Thoughts on my solar quote (Installed 17.1.14)

ChopperST

Hi All,

Have now received some quotes for my system and the company I like best have quoted £6595 for a Solarworld monoblack 4kwp system with a Steca inverter. I have had an electrician friend suggest an SMA inverter instead which would add £200 to the quote.

They have also suggested an i-solar immersion system for an extra £300.

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.

tunnel

ChopperST wrote: »

Hi All,

Have now received some quotes for my system and the company I like best have quoted £6595 for a Solarworld monoblack 4kwp system with a Steca inverter. I have had an electrician friend suggest an SMA inverter instead which would add £200 to the quote.

They have also suggested an i-solar immersion system for an extra £300.

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.

Sounds a good deal to me but do you have any shading issues? SMA's are a great piece of kit but tend not to work too well when there's a shading problem. As for Steca, I really couldn't comment. I'd be inclined to push for the £6595 with the SMA included in the deal.


Getting the I-solar would also be a good idea to increase your payback(that is assuming you have an immersion tank), that way your using your spare electric(not gas) to heat your water for free...win win


tunnel

ChopperST

No no shading issues at all.

My electrician friend has recommended to ask for the SMA as it is easily serviceable in the UK and is tried and tested, as well as having the bluetooth monitoring. The Steca does come with a 7 year warranty v the SMA 5 year.

Still undecided about the isolar as there is only two of us at the moment but with plans to start a family and this is our forever home and hot water use will then start to increase. The installer has quoted £350 to fit post install so not too much extra if we change our mind at a later date...

tunnel

ChopperST wrote: »

No no shading issues at all.

My electrician friend has recommended to ask for the SMA as it is easily serviceable in the UK and is tried and tested, as well as having the bluetooth monitoring. The Steca does come with a 7 year warranty v the SMA 5 year.

Still undecided about the isolar as there is only two of us at the moment but with plans to start a family and this is our forever home and hot water use will then start to increase. The installer has quoted £350 to fit post install so not too much extra if we change our mind at a later date...

I'd plump for the I-solar now if you can afford to. Its still cheap/free hot water for yourselves irrelevant of whether you use it or not(better to have than have not). I have a young family too and am trying to get a hot water tank installed to sit alongside my combi boiler as I have 6.5kWp of panels installed so should get plenty of excess generated leccy to heat it.

EricMears

ChopperST wrote: »

They have also suggested an i-solar immersion system for an extra £300.

ChopperST wrote: »

The installer has quoted £350 to fit post install so not too much extra if we change our mind at a later date...

Were those two quotes with or without vat ?

Every chance that if it was fitted as part of the SP installation contract it might be vat-rated at 5% but if fitted as a separate job it would be 20%

You'd expect a separate visit to cost at least the £50 difference quoted so with the vat difference you might be looking at £100 saving.

ChopperST

Good point.

Yes checking the paperwork, both quotes are ex VAT so its £315 at the time of install.

Will add it in, as you say it makes sense.

We are in a 6 month old new build which is C energy rated at present.

If we change the lighting to LEDS, add the panels and the i-solar we just creep into the A bracket which makes sense over a 20 year time frame to guard against future energy price rises.

ChopperST

Booked the install.

Got a 4KW system with the steca inverter and the solar i-boost for £6695 all in. Scaffolding going up next Weds.

ChopperST

All done and installed - would definitely recommend the company who did it, thanks for those who took the time to reply.

- They Guarantee their estimates on our generation to within 5% - if its out they pay us the difference.
- 10 year warranty on their workmanship as well as the warranty on the panels and inverter, if anyone is looking in the Leeds area - feel free to contact me via pm for more details.

The power diverter unit they brought was faulty and that has had to go back and they will come back this week to fit.

Only paid 50% they don't take payment till the job is finished and we are completely happy.

Now to try and utilise the system as efficiently as possible and will welcome any suggestions / recommendations.

The inverter is in the roof space but we have a live monitor in the house to show us the current generation.

tunnel

Have a look at the wattson solar plus, i don't have one but am told they're a very handy piece of kit. Its similar to the immersion switch..as in will turn stuff on and off as or when there's spare leccy going begging.

You could also take a look on here
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3853851

Good way of comparing your generation with like minded folk, plus helps to keep an eye on how your performing.

ChopperST

Thanks Tunnel will have a look, I'm sure the novelty of watching the energy monitor will wear off over time!

tunnel

ChopperST wrote: »

Thanks Tunnel will have a look, I'm sure the novelty of watching the energy monitor will wear off over time!

ERRR... don't bank on it. Novelty's not worn off in 2 years(sad i know)

I've just retro fitted my garage with a solaredge inverter and power optimisers which you can then connect over the net. I can now see my generation on an app on my phone(can then ring the wife to tell her to turn on/off appliances):D