Solar Quotes in Scotland

tunnel

Any way you could measure your roof? If you could place 12 of the benQ's up there you'd manage a 3.96kWp system on your good side.
When you consider that you're contemplating the 8 + 8 split I'd think paying the higher premium which would come with a higher return may actually work in your favour.


Sorry for mashing your head up, but at least if you know about them then you at least have that option.

Martyn1981

smitchy73 wrote: »

Cheers again Mart, I was advised that over 2300 kwh generation per annum was fair for a roof or roofs that were not directly south facing, and I think splitting it over two strings front and back ensures getting close to that, when I done the tool on EST website it gave me about 2500kwh i'm just waiting on the second quote coming back from the smaller company then I'll decide if I want to call the other guys who were recommended on this post and take it from there.

Morning. Right two things, actually three:

Firstly, not trying to be negative, just realistic as your set up is marginal. It sounds like it will work for you, but that's why I keep going on about getting the numbers precise.

So, secondly, have a play with PVGIS see section 5 of the FAQs for a walkthrough.

It's really easy. For now leave all defaults, just pop 2 in the kWp box, 42 in the roof pitch, and -70 then +110 in the orientation. The reason I'm pushing this, is that I got between 700 and 800 kWh/kWp for the ESE, and I think you need to put a pin on your roof to get an exact figure. For now, all you are interested in is the total at the bottom of the results table.

Thirdly (from point 2) you can then get a better idea whether to load up the ESE roof, and lessen the WNW, since it'll 'only' generate about 600kWh/kWp. Not too bad compared to 700, but something to consider (as tunnel has pointed out) especially when compared to 800.

You may even want to consider (if there's room) putting 3kWp on the ESE and 2kWp on the WNW, but that will mean getting the 10% lower FiT rate.

smitchy73 wrote: »

I did think splitting the two lots of panels on two strings would've required to go through two inverters but I've been told as long as they're on a separate string then that is fine, i'm assuming this is fine?

Yes and no. I need to be pedantic here, so that you know what you are talking about when dealing with installers and quotes.

Most inverters can handle multiple strings. This is useful to separate roof sections so that (for example) panels in the shade in the morning are on a separate string to those not in shade. That way, the poorer performing string doesn't pull down the better string. But, all strings will still go through the same MPPT (multi power point tracker) that tries to find the best voltage to run at, at any given time to maximise generation. So the strings need to be balanced (same number of panels, and the same power output) and have the same orientation, and pitch.

For your circumstances, you will need separate strings, but each string has to plug into its own MPPT, so you'll need a dual (or twin) MPPT inverter, which will run both strings separately, and they don't need to match. There are loads of these, it's not an issue, at all, but you need to know this, and run like hell from any installer who doesn't. I doubt (these days) that any installer would get this wrong.

If you want to know more, or would like a specific example, here you go:

Samil Solar River 4kW (3.68kW capped) dual inverter. 2 MPPT's with one string on each MPPT

Samil Solar River 3.68kW inverter. 1 MPPT with 2 strings.

Mart.

smitchy73

Wow, that is alot. I've played about with the PVGIS site and put in a few different ideas, including the full load on the good side of the roof, takes up the output to about 3000kWh per annum and thats just on the one side if I could squeeze 12 Benq panels on, I've a feeling i'd only get 10 panels on it which would reduce output to about 2500 kWh but thats only on the rear roof section. So very much food for thought.
Now I need to find an installed that does Benq panels to go that road.

smitchy73

Ok, after a few weeks and various quotes later, i'm now at the point where i'm almost ready to go with my preferred company for a solar pv install. However, i've got one query, their quote is based on some chinese panels - Perlight 250w and a Solar River Inverter, 16 panels for £6300.
I asked about other panels and the price would increase by the following LG Mono X £180, or for the BenQ sunforte 327w Mono black would see an increase of £1030.
I'm not sure what the difference would be in regards to the payback etc for the increase and if it would be worth it or not, perhaps others can share details.
I believe the Perlight are all black panels, where the LG at least you get the silver frame and cell diamonds to see, although this may bother some but personally I don't.
Cheers all.

[Deleted User]

smitchy73 wrote: »

Ok, after a few weeks and various quotes later, i'm now at the point where i'm almost ready to go with my preferred company for a solar pv install. However, i've got one query, their quote is based on some chinese panels - Perlight 250w and a Solar River Inverter, 16 panels for £6300.
I asked about other panels and the price would increase by the following LG Mono X £180, or for the BenQ sunforte 327w Mono black would see an increase of £1030.
I'm not sure what the difference would be in regards to the payback etc for the increase and if it would be worth it or not, perhaps others can share details.
I believe the Perlight are all black panels, where the LG at least you get the silver frame and cell diamonds to see, although this may bother some but personally I don't.
Cheers all.

None of us has a crystal ball but I chose brands with a long track record so there was a good chance is spare parts/service in the future. As it turned out a neighbours shed disintegrated in a storm which hit one of our panels However there was no issue getting a replacement.

As for colour of panels it depends on the roof...On some roofs the silver edged look great whereas on the same tile black is awful.

As our roof is welsh slate our panels are black edged but the actual panel is not the blackest, anyway looks great

Cheers

smitchy73

To throw another spanner in the work, i've had another quote, final one!

Although it's expensive it seems to be more reliable(possibly) panels and inverter. Antaris panels(German) all black, as well as an ABB Inverter.

Price is the sticky with this one taking it up to £7995.

I used to be indecisive, now I'm just not sure!!

tunnel

£7995, no no no no no.
You're only in Scotland, there's no reason you should be paying nearly £3k more for a system than someone south of the border.
You've mentioned 16 panels, is that split over 2 rooves like was suggested earlier in the thread or have you miraculously managed to squeeze them on one.

smitchy73

tunnel wrote: »

£7995, no no no no no.
You're only in Scotland, there's no reason you should be paying nearly £3k more for a system than someone south of the border.
You've mentioned 16 panels, is that split over 2 rooves like was suggested earlier in the thread or have you miraculously managed to squeeze them on one.

Still split over the two roof's. I can't find a price cheaper than just over £6k for the chinese panels and inverter, pay a little bit more for LG panels and still chinese inverter, or go to £8k for the German panels and inverter.

tunnel

Have a look on ebay, type in solar installers, you may get lucky and find someone on there who'll better the prices quoted. ...definitely worth a look as a last roll of the dice.

I'd forget the german option, you're paying over the odds for kit thats equivalent to Chinese stuff, just consider there's literally hundreds of thousands of installs with Chinese panels and inverters generating just as much as the guy next door who paid more for the german gear, just my take on it.

smitchy73

Managed to get a couple more rough quote for less than £6k, the only problem I am facing is that I want to pay part of it by credit card, and the number of companies I've asked who dont accept credit card payments is quite amazing and shocking, I understand there are charges for running these but my goodness I thought in this day and age it was as easy as pie taking card payments.

I've still got a couple of options in the pipeline.