Adding batteries to existing solar system

EVandPV

Solarchaser said:

You must have a fancy generation meter then, good for you.

Most folk have a one way generation meter, which is checked every couple of years.

Yup, had a guy come out to check ours last year. 

Visualman

Hi all
i am thinking also about adding batteries to my solar which is approx 8 years old my PV is a 3.9kw east west system
i also have just had an air source heat pump installed with a 200 lt tank
i have been quoted £3900.00 for a 8.2 giv energy system fitted
1 is this a good price
2 is the Giv energy system any good

Verdigris

A 2.1kWh Pylontech battery costs £700, so I'd say the pricing was somewhat ambitious.

abeezar

Visualman said:

Hi all
i am thinking also about adding batteries to my solar which is approx 8 years old my PV is a 3.9kw east west system
i also have just had an air source heat pump installed with a 200 lt tank
i have been quoted £3900.00 for a 8.2 giv energy system fitted
1 is this a good price
2 is the Giv energy system any good

1. Because it's a battery-only install you will be paying 20 % VAT. £3900 price seems alright. You could try to get down to 3800.GE is becoming popular due to Agile Integration. 

EricMears

abeezar said:

1. Because it's a battery-only install you will be paying 20 % VAT. £3900 price seems alright. You could try to get down to 3800.GE is becoming popular due to Agile Integration. 

If you have somewhere easily accessible (i.e. no extra scaffolding required) adding at least one extra solar panel might save you a lot of vat ?

Tarqs_Badman

I am looking to add a Solar Edge Energy bank to my existing Solar array and EV charger. Is there a way to charge a DC coupled battery off the grid for off peak. I do not get FIT, I am on octopus SEG, so there should be no issue with meters

legoman62

Looking at adding batteries. I already have a 4kWp  Solar array.

Thinking about 3 Pylontech 2.4kWh batteries and a Lux AC3600 inverter.

Been recommended the GivEnergy 5.2kWh/8.2kWh AC coupled bundle with 5.2kWk/8.2kWh batteries.

Anyone compared them or has any info...or anything better?

Exiled_Tyke

EricMears said:

abeezar said:

1. Because it's a battery-only install you will be paying 20 % VAT. £3900 price seems alright. You could try to get down to 3800.GE is becoming popular due to Agile Integration. 

If you have somewhere easily accessible (i.e. no extra scaffolding required) adding at least one extra solar panel might save you a lot of vat ?

When I added a battery I put two extra panels up. They ended up costing just about the same as the VAT on the battery.  However as the existing system is on FIT the new panels had to be independent so are connected to a micro inverter and a separate meter. 

Reed_Richards

Tarqs_Badman said:

...Is there a way to charge a DC coupled battery off the grid for off peak. ...

I have a DC-coupled battery but single rate electricity.  However I am told my inverter has the facility to permit off-peak charging.  My export meter measures export and import and displays the balance of export over import by default so I could charge the battery from the grid without cheating the system.  

Coastalwatch

legoman62 said

Looking at adding batteries. I already have a 4kWp  Solar array.

Thinking about 3 Pylontech 2.4kWh batteries and a Lux AC3600 inverter.

Been recommended the GivEnergy 5.2kWh/8.2kWh AC coupled bundle with 5.2kWk/8.2kWh batteries.

Anyone compared them or has any info...or anything better?

By coincidence we had two 8.2 Givenergy batts & 3 kW ac inverter installed today. Too early to make any judgement upon them but at circa £335/kWh they are a reasonable purchase. Currently completing first full charge following a discharge cycle!