Free solar panel discussion

Gizmosmum_2

energysavingexp wrote: »

Re the cat:
I think it must have been raining cats and dogs at some point
and as for the shadow from the wire for 24 hrs i think we can safely
discount the night hours as this wont make any difference.

but please tell me more about the Micro inverters i am realy intrested in that.
do you mean ( say plugging in lots of 12v grid tie inverters to each panel?):beer:

The theory is that a single micro inverter is attached to each panel meaning that shade on one panel only stops that panel from working. They allegedly last much longer than the usual inverters, potentially at least for the lifetime of the fit - although how they measure this with new technology I don't know.

They are safer to install because you're not harnessing 10 or 11 panels together but take longer to install because they are attached to each panel.

I'm looking into it further at the minute but it appears that the extra up front cost of installing (and the inverters are a bit mjore expensive) is offset against the inverter lasting as long as the panels and reduced impact of shading.

I'm sure there will be some suitably qualified engineering boffins who'll be able to shed a bit more light (forgive the pun!) on the subject.

espresso

energysavingexp wrote: »

do you mean ( say plugging in lots of 12v grid tie inverters to each panel?):beer:

No each panel has it's own micro inverter.

see here

zeupater

Hi

I'm in two minds about microinverters .....

On one side is the argument that they are small and comparatively cheap to replace when/if they fail (and they will) ....... On the other side, more units create more likelyhood of failure and although individual units would be very cheap to replace compared to full system inverters, there's the H&S aspects to consider, so when adding scaffolding costs, safety harnessing etc what would the full replacement cost be ?

.... Still haven't made my mind up on this one, so if 'rent-a-roof' installers wan't to go this way they'll take the risks, me, if I was looking at paying for an installation I'd probably wait to see how the market develops first so would not currently consider them as an option ..... now, modular GTIs, that's another story

Microinverter information link .... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_micro-inverter

Equaliser123

Assuming that micro-inverters aren't a retrofit?

Separate point - I've ordered a system - 3.2kwp with a SMA 3000 inverter. I understand that to read the outputs of the panel, I would need to trot into the attic each time. Any ideas how I could get hold of a wireless reader which I could spend many a happy hour watching? The supplier of the system don't seem able to assist.

Gizmosmum_2

Equaliser123 wrote: »

Assuming that micro-inverters aren't a retrofit?

Separate point - I've ordered a system - 3.2kwp with a SMA 3000 inverter. I understand that to read the outputs of the panel, I would need to trot into the attic each time. Any ideas how I could get hold of a wireless reader which I could spend many a happy hour watching? The supplier of the system don't seem able to assist.

You can get wireless monitors but at a cost of £200 + vat and installation I decided not to bother. They are widely available but still quite expensive. Surprised your supplier couldn't source something it's an opportunity to provide an extra service..

energysavingexp

Equaliser123 wrote: »

Assuming that micro-inverters aren't a retrofit?

Separate point - I've ordered a system - 3.2kwp with a SMA 3000 inverter. I understand that to read the outputs of the panel, I would need to trot into the attic each time. Any ideas how I could get hold of a wireless reader which I could spend many a happy hour watching? The supplier of the system don't seem able to assist.

they should fit a meter next to your fuse box.
but if you want to buy a remote monitor you can buy them at most electrical shops or argos
the transmitter clips over one of the tails and the reciever goes where you want it they cost about £20

Gizmosmum_2

energysavingexp wrote: »

they should fit a meter next to your fuse box.
but if you want to buy a remote monitor you can buy them at most electrical shops or argos
the transmitter clips over one of the tails and the reciever goes where you want it they cost about £20

The meter next to your consumer box is a generation meter and shows cumulative energy generation not how much at any particular time. This is shown on the inverter in the loft or on remote monitors that work via blue tooth. The Owl type meters only tell you what you're using not what you're generating.

Equaliser123

energysavingexp wrote: »

they should fit a meter next to your fuse box.
but if you want to buy a remote monitor you can buy them at most electrical shops or argos
the transmitter clips over one of the tails and the reciever goes where you want it they cost about £20

Thanks for that. I've got a spare electricity consumption monitor - I guess that will do?

They've not mentioned about the meter - only the inverter. Presumably I will need a meter in order to claim the FIT. To be honest, I had assumed that this would just be from the inverter.

furndire

Evo Energy provided me with a remote monitor. Not good reading today though, as its very cloudy.
If you use an Owl monitor with solar, all it records is the amount of electricity flowing through the cables, they can't differentiate between outward flowing and inward flowing. I tried that when we first got solar - horrified me, as when the sun shone it showed my use of electric rocketed - thought the system wasn't working properly as I knew nothing about what was going on.

Equaliser123

Gizmosmum wrote: »

The meter next to your consumer box is a generation meter and shows cumulative energy generation not how much at any particular time. This is shown on the inverter in the loft or on remote monitors that work via blue tooth. The Owl type meters only tell you what you're using not what you're generating.

That's what I thought. But then they do effectively gauge the power going through the cable so I wonder if it would do....