protocols or can be, as Hoymiles, Deye and others can be, set up for local monitoring without reliance upon a cloud service that can be withdrawn without notice or indeed, alternative.

    The plan for monitoring now is to add a CT clamp meter to the Solar and another to the house feed.
    The inverter supplier has offered to cover the cost of those.
    I'm quite happy with the output performance to date and I look forward to getting monitoring set up asap.

    Screenshot_2026-05-15-12-40-22-404_org.mozilla.firefox-edit.jpg


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