-
Solar & Battery Quote
Hi, new member but decades user of the website. We have recently moved into a new place and needed to get a new central heating system, as the quotes for new gas boiler, cylinder and new radiators was almost the same as a heat pump system, I decided to go with the heat pump. We have installed a Samsung 12kW HT Monobloc &…
-
Storing soft plastics for recycling
I want to start collecting soft plastics to take to the supermarket for recycling. Does anyone have a recommendation for a suitable (new or upcycled) receptacle to collect them in in the kitchen? I've looked at various things for sale online but unconvinced any of them are quite right for the job
-
Solar PV "Power failure"? Technicians in North East? Help!
I noticed today that my Aurora Power One invertor control panel has been displaying "Missing grid", the power light is flashing and the alarm has been illuminated. There is no display on the meter. Now that darkness has fallen everything is blank. The co based in Newcastle that installed the unit 13 years ago has now moved…
-
Adding battery to existing solar PV system - any thoughts/advice please.
I am looking to add a battery to my existing solar system (details of which are in my signature). I have received the quote below from a local supplier for a 10kWh system with the potential to charge/discharge at 5kW. As requested, please find below your quotation for works. Solis 5kw AC Coupled Inverter: * Programmable…
-
Which EV charger?
Looking at chargers, and I'm wondering what charger I should buy? I'm upgrading to a Sigenergy solar system. Now the predicament I have is, should I also get a Sigenergy AC charger and have the system work "as a single pane of glass" or should I perhaps get something cheaper that's perhaps compatible with Octopus IOG and…
-
EV Discussion thread
As some of you will be aware Martyn1981 has clarified the purpose of the BEV news thread he started - “the intention for this thread was to enjoy the transport revolution and share BEV news. That might even be described as a 'cheerleading thread' I suppose, and I'm not sure why that would be wrong on a Green & Ethical…
-
Octopus Energy’s EV charger
https://www.theverge.com/news/769962/octopus-energy-octopus-charge-ev-charger Not sure I’m seeing the benefit in getting one outside of the obvious compatibility with their tariffs out the box?
-
Don't get solar batteries
The maths is simple. If you DON'T have panels, you can sell the electricity you generate to EON for 16.5p/kWh. When you later need the power, you can buy it back for 21p inc VAT (as at Aug 2025, also from EON). So it'll cost you the difference, which is 4.5p/kWh. If you DO have batteries, you'll use your own power and save…
-
Solar Panels on Flat Roof (south) or sloped roof (north)?
I had solar panels in my previous house & am keen to get them on new house. I would appreciate some thoughts on which set up would be better for a dormer bungalow with several extensions! 1) 6-10 panels on a south-facing flat roof 2) 7 panels on east-facing sloped roof and 5 panels on north-facing sloped roof 3) another…
-
High risk electricity?
First of all there were security concerns about china being able to remotely control Chinese supplied inverters. Now we find that the Americans are potentially a security risk as Tesla is applying for a license to supply electricity: Block Elon Musk’s bid to supply UK home energy, Ed Davey urges | Energy industry | The…
-
Beat way to optimise solar panels and battery
Just had solar panels installed through EDF so we have a year's special export tariff with no standing charges for electricity and they pay 24p per KWh for export.We have a 5 Kwh inverter and 2 x 5 Kwh batteries (Sunsync)Just had a training session with the installer, Contact Solar who showed me how to set up the battery…
-
Solar options (mind field)
Hi I'm looking for some advice for solar panels Who's the best companies to contact ? Presume 3 quotes . What kind of price will I be looking at ? I did have one quote a while ago but I'm sure prices have changed since then (2022) We used 7000kwh annual. What's the potential savings ? What's the best kit to have? Property…
-
Is it ethical to sell the fact you are in the market for something to advertisers?
As above really. If i know that i am planning to buy a new AC unit for example, I can go on google and search "AC units", click on a few and then the ads will start to come. Every time i see an ad or click it, that company is paying Meta or google. With an AC unit, a quick bit of research says a company could pay £20-£25…
-
Rainwater harvesting & pumping
I was out and about for work the other day and saw on an allotment someone was using an IBC (one of those big cube shaped plastic containers in a metal cage) to collect rainwater from their shed roof. What with the heat, dry weather and cost of water I was thinking of something like this at home. I've never installed a…
-
On-grid domestic battery storage
Hello! Right, as discussed elsewhere, battery storage for self generation (typically PV) is interesting (to some), and gathering momentum in the UK. So here's a thread to discuss it, and watch it develop. I've called it on-grid, as off-grid is so much more specialised. And domestic as commercial scale storage, or grid…
-
Solar & Aluminum ion batteries
Have just been reading about aluminum ion batteries and how much cheaper they will be, any thoughts on how long until the are in production for home solar? They could change the discussion about costs and ROI quite a bit.
-
Are solar panels worth it
Hi we’re thinking about solar panels. In the process of getting a quote from octopus and an Independant guy. pensioners, live in a bungalow. I’m disabled so home all day. Main problem is conservatory - 7mx 3m glass roof. A lovely space but very cold in winter - thought about warm roof but worried about light impact on…
-
Solar quote advice
Hi everyone, I'm a newbie to the MSE forums. I would like some advice regarding a solar and battery quote I recently received for an 11 panel Eurener system (bifacial 450w panels fitted to south facing pitched roof) combined with a FoxESS hybrid 5kW H1 inverter and 10.36kWh EP11 battery. I have been quoted £10,695 fully…
-
Export tariffs - FIT, SEG, Octopus Outgoing Agile
I was a Green Network Energy (GNE) customer and have just emerged from the transfer to EDF as Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR). I still need to get my GNE closing bill but my EDF account is fully functional, which has let me sign up for smart meters (don't all shout at once). One of the questions EDF asked was whether I…
-
Solar & battery - are they worth it
Spoiler alert - the answer is yes I've read a few threads where there is some debate about the ROI of solar. My view is that whilst a clear ROI might be good, there are a lot of variables (cost & size of system, efficiency of the property, tariff used, dual/single fuel, etc) that can make it look good or less good. Also…
