Domestic Solar PV Quotes 2020

MAULBROOK · 20-01-2021 9:08pm

I think Eamon Ryan said B2 and higher.

KCross · 20-01-2021 9:15pm

Boscoirl wrote: »

TBH, I’m not sure the FIT rate is going to be that great. would rather make use of the excess myself.

Haven’t been able to find any confirmation or information of it but on Newstalk last week they were discussing it and they mentioned something along the lines of only A rated houses would be able to avail of the FIT. Ours is far from that. Only 90% sure certain I’ll make the C rating.

The diverted to the water is just for pure laziness and comfort.

The ROI on the install wasn’t a major consideration in our choice.

Would like to get to the stage where the grid is there as a backup for our power needs.

It’s not A. The proposal, like the current SEAI grant, is a minimum of C BER and they plan to increase that to a B over time.

The FiT looks like it will be reasonable. Maybe something like night rate. Better than paying out money for a diverter that won’t pay for itself.

slave1 · 20-01-2021 11:57pm

There are non financial benefits of a diverter too, app control, temperature monitoring, remote access etc

Deagol · 21-01-2021 12:00am

slave1 wrote: »

There are non financial benefits of a diverter too, app control, temperature monitoring, remote access etc

Indeed, I have a temperature probe connected to mine that allows me to see if there's plenty hot water for a shower

PLus I can remotely set turn on the immersion heaters if I want hot water when I get home from a cycle!

SlowBlowin · 21-01-2021 12:05am

Boscoirl wrote: »

The ROI on the install wasn’t a major consideration in our choice.

This is a point that often overlooked on here, I am the same.

The main consideration for me was being independent as far as power goes, the ROI was further down the priority list.

Totally agree ROI is very important for a lot of people (the majority), but not all, for some the ability to survive happily without grid power is above ROI.

Deagol · 21-01-2021 2:20am

SlowBlowin wrote: »

This is a point that often overlooked on here, I am the same.

The main consideration for me was being independent as far as power goes, the ROI was further down the priority list.

Totally agree ROI is very important for a lot of people (the majority), but not all, for some the ability to survive happily without grid power is above ROI.

Biggest bugbear I have is that people are calculating the ROI on current energy prices - and I don't remember electricity prices NOT going up!

Plus, I've seen people do ROI calculations using capital costs for the solar equipment but then doing a comparison against running costs only (i.e. kerosene or gas price) without taking into account servicing / capital expenditure.

graememk · 21-01-2021 9:00am

Deagol wrote: »

Plus, I've seen people do ROI calculations using capital costs for the solar equipment but then doing a comparison against running costs only (i.e. kerosene or gas price) without taking into account servicing / capital expenditure.

you can't take in the standing charge or capital expenditure of oil or gas into account. As it's already there. Your not going to get solar and be "don't need the gas anymore"

Same for the payback on solar, it can be only counted for usage, not against the standing charge.

But it could get to a point where the standing charge will be the majority of the bill.

I am in the "as long as you have a reason" camp but ie save time eg, don't have to light a fire in the summer to heat water. - the way my dad's house is plumbed up, we can manually trigger circulation pumps and pull heat out of the hot water tank and send it around the house. When the iboost cuts off because the tank is too hot.

Saving money is touch and go, although the iboost is a lot cheaper than the eddi - it's not free hot water.

championc · 21-01-2021 9:18am

Overall, I see solar as somewhat capping the electricity costs, which also goes towards minimizing the potential financial effect of a price hike.

An equivalent of the Octopus Agile tariff will come one day, and so solar gives you the flexibility to embrace these further.

You also need to remember that out consumption will rise massively in the next 10 years, as we all move towards EV's and then switching from oil or gas to ASHP for home heating.

KCross · 21-01-2021 11:35am

slave1 wrote: »

There are non financial benefits of a diverter too, app control, temperature monitoring, remote access etc

Deagol wrote: »

Indeed, I have a temperature probe connected to mine that allows me to see if there's plenty hot water for a shower PLus I can remotely set turn on the immersion heaters if I want hot water when I get home from a cycle!

Each to their own I suppose. I dont have any value in those for hot water as I have a Heat pump and it shows me the temperature of the water already and it heats the water once a day. I dont need to manually boost it.

Fair enough though if you get value from those yourself.

SlowBlowin wrote: »

This is a point that often overlooked on here, I am the same.

The main consideration for me was being independent as far as power goes, the ROI was further down the priority list.

Totally agree ROI is very important for a lot of people (the majority), but not all, for some the ability to survive happily without grid power is above ROI.

If you are truly off-grid then for sure its worth the money. How many people in the country does that fit though?

And in the context of this thread where nearly everyone is using the SEAI grant its tied to a grid connection so none of those people are really "independent as far as power goes".

-
Ultimately, I suppose, its about transparency and people going into it with their eyes open. Alot of people will want an ROI but wont understand that some of the elements being quoted for wont actually give them any ROI and they'd be better off not having those bits.... the installers quote for the lot because its more equipment to get margin on and more labour to charge for.

Deagol wrote: »

Biggest bugbear I have is that people are calculating the ROI on current energy prices - and I don't remember electricity prices NOT going up!

Mine hasnt gone up for years. I switch provider every year and that keeps the price consistently low (~14c day / 7c night).

SlowBlowin · 21-01-2021 12:16pm

KCross wrote: »

If you are truly off-grid then for sure its worth the money. How many people in the country does that fit though?

And in the context of this thread where nearly everyone is using the SEAI grant its tied to a grid connection so none of those people are really "independent as far as power goes".

Totally agree, I should have said vast majority as opposed to majority.

I guess I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder, as will most early adopters of renewables. For the past 20+ years people have been asking me "whats the payback period on the windmill/solar", if you did the maths the payback was terrible.

As a side note, IMO I don't think electricity prices will rise long term, the opposite in fact, I believe they will fall to a fraction of the current price. At the same time I believe grid connection charges will rise and be the majority of most peoples bills.

Its the only model I can see for power companies surviving as more and more people install renewables and claim FIT.

KCross · 21-01-2021 12:50pm

SlowBlowin wrote: »

As a side note, IMO I don't think electricity prices will rise long term, the opposite in fact, I believe they will fall to a fraction of the current price. At the same time I believe grid connection charges will rise and be the majority of most peoples bills.

Its the only model I can see for power companies surviving as more and more people install renewables and claim FIT.

Thats already happening. They are proposing significantly increasing the PSO levy to subsidise the FiT, which is a charge you cant dodge regardless of how many panels you have on the roof.

There will be some turmoil in energy prices over the next few decades for sure. Hard to predict how it will all pan out but governments will need to ensure the poor dont get shafted so they will need to control/regulate it via the likes of the PSO levy.

citizen6 · 26-01-2021 1:07am

Best quote I have so far, from a company with a triple barrel name and addresses in Donabate and Sligo:

6.12kWp from 18 x 340W Q-Cell panels (ground mounted)
5.2kWh GivEnergy battery
5kW GivEnergy hybrid inverter
€11,500 less grant = €8,500
excludes groundworks

Do those in the know have any concerns about the tech listed above? Anyone with experience of this installer, could I get a PM? Thanks.

gomamochi1 · 26-01-2021 1:41am

citizen6 wrote: »

Best quote I have so far, from a company with a triple barrel name and addresses in Donabate and Sligo:
6.12kWp from 18 x 340W Q-Cell panels (ground mounted)

5.2kWh GivEnergy battery

5kW GivEnergy hybrid inverter

€11,500 less grant = €8,500

excludes groundworks

Do those in the know have any concerns about the tech listed above? Anyone with experience of this installer, could I get a PM? Thanks.

I got a similar setup though with a eddi water diverter heater and zappi car charger plus hub monitoring etc for 7k cost to me. Though several reckon on here eddi is useless as the fit coming along.. best of luck.

slave1 · 26-01-2021 2:04pm

citizen6 wrote: »

Best quote I have so far, from a company with a triple barrel name and addresses in Donabate and Sligo:
6.12kWp from 18 x 340W Q-Cell panels (ground mounted)

5.2kWh GivEnergy battery

5kW GivEnergy hybrid inverter

€11,500 less grant = €8,500

excludes groundworks

Do those in the know have any concerns about the tech listed above? Anyone with experience of this installer, could I get a PM? Thanks.

Seems very expensive to me, I got 18 x 410w panels, 2.4kWh battery, 5kW BPE Hybrid Inverter for €8.6k less grant of €3.0k so net €5.6k.
Mine was a traditional roof install and included all safety/cables etc, I got a smaller battery than you but not enough to make up a €2.9k difference.

If you want installer details please PM me.

47akak · 27-01-2021 5:03pm

Do (m)any SEAI registered installers install customer supplied kit? And if so what price should I expect to pay for the install alone? I will do any work I possibly can do myself, installing ground mounts, concrete base etc, running cabling.

Plan is to buy a ground mounted 6kW solar PV install add in a battery or two. If I can get the full SEAI grant and supply the kit myself, having a registered installer wire it to the house and grid, it makes a lot of sense.

I'm still trying to work out the technical details. If it's possible our batteries would store night rate electricity AND save any excess solar. We have a lot of daytime usage. I'm not sure if that's possible having the battery AC side like many of you or if it's only possible with a hybrid inverter.

championc · 27-01-2021 7:44pm

47akak wrote: »

Do (m)any SEAI registered installers install customer supplied kit? And if so what price should I expect to pay for the install alone? I will do any work I possibly can do myself, installing ground mounts, concrete base etc, running cabling.

Plan is to buy a ground mounted 6kW solar PV install add in a battery or two. If I can get the full SEAI grant and supply the kit myself, having a registered installer wire it to the house and grid, it makes a lot of sense.

I'm still trying to work out the technical details. If it's possible our batteries would store night rate electricity AND save any excess solar. We have a lot of daytime usage. I'm not sure if that's possible having the battery AC side like many of you or if it's only possible with a hybrid inverter.

What you are sort of looking for is an installer to sign it off, which they might do for €3k - the price of the Grant. I checked when I self built (I'm just a handy ish DIYer) and even struggled to get anyone to even respond.

Just plan on getting a roofer if you are uncomfortable with that part. It sounds like you are well capable of doing everything else. You only need a Sparks to get the initial NC6 form signed off (well, nominated on it). Since that part is with the ESB and assigned to your MRPN, I reckon that will be the link for FIT

harderthanf · 28-01-2021 11:26am

citizen6 wrote: »

Best quote I have so far, from a company with a triple barrel name and addresses in Donabate and Sligo:
6.12kWp from 18 x 340W Q-Cell panels (ground mounted)

5.2kWh GivEnergy battery

5kW GivEnergy hybrid inverter

€11,500 less grant = €8,500

excludes groundworks

Do those in the know have any concerns about the tech listed above? Anyone with experience of this installer, could I get a PM? Thanks.

Do you have any concern with planning permission for the ground mount? I would guess the mount will be hight that 2M above ground which, as far as I can see, is the only restriction on sites where the mount won't reduce the overall area to below 25M^2. I am looking at a very similar setup but the stickler for me is planning at the moment, not sure how to go with it

ivyhouse · 29-01-2021 11:09am

citizen6 wrote: »

Best quote I have so far, from a company with a triple barrel name and addresses in Donabate and Sligo:
6.12kWp from 18 x 340W Q-Cell panels (ground mounted)

5.2kWh GivEnergy battery

5kW GivEnergy hybrid inverter

€11,500 less grant = €8,500

excludes groundworks

Do those in the know have any concerns about the tech listed above? Anyone with experience of this installer, could I get a PM? Thanks.

I got a similar quote and it's a bit above my budget.
This thread has fantastic information and is a great place to learn. Thanks to everyone for sharing their information to help newbies along.

slayer91 · 29-01-2021 9:28pm

Hi,

Has anyone got an install done since the lockdown in early Jan?

Regards

Liam

raytaxi · 30-01-2021 2:02am

Emailed my installer was told all on hold due to lockdown, was what i expected to hear to be honest.

Bobeagleburger · 30-01-2021 4:00am

citizen6 wrote: »

Best quote I have so far, from a company with a triple barrel name and addresses in Donabate and Sligo:
6.12kWp from 18 x 340W Q-Cell panels (ground mounted)

5.2kWh GivEnergy battery

5kW GivEnergy hybrid inverter

€11,500 less grant = €8,500

excludes groundworks

Do those in the know have any concerns about the tech listed above? Anyone with experience of this installer, could I get a PM? Thanks.

Very expensive. Is there a premium on ground mounts?

unkel · 30-01-2021 1:52pm

Ground mount is far more expensive than roof mounted. Unless you have some crude materials already and you can do all the work DIY

Deagol · 30-01-2021 2:04pm

6 wrote: »

Very expensive. Is there a premium on ground mounts?

I was given a quote for groundmount €1500 more than roof mount.

Cost was €500 for man and digger for the day to put in the groundscrews and ~€1000 for the ground mounting hardware and installation labour costs.

championc · 30-01-2021 3:54pm

Why not simply make your own ground mount with Unistrut. Yes, you'll need an angle grinder to cut long lengths, but it's all very simple to bolt together. Better still, they have a perfect 45 deg angle as well as ground legs

Panels could easily be attached to the unistrut frame

https://www.electricalwholesaler.ie/products/cablemanagementfixings/unistrut

irishchris · 30-01-2021 4:12pm

championc wrote: »

Why not simply make your own ground mount with Unistrut. Yes, you'll need an angle grinder to cut long lengths, but it's all very simple to bolt together. Better still, they have a perfect 45 deg angle as well as ground legs

Panels could easily be attached to the unistrut frame

https://www.electricalwholesaler.ie/products/cablemanagementfixings/unistrut

Doing similar myself with self install ground mount. Costs are astronomical really for what ground mounts are. Using 4x4 treated timber concreted with 4x2 bolted to them to form the angles. Unistrut then bolted to those to attach the panels with spring nuts

Caspero · 31-01-2021 8:46am

Deagol wrote: »

I was given a quote for groundmount €1500 more than roof mount.

Cost was €500 for man and digger for the day to put in the groundscrews and ~€1000 for the ground mounting hardware and installation labour costs.

The groundscrews are pretty important for these in fairness...there will be a lot of lift when you've got a bunch of panels mounted together. Without groundscrews you could easily have an aerial electrical hazard soaring around your neighbourhood like those trampoline videos that were going around ._.

We're looking at this at the moment too, trying to figure out the most cost effective way to ground mount. That price for the digger and ground mount wasn't bad relative to what I've been quoted so far at least. We have a slope to deal with though

graememk · 31-01-2021 12:29pm

Yeah, The ground screws look like a clever bit of kit.

Its all speed and time. If doing it yourself, you can dig the postholes, make the concrete/or pour a concrete slab,

Then wait a week or so for it to cure before bolting anything to it.

Ground screws, rock up, screw them in and your good to go.

Wont be perfect in every case, If i tried them round the back of my house, Id be running into rock in certain places.

B9K9 · 31-01-2021 2:40pm

...seem a reasonable choice for ground mounting?

dkhylan · 01-02-2021 11:52am

Hey folks,

Have a few quotes for installation that seem pretty steep for labour, since I can see prices for materials and the panels themselves are pretty cheap now.

Can folks recommend some installers in the Cork County / Munster area by DM, I'm looking for around 2.4 - 3kWp, with diverter and no battery (is it still required for over 2kWp?)

Also looking to avail of the grant.

Thanks everyone

citizen6 · 03-02-2021 12:03am

6 wrote: »

Very expensive. Is there a premium on ground mounts?

Yeah I was told by a different supplier that the frame is costing about €1500. And those quotes exclude the cost of concrete base and prep for cabling between panels and inverter.

Makes sense that ground mounted is more expensive as the quotes I have been getting are significantly higher than what others have reported here for roof-mounted.

championc · 03-02-2021 12:31am

If only you could get these here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GhiH8OhJUE

citizen6 · 03-02-2021 1:13am

graememk wrote: »

Yeah, The ground screws look like a clever bit of kit.

Its all speed and time. If doing it yourself, you can dig the postholes, make the concrete/or pour a concrete slab,

Then wait a week or so for it to cure before bolting anything to it.

Ground screws, rock up, screw them in and your good to go.

Wont be perfect in every case, If i tried them round the back of my house, Id be running into rock in certain places.

I had one supplier tell me that concrete base is not sturdy enough, and ground screws are the only way to go. Anyone heard of someone with a ground mounted system having a problem with a concrete base?

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly · 03-02-2021 1:22am

citizen6 wrote: »

I had one supplier tell me that concrete base is not sturdy enough

Only useful for 88's
Flak_Towers_worldwartwo.filminspector.com_17.jpg

Deagol · 03-02-2021 1:28am

citizen6 wrote: »

I had one supplier tell me that concrete base is not sturdy enough, and ground screws are the only way to go. Anyone heard of someone with a ground mounted system having a problem with a concrete base?

I've got mine done with the renusol CS+ plastic 'buckets' on the ground. Survived 130kmh gust storm a few weeks ago is their toughest test so far

KAGY · 03-02-2021 9:19am

Deagol wrote: »

I've got mine done with the renusol CS+ plastic 'buckets' on the ground. Survived 130kmh gust storm a few weeks ago is their toughest test so far

I assume you need 1 per panel. The slope looks a bit shallow, I was hoping to optimise for winter sun.

graememk · 03-02-2021 10:09am

citizen6 wrote: »

I had one supplier tell me that concrete base is not sturdy enough, and ground screws are the only way to go. Anyone heard of someone with a ground mounted system having a problem with a concrete base?

Depends on how big/deep your concrete base/postholes are

6 inch slab of concrete isn't going anywhere. Getting it poured is the issue, getting access, getting it dug, getting the ready-mix in. The ground screws skip all that.

unkel · 03-02-2021 11:27am

championc wrote: »

If only you could get these here

Deadly!

€300 for 6 of those blocks (for 5 panels), including the clamps. You'd have the panels installed DIY in minutes :cool:

Not sure what weight they are though, might be a two man job to lift them into place. You'd also want a flat surface, can't just dump them into a field

maw · 03-02-2021 8:37pm

how does this compare??

Battery System (Alpha)

3.25kp of modules kitted to a 3kW Inverter

14 x Bisol Premium 325w Monocrystalline modules (All black modules)*

Bisol Mounting system on a Slate roof

1 x Projoy Fire Safety Switch

AC Switch Gear

Alpha 5 kWp Inverter kitted to 5.7kWh storage capacity

Costing

€10000(inclusive of VAT)

+€500(Eddie Hot Water Diverter)

€3000 (SEAI Grant)

€7500 Final cost after grant incentive

Deagol · 03-02-2021 8:38pm

maw wrote: »

how does this compare??

Battery System (Alpha)

3.25kp of modules kitted to a 3kW Inverter

14 x Bisol Premium 325w Monocrystalline modules (All black modules)*

Bisol Mounting system on a Slate roof

1 x Projoy Fire Safety Switch

AC Switch Gear

Alpha 5 kWp Inverter kitted to 5.7kWh storage capacity

Costing

€10000(inclusive of VAT)

+€500(Eddie Hot Water Diverter)

€3000 (SEAI Grant)

€7500 Final cost after grant incentive

That doesn't make sense - why is there two different inverters?

maw · 03-02-2021 8:40pm

Deagol wrote: »

That doesn't make sense - why is there two different inverters?

no idea, this is as received on quote today

Deagol · 03-02-2021 8:41pm

maw wrote: »

no idea, this is as received on quote today

You'd want to get clarification of what they are quoting as it's not clear which type of inverter they are offering.

Wouldn't recommend the Alpha battery either. They have the same issue as the Pylontech's I see frequently offered. That '5.7kw' model has a maximum output current of only 56A - this means the maximum power output from it is around 2.4kw. Between base load and a cooker ring that's as much as it will do.

maw · 03-02-2021 8:42pm

Deagol wrote: »

You'd want to get clarification of what they are quoting as it's not clear which type of inverter they are offering.

thanks a mill. does it seem way off or reasonable otherwise?

MAULBROOK · 03-02-2021 8:43pm

maw wrote: »

thanks a mill. does it seem way off or reasonable otherwise?

About €1500 too much.

slave1 · 03-02-2021 8:50pm

maw wrote: »

how does this compare??

Battery System (Alpha)

3.25kp of modules kitted to a 3kW Inverter

14 x Bisol Premium 325w Monocrystalline modules (All black modules)*

Bisol Mounting system on a Slate roof

1 x Projoy Fire Safety Switch

AC Switch Gear

Alpha 5 kWp Inverter kitted to 5.7kWh storage capacity

Costing

€10000(inclusive of VAT)

+€500(Eddie Hot Water Diverter)

€3000 (SEAI Grant)

€7500 Final cost after grant incentive

Previous poster was correct, you need to get clarity to get that 3kW inverter off the quote and that quote is thousands off what you should be paying.
Also get quote without a battery, work out the payback on battery, it's massive even doubtful it would pay back before it pops it's clogs.
Better off with more panels and a straight single phase dual MPPT inverter like Solis, that's the quote you need.
Post back their update.

graememk · 03-02-2021 9:54pm

Looks like the Solar inverter and battery inverter are separate devices.

things dont add up, 14 325 panels is 4.55kwp.

MAULBROOK · 03-02-2021 9:57pm

graememk wrote: »

Looks like the Solar inverter and battery inverter are separate devices.

things dont add up, 14 325 panels is 4.55kwp.

The more i read this the sloppier it gets. Like they couldn't be arsed.

Lleyn elec · 03-02-2021 10:15pm

Where is the best site to purchase panels and inverters from?
I’m a registered electrical contractor and have a 63x40 shed with a south facing roof on one.
Looking at a 6kW system, is there any model of inverter that is popular and type tested? Just looking at the NC6 form here at the moment.

maw · 03-02-2021 10:16pm

very helpful guys, thanks a lot. will let you know how it goes. more quotes to receive yet

MAULBROOK · 03-02-2021 10:22pm

Lleyn elec wrote: »

Where is the best site to purchase panels and inverters from?
I’m a registered electrical contractor and have a 63x40 shed with a south facing roof on one.
Looking at a 6kW system, is there any model of inverter that is popular and type tested? Just looking at the NC6 form here at the moment.

https://solartricity.ie/

Solis works for me,

graememk · 03-02-2021 10:26pm

MAULBROOK wrote: »

https://solartricity.ie/

Solis works for me,

Yeah Good guys there at solartricity, Register yourself as a trade too, Might start a whole new aspect of your business!

Midsummer is another one, Register there too and compare.

I have 20 of the 360w Longi on a 6kw inverter.

Domestic Solar PV Quotes 2020

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