solar panel confusion

Martyn1981

Hello again, right a quick check on PVGIS (which seems to be playing up a bit, but numbers look ok).

Similar figure for the SE, I got 1,810 with a roof pitch at default 35deg. Remember these are just estimates.

Odd that they gave you a lower number for the SSW, since it should be better, and I got 1,890. Could it have been WSW?

Anyways, that's a total of 3,700. With FITs @ 15.44p and export @ 4.5p (deemed at 50% of generation), you get 3,700*17.69p = £654.53. Plus leccy savings.

All rough estimates.

Here's a link to a shop for PV 'stuff':

http://www.swithenbanks.co.uk/shop.php?c1=Solar%20Photovoltaic%20Equipment&c2=Grid%20Tie%20Inverters&c3=Samil%20Power

I think those prices are retail, without VAT. Trade would be less, and VAT for a PV install is 5%, so the site is just for you to get some idea of prices etc just to help stay on the ball.

Mart.

dreaming

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Hello again, right a quick check on PVGIS (which seems to be playing up a bit, but numbers look ok).

Anyways, that's a total of 3,700. With FITs @ 15.44p and export @ 4.5p (deemed at 50% of generation), you get 3,700*17.69p = £654.53. Plus leccy savings.

All rough estimates.

Mart.

Thanks for that - I tried the PVGIS but not my thing really - I work in Finance so numbers aren't really my speciality(!)
Those figures definitely look good to me even as a rough estimate. I am currently paying 648 a year for gas and elec. (although that will probably rocket when I come off the fix) so those estimates would cover me without any power savings I could make, and that is my main aim - to reduce monthly outgoings as much as possible. It seems, as they say, a no-brainer. Just need to get the set-up costs down as much as possible, and order the sunshine.

Martyn1981

dreaming wrote: »

Thanks for that - I tried the PVGIS but not my thing really - I work in Finance so numbers aren't really my speciality(!)

My pleasure. Those numbers are probably a good starting point, I just stuck a pin in Northampton, chose 2kWp for each roof, and left the defaults alone. If you can get slightly more precise orientations and roof pitches (from the guys quoting), I'll run it again a bit more accurately.

Assuming no shading, then 3,600 seems a good place to start. If you are concerned about the income / costs, then I'd knock another 10% off, just for paranoia purposes - better to be cautious and then pleased with better results.

Shading is important, not so much in winter, but March to October generation is much higher, so even small percentage losses start to have a higher impact on actual numbers. Now is a great time to consider such issues, as we're only 8 weeks from the lowest sun angles.

So check no shading from objects such as trees etc, which you seem pretty happy about. Also check how your roofs interact, do they shade each other at different times. If they don't now, then they won't when the sun gets higher and higher, but might as the sun rises and sets further to the east and west - does that make sense!!

As I said, it's all about getting as much info as possible so that you are better informed when decision time comes. looking good though, best of luck.

Mart.

dreaming

Martyn1981 wrote: »

My pleasure. Those numbers are probably a good starting point, I just stuck a pin in Northampton, chose 2kWp for each roof, and left the defaults alone. If you can get slightly more precise orientations and roof pitches (from the guys quoting), I'll run it again a bit more accurately.

Assuming no shading, then 3,600 seems a good place to start. If you are concerned about the income / costs, then I'd knock another 10% off, just for paranoia purposes - better to be cautious and then pleased with better results.

Shading is important, not so much in winter, but March to October generation is much higher, so even small percentage losses start to have a higher impact on actual numbers. Now is a great time to consider such issues, as we're only 8 weeks from the lowest sun angles.

So check no shading from objects such as trees etc, which you seem pretty happy about. Also check how your roofs interact, do they shade each other at different times. If they don't now, then they won't when the sun gets higher and higher, but might as the sun rises and sets further to the east and west - does that make sense!!

As I said, it's all about getting as much info as possible so that you are better informed when decision time comes. looking good though, best of luck.

Mart.

The SE roof will get shaded in the afternoon due to the pitch (?) of the roof but the other panel should get complete sun from about 11 a.m. to 5-6p.m.

I have spoken to a local company today who have given me a "ballpark" figure of 6,200. They are coming out Thursday to look at the details but that figure seems much better and, being local, I would feel more confident in them.

Thank you for sharing your information so freely - it has made me feel that I can go into this with my eyes open. However I am now boring everyone I meet with solar panel obsession! I can hardly wait until I can post my figures on the forum

tunnel

dreaming wrote: »

Thank you for sharing your information so freely - it has made me feel that I can go into this with my eyes open. However I am now boring everyone I meet with solar panel obsession! I can hardly wait until I can post my figures on the forum

Ha,wait till you have them up and running and your "checking" your generation daily,then you'll understand obsessive. Once you do, hop over to the "renewables thread",you'll find a nice friendly bunch of like minded enthusiasts. :rotfl:

Tunnel

dreaming

Just heard back from the company who quoted first for the 2.5 system. His price would be 4999 all-in for a 4kw although he said he would have to re-visit to confirm measurments as he didn't do the back roof earlier.
So far then I have a firm quote of 7,999, and 2 ballpark quotes of 4,999, and 6,200. That's quite a difference. I am going to look into the companies tonight and get a feeling for how reliable/stable they seem (back into my comfort zone with that). Quite fancy the local one even though they are the middle price (6,200) as I know they are an established firm and if there are any problems they are round the corner, so to speak.

Martyn1981

dreaming wrote: »

Just heard back from the company who quoted first for the 2.5 system. His price would be 4999 all-in for a 4kw although he said he would have to re-visit to confirm measurments as he didn't do the back roof earlier.
So far then I have a firm quote of 7,999, and 2 ballpark quotes of 4,999, and 6,200. That's quite a difference. I am going to look into the companies tonight and get a feeling for how reliable/stable they seem (back into my comfort zone with that). Quite fancy the local one even though they are the middle price (6,200) as I know they are an established firm and if there are any problems they are round the corner, so to speak.

Evening, appreciate the £4,999 is a ballpark, but I think that's the first sub £5k I've actually heard. Seen a few 'from £4,995' on ads, but not for real before now. Interesting.

You don't waste time do you? When you've got details for all the quotes, slap em on here, and we'll all have a nose. Definitely worth posting the inverter so we can check for dual MPPT, and also ask all of them what the panel split will be, just to make sure each string has a high enough voltage.

Then, before long, you'll be able to do as tunnel says, pop on the 'talking bout my generation' thread and post your numbers. Throw a quick insult at Oscar and Shafeeq and you'll fit in fine.

Just a thought, you said you found the FAQ thread a bit overpowering. It's still a living, growing entity that lots of us knocked together. If you want to post any ideas on the thread, suggestions etc, then that would be greatly appreciated. Or send me a PM if you like. The idea is that it's by PV'ers to help prospective PV'ers, but as is often the case, when you get inside, you sometimes lose perspective of the view from outside.

All the best.

Mart.

dreaming

Have now had 3 quotes for 16 panel 4kw system and a bit of a mixed bag - £4,999, £6475, & £7,999.
£4,999 uses Ulica panels and SMA ("or good") inverter but does not break it down. He also did not suggest a 4kw system but originally quoted £3,600 for 2.5kw. I went back and asked for the price for 4kw and he returned with the 4,999.
£7,999 uses JAsolar panels and Samil inverter. Salesman also talked at me for an hour and a half but mainly about how rubbish all the other companies were.
£6,475 uses Canadian Solar panels and SMA inverter. He was the only one who went up into the roof, and explained that the inverter should be fitted on a brick wall where possible to minimise noise vibration, and for safety. These are also a local firm who have been around for many years. I might go back and see if there is some room for manoeuvre on the price.
They all come in round about the same with FITS/export (as expected although there seems to be some confusion about the direction of the rooves) but the 7999 one reckons I can save £228pa on electric, whereas the other estimate between 110 and 130pa.
I have another company coming on Saturday, but they are already in my bad books by messing about with the appointment. I feel more comfortable with the local firm although would like a couple of hundred more off the price. The most expensive one is out for - well, being the most expensive. Haven't ruled out the cheapest one but have doubts as he did not suggest the 4kw, and didn't inspect the loft. Will have a think over the weekend and see if the local firm will move on price.

BTW Martyn. I have re-read some of the FAQ sticky and although there is quite a bit that seems very technical I think my confusion rests mainly with me as I tend to skim read (bad habit from work) but this requires a bit more concentration. People I have spoken to (bored) this week have all said they didn't understand the import/export bit, and thought that it should mean that you don't get an elec bill any more. Pleased to say that with the simple explanation given by Rogerblack (and all the other help from others) I can explain it in layman's terms, and may have "sold" the concept to a colleague.

tunnel

dreaming wrote: »

Have now had 3 quotes for 16 panel 4kw system and a bit of a mixed bag - £4,999, £6475, & £7,999.
£4,999 uses Ulica panels and SMA ("or good") inverter but does not break it down. He also did not suggest a 4kw system but originally quoted £3,600 for 2.5kw. I went back and asked for the price for 4kw and he returned with the 4,999.
£7,999 uses JAsolar panels and Samil inverter. Salesman also talked at me for an hour and a half but mainly about how rubbish all the other companies were.
£6,475 uses Canadian Solar panels and SMA inverter. He was the only one who went up into the roof, and explained that the inverter should be fitted on a brick wall where possible to minimise noise vibration, and for safety. These are also a local firm who have been around for many years. I might go back and see if there is some room for manoeuvre on the price.
They all come in round about the same with FITS/export (as expected although there seems to be some confusion about the direction of the rooves) but the 7999 one reckons I can save £228pa on electric, whereas the other estimate between 110 and 130pa.
I have another company coming on Saturday, but they are already in my bad books by messing about with the appointment. I feel more comfortable with the local firm although would like a couple of hundred more off the price. The most expensive one is out for - well, being the most expensive. Haven't ruled out the cheapest one but have doubts as he did not suggest the 4kw, and didn't inspect the loft. Will have a think over the weekend and see if the local firm will move on price.

BTW Martyn. I have re-read some of the FAQ sticky and although there is quite a bit that seems very technical I think my confusion rests mainly with me as I tend to skim read (bad habit from work) but this requires a bit more concentration. People I have spoken to (bored) this week have all said they didn't understand the import/export bit, and thought that it should mean that you don't get an elec bill any more. Pleased to say that with the simple explanation given by Rogerblack (and all the other help from others) I can explain it in layman's terms, and may have "sold" the concept to a colleague.

£4999 seems a very good price,my dad had a similar price for an 2k-east/2k-west split but never followed it through. Just a thought,but how much have you sold it to a colleague,enough to pass on a lead to the solar companies? Commision springs to mind,lump sum off yours?,if you don't ask you don't get. Just don't rush it,there's plenty of time before the rates drop again as Martyn has stated.

Tunnel

dreaming

Well after a couple more weeks of getting prices etc. and cogitating I have today ordered my PV system. Decided to go with the local firm at 6475 for a 4kw system (8SE/8SW) +SMA inverter. Others were roundabout that price, except for one of the first ones which was 7999, and the cheapest at 4999. The cheapest didn't feel right - reckoned they could do the fitting in half a day, and although I don't know that much about that side of things it seemed a bit of a throwaway remark. Much as it grieves me to pay more than I have to I just felt I would have more peace of mind with local established firm who also have a building side which I might be able to utilise later in the year. So deposit has been paid - now have to wait for the 7 day cooling off period then hopefully will have everything done by end of March.
I was also spurred on to get going on this project by the talk of negative interest rates. Thought my cash would be better on my roof earning me some FITS than sitting in my measly ISA. Also got all my cash figures from work regarding redundancy in August and feeling very positive about that too. So I will be well placed for using all that lovely leccy in the daytime.