Free solar panel discussion

slacky555

HomeSun_company_representative wrote: »

Hi slacky555,

As a 2.6kWp system, your property would have been fitted with 13 * 200kW panels made by Kioto and an Invertor by Fronius, although an equivalent unit manufactured by SMA may be used. Both the panels and invertors have a 5 year product warranty.

In terms of performance Kioto guarantee 90% of the nominal output for period of 10 years; not less than 80% of the nominal output for a period of 25 years.

Thanks

Krish

The panels being fitted are ZEN not Kioto as suggested by your eaga manager.

BrummyGit

Can anyone give me more details of actual Solar PV installations, and in particular HomeSun?

My interests are around the following:

1. What items and connections are installed near my consumer unit - I have a crowded meter box.
2. How is the system actually connected to my house power supply
3. What meter is installed by HomeSun that allows me to see my generation output - is it inside the house and is it wireless?
4. Is there any wiring accessible (safely) to install clamps for my own energy monitor to the Solar PV output, and also to the combined house consumption. I would need to be able to get at just a single cable and Live + Neutral together won't work.
5. If HomeSun install a 3.52KWp system with 16 x 220w panels what panels are installed
6. If HomeSun install a 3.52KWp system with 16 x 220w panels what inverter is installed

I understand that the flow of electricity by preference from the Solar is controlled by the inverter managing it's output voltage to be marginally higher than the grid voltage and therefore ensuring that when electricity flows from High voltage to Low voltage the Solar output is used first.

Being of a technical and also questioning mind, has anyone been able to prove that this all works OK and that they consume little or no grid electricity until all of their generation is consumed, and then just top up with grid sourced power?

I'd be happy to hear plenty of real experiences.

Thanks

zeupater

BrummyGit wrote: »

Can anyone give me more details of actual Solar PV installations, and in particular HomeSun?







My interests are around the following:

1. What items and connections are installed near my consumer unit - I have a crowded meter box.
2. How is the system actually connected to my house power supply
3. What meter is installed by HomeSun that allows me to see my generation output - is it inside the house and is it wireless?
4. Is there any wiring accessible (safely) to install clamps for my own energy monitor to the Solar PV output, and also to the combined house consumption. I would need to be able to get at just a single cable and Live + Neutral together won't work.
5. If HomeSun install a 3.52KWp system with 16 x 220w panels what panels are installed
6. If HomeSun install a 3.52KWp system with 16 x 220w panels what inverter is installed

I understand that the flow of electricity by preference from the Solar is controlled by the inverter managing it's output voltage to be marginally higher than the grid voltage and therefore ensuring that when electricity flows from High voltage to Low voltage the Solar output is used first.

Being of a technical and also questioning mind, has anyone been able to prove that this all works OK and that they consume little or no grid electricity until all of their generation is consumed, and then just top up with grid sourced power?

I'd be happy to hear plenty of real experiences.

Thanks

Hi

Firstly .... Yes they work.

And, in order .......

1 Depending on the location of you consumer/distribution panel in relation to the meter cupboard and the availability of spare capacity in the panel & whether your wiring is up to current standards.

2 Either through your existing consumer unit (fuse box) or a new (additional) small consumer unit connected in line via a new junction box.

3 You will have some form of total generation meter - Rent-a-roof companies will use the readings from this meter to claim THEIR FiTs and THEIR assumed export value for THEIR generation .... you will generate nothing, but will be able to use some of the generated power without charge, on a 3.52kWp system this is very unlikely to be a significant proportion of the total power generated and is very likely to be worth around (or even below) £100/year even if you attempt to change your usage profile to maximise the benifit to yourself. There is also the possibility that some makes of inverters have a display interface .... it is unlikely that any providers of 'free' systems would absorb the extra cost of a wireless display.

4 Depends on whether the installer uses multi-core AC cable or single core tails between the inverter and the consumer unit and whether there is a contract clause to prohibit you from touching THEIR installation.

5 Apart from asthetics this doesn't really make any difference to yourself. The Rent-a-roof scheme operators will use cheap generic modules which meet their own cost, performance & reliability requirements.

6 Again, the make is irrelevant as the performance requirements are set by the Rent-a-Roof scheme operator. As long as the inverter has the appropriate certification they will assume that it's not likely to burn your house down. Perhaps the question should be re-phrased to "Who's insurance covers the possibility of an inverter induced house-fire causing structural damage or complete loss & who's insurance covers the replacement of the 'free' pv system ?


Inverters will draw power whilst in standby mode, depending on the make this can be typically in the range of <1W to 40W, so the possibility of you paying up to £20/year for the privilege of powering their equipment .... perhaps all of the rent-a-roof companies could provide their assessment of the standby mode costs for the inverters they supply so that we can subtract the cost from the 'free' power benefit .... :rotfl:

HTH
Z

BrummyGit

zeupater wrote: »

Hi

Firstly .... Yes they work.

And, in order .......

1 Depending on the location of you consumer/distribution panel in relation to the meter cupboard and the availability of spare capacity in the panel & whether your wiring is up to current standards.

2 Either through your existing consumer unit (fuse box) or a new (additional) small consumer unit connected in line via a new junction box.

3 You will have some form of total generation meter - Rent-a-roof companies will use the readings from this meter to claim THEIR FiTs and THEIR assumed export value for THEIR generation .... you will generate nothing, but will be able to use some of the generated power without charge, on a 3.52kWp system this is very unlikely to be a significant proportion of the total power generated and is very likely to be worth around (or even below) £100/year even if you attempt to change your usage profile to maximise the benifit to yourself. There is also the possibility that some makes of inverters have a display interface .... it is unlikely that any providers of 'free' systems would absorb the extra cost of a wireless display.

4 Depends on whether the installer uses multi-core AC cable or single core tails between the inverter and the consumer unit and whether there is a contract clause to prohibit you from touching THEIR installation.

5 Apart from asthetics this doesn't really make any difference to yourself. The Rent-a-roof scheme operators will use cheap generic modules which meet their own cost, performance & reliability requirements.

6 Again, the make is irrelevant as the performance requirements are set by the Rent-a-Roof scheme operator. As long as the inverter has the appropriate certification they will assume that it's not likely to burn your house down. Perhaps the question should be re-phrased to "Who's insurance covers the possibility of an inverter induced house-fire causing structural damage or complete loss & who's insurance covers the replacement of the 'free' pv system ?


Inverters will draw power whilst in standby mode, depending on the make this can be typically in the range of <1W to 40W, so the possibility of you paying up to £20/year for the privilege of powering their equipment .... perhaps all of the rent-a-roof companies could provide their assessment of the standby mode costs for the inverters they supply so that we can subtract the cost from the 'free' power benefit .... :rotfl:

HTH
Z

Hi zeupater

Thanks for replying :beer: .......I get the distinct feeling that you are not a particular fan on rent-a-roof schemes, but I appreciate your answers.

1 & 2. Our wiring is pretty much up to date having had building work done in the last few years, so I was assuming that a simple breaker in the consumer unit is enough for connection - I was was hoping for some confirmation of exactly what is required.

3. I can see that there is little motivation for rent-a-roof to provide additional meters at cost, I was hoping that someone could give me some specific advice on what (and where) HomeSun install. I think the inverter would likely be in the loft, and as HomeSun use mobile networks to collect data I wonder if they install their metering in a high place, or near my existing meter, or something more convenient?

4. That was really my question about HomeSun specifically - do they use multi-core or single core tails at either the consumer unit, meter or inverter where I can fit a consumer grade meter clamp - ie non-invasive and therefore I cannot see an issue in adding this, just as I am able to add one to my grid supply prior to my official meter.

5. Panels do matter to me - performance characteristics affect the electricity I will be able to use, and covering my baseline usage for as much time as possible is helpful, so for example a higher yield at lower light levels is helpful - knowing the panel manufacturer helps with a decision on which rent-a-roof supplier to select. At the same time more electricity = more FiT payments for rent-a-roof so panel efficiency and reliability is important for them too - failures may be covered by panel warranty but maintenance visits are expensive.

6. You countered your own "it doesn't matter" argument yourself. Inverter efficiency is important for my benefit plus their FiT payments, and reliability matters as above. For me the running cost when not generating is a consideration so I do want to know.

As for the comments about fire - it's a very low risk, but I am insured for fire and rent-a-roof is insured for 3rd party liability so I am not too concerned. There is more chance of the dishwasher going up (I know of a few), the lint in the tumble dryer catching fire, or someone knocking an ornamental candle over.

A number of my questions were about what to expect, and the remainder were around making an informed decision between different suppliers.

sho_me_da_money

If you opt for the solar panel option, can you get them on Finance? If so, what's the damage with regards to interest.

Gizmosmum_2

sho_me_da_money wrote: »

If you opt for the solar panel option, can you get them on Finance? If so, what's the damage with regards to interest.

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Cashback-Calculator Have a look here - it's free, impartial, advice, not from installers who have an interest. There's a calculator that tells you what the impact of paying interest will have on your potential savings.

If you can't find what you need then give your local advice centre a ring on 0800 512 012 they'll go through everything with you.

HomeSun_company_representative

BrummyGit wrote: »

Can anyone give me more details of actual Solar PV installations, and in particular HomeSun?



My interests are around the following:

1. What items and connections are installed near my consumer unit - I have a crowded meter box.
2. How is the system actually connected to my house power supply
3. What meter is installed by HomeSun that allows me to see my generation output - is it inside the house and is it wireless?
4. Is there any wiring accessible (safely) to install clamps for my own energy monitor to the Solar PV output, and also to the combined house consumption. I would need to be able to get at just a single cable and Live + Neutral together won't work.
5. If HomeSun install a 3.52KWp system with 16 x 220w panels what panels are installed
6. If HomeSun install a 3.52KWp system with 16 x 220w panels what inverter is installed

I understand that the flow of electricity by preference from the Solar is controlled by the inverter managing it's output voltage to be marginally higher than the grid voltage and therefore ensuring that when electricity flows from High voltage to Low voltage the Solar output is used first.

Being of a technical and also questioning mind, has anyone been able to prove that this all works OK and that they consume little or no grid electricity until all of their generation is consumed, and then just top up with grid sourced power?

I'd be happy to hear plenty of real experiences.

Thanks

Hi BrummyGit,

I've passed your questions to the relevent technical person. As soon as I get a response I will be in touch.

Krish

BrummyGit

HomeSun_company_representative wrote: »

Hi BrummyGit,

I've passed your questions to the relevent technical person. As soon as I get a response I will be in touch.

Krish

Perfect thanks - I was just thinking that I should have emailed directly. I will drop you a quick note and if you prefer you can reply by email.

zeupater

HomeSun_company_representative wrote: »

Hi BrummyGit,

I've passed your questions to the relevent technical person. As soon as I get a response I will be in touch.

Krish

Hi Krish

As it's been mentioned ..... can you look into and provide the standby power requirements for the range of inverters you install. It would be useful for potential customers (suppliers ??) to see what they will be paying to power your units whilst it's dark outside, it's probably not a lot, but then again, they don't save a lot on their bills ...

Z

cradbent

BrummyGit wrote: »

Can anyone give me more details of actual Solar PV installations, and in particular HomeSun?


My interests are around the following:

1. What items and connections are installed near my consumer unit - I have a crowded meter box.
2. How is the system actually connected to my house power supply
3. What meter is installed by HomeSun that allows me to see my generation output - is it inside the house and is it wireless?
4. Is there any wiring accessible (safely) to install clamps for my own energy monitor to the Solar PV output, and also to the combined house consumption. I would need to be able to get at just a single cable and Live + Neutral together won't work.
5. If HomeSun install a 3.52KWp system with 16 x 220w panels what panels are installed
6. If HomeSun install a 3.52KWp system with 16 x 220w panels what inverter is installed

I understand that the flow of electricity by preference from the Solar is controlled by the inverter managing it's output voltage to be marginally higher than the grid voltage and therefore ensuring that when electricity flows from High voltage to Low voltage the Solar output is used first.

Being of a technical and also questioning mind, has anyone been able to prove that this all works OK and that they consume little or no grid electricity until all of their generation is consumed, and then just top up with grid sourced power?

I'd be happy to hear plenty of real experiences.

Thanks

My Homesun SolarShare (the one that costs £500) was installed last week. I can only tell you what I have

1) I had a spare circuit on my modern fuse box in a very crowded cupboard so nothing else had to be added.
2) 2.5mm twin and earth runs from that, concealed, to my isolator and export meter. 2.5mm runs from that to inverter in the loft.
3) My export meter is on my landing. It's an Elster AS230 - not wireless, but does give cumulative and real-time display. Shame there's no manual supplied.
4) Don't see how you could do it without tampering.
5) I've got 16x220W ZEN PVs
6) There's a Fronius IG-TL Inverter in the loft (can't remember that precise model). Extensive manual. Similar display options to meter plus allegedly a USB port that can be used to get .csv format stats. Haven't tried it yet but I will.

Neat install in less than 1 day. I doubt I've exported anything throughout this grey week, but I believe it has made a small difference to my background consumption (time and sunshine, will tell). I will be changing to a more solar lifestyle to reduce my CO2 footprint. Lets see what I can generate over the next year. Hopefully enough to dampen some of this forum's cynicism.:)