Adding batteries to existing solar system

Pulpdiction

Coastalwatch said:

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!

It wasn't from Eon was it? Considering getting a battery and Givenergy does look appealing.  So you have 16.4kw storage?

I would be looking at the 5.2/8.2 option.

Why did you go for the 3kw inverter?

EricMears

Exiled_Tyke said:

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. 

Although it's a good idea to keep FIT & non-FIT systems completely separate,  I don't think it's absolutely essential.

The FIT paying organisation should be able to pro-rata your reported generation and only pay FIT on what they think  (my emphasis) qualifies.  Doubt if any error in their calculation would be in customer's favour !

Coastalwatch

Pulpdiction said:

Coastalwatch said:

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!

It wasn't from Eon was it? Considering getting a battery and Givenergy does look appealing.  So you have 16.4kw storage?

I would be looking at the 5.2/8.2 option.

Why did you go for the 3kw inverter?

Not from Eon, I wasn't aware they were offering them. Mine were purchased from a local Engineer who has undergone the necessary training from Givenergy and who had previously installed our ashp's.

From my understanding, then already having a PV array the 3 kW ac inverter is recommended and is sufficient for our needs at this time. Should we eventually decide to add another battery then we might might possibly consider adding a second inverter so doubling up charge and discharge rates.

mickyduck55

Coastalwatch said:

Pulpdiction said:

Coastalwatch said:

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!

It wasn't from Eon was it? Considering getting a battery and Givenergy does look appealing.  So you have 16.4kw storage?

I would be looking at the 5.2/8.2 option.

Why did you go for the 3kw inverter?

Not from Eon, I wasn't aware they were offering them. Mine were purchased from a local Engineer who has undergone the necessary training from Givenergy and who had previously installed our ashp's.

From my understanding, then already having a PV array the 3 kW ac inverter is recommended and is sufficient for our needs at this time. Should we eventually decide to add another battery then we might might possibly consider adding a second inverter so doubling up charge and discharge rates.

Don't know what the cost of a second inverter would be but with minimal management I rarely go above the inverter delivery plus solar.. on a good day that could be 7 kWh actually I have minimal import over the 3.6 the inverter will deliver.
Having a 2 kWh kettle makes a big difference in my circumstances.  I guess like them all my oven heat cycles so kettle on at same time MAY kick it over solar plus battery but its short lived.  The electric shower is the only thing that always draws from the grid.. 10 kWh!
In conclusion I cannot see me ever needing a second inverter

legoman62

Coastalwatch said:

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!

Did you consider the Lux + Pylontechs? 
I'm not sure which way to go now.

Coastalwatch

Afraid not, it was very much a case of being made an offer I simply couldn't refuse. But the warrantees, discharge rates and capacities tied in with our system and were available from a trusted source. No doubt others will have delved far deeper into the pro's and cons than I did and hopefully may even post here to guide you further on your way!

Swan_Valley

We also went for the GivEnergy 3kW inverter & 2 x 8.2kWh batteries. The warranty on the batteries appears a lot more comprehensive than other warranties, as they have 10 years of unlimited cycles & 100% DoD. However, we are not using the full capacity, as hopefully, that will make them last even longer. The integration with Octopus tariffs is also very comprehensive.

As CoastalWatch found, the price/kWh appears to be the most economic available (at the moment) providing you can find an installer that can get hold of them.

BTW @Coastalwatch, you need to update your sig now you have home batteries!

Pulpdiction

Thanks for the information, very useful.  Was considering Eon as they were offering interest free payments on the battery over three years.

Exiled_Tyke

EricMears said:

Exiled_Tyke said:

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. 

Although it's a good idea to keep FIT & non-FIT systems completely separate,  I don't think it's absolutely essential.

The FIT paying organisation should be able to pro-rata your reported generation and only pay FIT on what they think  (my emphasis) qualifies.  Doubt if any error in their calculation would be in customer's favour !

Has anyone every managed to get their FIT provider to agree to a pro-rata arrangement? I know it has been talked about a lot but I haven't actually come across anyone doing it. When I asked my installer about this, they said it wasn't possible and the only course of action was the stand alone option which we went for. 

Pulpdiction

Be interested to hear from some of the Givenergy customers how they are getting on with their batteries, a few reviews on youtube but not very much.