What do I need for a full system.

mgbond

The problem is that I’m learning as I go. I have now established that some inverters (3.68kw) can clip system from 4 to over 5k of panels. So that why I pushed to 17 as the inverter can still handle the output and cap it to 3.68. The 20 panels is only because apparently with storage your system can be 7kw. That’s 23 panels but I only have room for 20 before I start to use the extension roof. As you say the 20 with storage at 9k isn’t bad but 17 without is really not expensive. I’m trying other people as there might be inverters available that will let me ha e 18 panels. I e been advised to not worry about storage at this time. After the FIT finishes there are talks that a new Solar tariff maybe introduced encouraging people to use storage and charge them off the grid (winter times) late at night when grid usage is low and init prices will be cheaper. So I’m drawn to the 17 but just trying to see if someone can get me 18 so I can produce a bit more in winter time.

Hope that makes sense.

mre15

I am having 16 panels fitted next week with a hybrid inverter so that I can add batteries as and when the price gets acceptable. I do get some shading in winter from a chimney so have chosen panels with built in optimisers to hopefully help. The panels came in at £5 each more expensive than standard panels. This was a lot less than the solar edge options would have cost.
Your maximum amount of panels will depend on inverter choice as it will have a maximum dc input in its specs. Some allow quite a bit and some not.

EricMears

mgbond wrote: »

Told a fib, Trees to the south of the property are a bit higher than the house.

Whether not they'd actually shade your roof depends on how much taller than the house they are and how far away. There's another couple of weeks yet before the absolute lowest declination of the sun but we're probably close enough to get a good idea of what shading will occur (and in any case generation during the next 4 weeks won't be huge)

Don't rely on looking out of an upstairs window assuming that if you can't see the sun above the trees, the roof must be in shade - the extra few feet might make all the difference. However, you might need to factor in the possibility of the trees getting even taller in a few years time.

mgbond

I took some pictures today but unfortunately the sun went behind clouds after 11am. One thing to consider is that the tree in question is not green in winter so not completely blocking.

1st pic is 10am . 2nd at 15:45 very low the 3rd is 11am. Sun would be on roof albeit and an angle. Last pic shows the house from the front with the tree in the distance. (Sorry they are not in order)

https://postimg.cc/gallery/1wg36ebja/

mre15

You really need to get outside and look back at your roof to see if there are shadows. Even a small amount of shading can considerably drag down a string of panels that don’t have optimisation. This time of year is the best time to check this. It’s much easier to accommodate on install than at a later date if you find you have shading.

mgbond

12pm hitting front roof. 1 pm it was hitting the hose side in but still on roof.

I think I’ll get optimisers anyway mainly for winter though.

https://postimg.cc/1864q0Rb

mgbond

Well it looks like it’s all over at 3pm anyway at this time of year. Do you south facing people still get it at 3.

https://postimg.cc/jCBb7Lg7

Coastalwatch

mgbond wrote: »

Well it looks like it’s all over at 3pm anyway at this time of year. Do you south facing people still get it at 3.

https://postimg.cc/jCBb7Lg7

I guess, not a lot is the answer although we are SSE facing. At 2.30 the system was producing 1.4kW then at 3pm 95W, down to 7W by 3.30.

mgbond

Unless a bettter or similar price comes along (or maybe only a bit more if it’s a local firm) then I think the 17 panels (295w) with Iboost for 5.6k is going to be the one. At 2:30 this time of year the top five of my panels may look like they might get a bit of shade so going to get optimisers on them. So probably another £250.

https://postimg.cc/w7ByD5KB