Solar Panel Guide Discussion

Martyn1981

EricMears wrote: »

Whoops ! The further N you are, the more summer daylight hours you get (think 'midnight Sun' in Norway). The slightly longer absorbtion path through atmosphere would give a less intense noon peak in the North but I suspect that's rather less significant than the extra day length.

DNO approval wasn't hard to get. It may have helped our case that we have exclusive use of a nearby poletop transformer on an 11KV line but afaik it was just a case of installer having an extra form to fill in and waiting a few days extra for approval (but that was well within panel order lead time).

OK, now it's my head that's hurting! Isn't it the less intense noon peak that is critical to this calculation. So an inverter that does better for longer hours, but is less capable of coping with the noon peak would be the argument. I think, I need more coffee.

Which DNO approval did you get. They assessed the application for more than 3.68kWp but were happy that the set-up would comply with 16A rules, because of the inverter. Or, approval to exceed 16A (G59 I think, or maybe it's G83 stage 2, can't remember).

The first is simple, because they look at the set-up and know that it will comply due to inverter, so it's a paper exercise, or many installers don't even bother getting prior approval due to the interpretation of DNC & TIC. Haven't explained that well, try again, installer seeks prior approval for a 3.68kWp system, that will comply with 3.68kW rules - DNO fast approval, hopefully.

The second is trickier, as DNO will have to look at local kit, and the number of local installations, and if 'hardening' is required, they'll probably charge you for the work.

I've probably got everyone's head hurting now!

Mart.

EricMears

Martyn1981 wrote: »

I've probably got everyone's head hurting now!

Mart.

Not mine anyway.

Solar panel installer explained that a 4kwp installation would be more than 16A and asked if we wanted to risk the delay whilst he applied for approval - we did.

In the event, the local supplier (originally EMEB then someone else but now Western PD) sent back approval docs within a week or two.

In fact our 'local network' is about as simple as it can get in that an 11kv o/h line passes within 5 metres of our property with a pole less than 10 metres from meter cabinet (that bit's not a coincidence - we put cabinet there on purpose). A brand new (15 years ago) three phase transformer on that pole supplies our 230v single phase installation and nobody else. We could therefore have specified a 100A connection without WP raising any valid objection.

Martyn1981

EricMears wrote: »

Not mine anyway.

Hiya Eric, no need to shout!

Your DNO guys sound more sensible than mine. I rang up and asked for 3,700Wp, but only had 7 days to get approval. Bod 1 said that a full investigation needed for 3,680W compliance, and could take up to the full 10 weeks!!!!!!! I explained the G83 status of the chosen inverters, system losses, household consumption, etc, etc, but no luck, so gave up.

1 week later, and morning of the install (revised to 3,580W - better lay out anyway), got a call from Bod 2, asking if my install (not knowing I'd changed my plans) would have G83 compliant inverters. I said yes, to which he replied, so why are you bothering to ask us then? AAAHHHhhhhhh.

Early days I guess.

Mart.

Edit: PS So you're getting paid in advance now, lucky fellah!

EricMears

Not shouting ! Input box has a mind of its own and picks a font at random.

This one seems to be back to normal (or at least was before edit)

EricMears

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Your guys sound more sensible than mine.

Guess it was something to do with picking a local chap who had a good working relationship with the supply company.

dab43

Barter wrote: »

Who is Sandy Heath, and doesn't it seem a bit voyeuristic to go on your roof to look at her?

...and it's a bit non-PC to call someone a 'dish' these days; and don't get me started on "feeding the wife's box"...

OOOH ! You are awful . But I like you!.

-MRS_T-

Looking for some help please.

I am using the link http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php

In the Azimuth box if

0 is South
45 is S/W
-45 is S/E

what would the rest be East, West, North East North West etc be please

sly_dog_jonah

-MRS_T- wrote: »

Looking for some help please.

I am using the link http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php

In the Azimuth box if

0 is South
45 is S/W
-45 is S/E

what would the rest be East, West, North East North West etc be please

That site uses South as azimuth, so you can use this table and subtract 180deg to get a True South based azimuth angle.

Martyn1981

-MRS_T- wrote: »

Looking for some help please.

I am using the link http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php

In the Azimuth box if

0 is South
45 is S/W
-45 is S/E

what would the rest be East, West, North East North West etc be please

Hiya Mrs T. Azimuth, is basically point of interest, so for PV it's the sun, and for the northern hemisphere the sun is to the south. Hence why south is zero (the starting point). So from there, the 360 degrees of the compass still apply. Before south 0 to -180, and after south 0 to +180 degrees.

East is -90
West +90
NE -135
NW +135

and so on.

Mart.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

-MRS_T- wrote: »

Looking for some help please.

I am using the link http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php

In the Azimuth box if

0 is South
45 is S/W
-45 is S/E

what would the rest be East, West, North East North West etc be please

East = -90
West = 90
North East = -135
North West = 135
etc = dunno

Edit: beaten to it!