Adding batteries to existing solar system

orbit500

Regarding VAT there are a host of ways to get 5%, easiest of which is just being over 60!
“ To qualify for the reduced rate, you must be over 60 or getting one or more of the following:

• Child Tax Credit (but not the family element)
• Council Tax Benefit
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• Income Support
• War Disablement Pension
• Working Tax Credit

You will also be eligible to get the reduced rate on the products if the total cost of them (not including VAT) is not over 60% of the cost of the installation of the products (not including VAT).

If your products cost more than 60% of the installation, you’ll only be entitled to the reduced rate on the installation.

Your supplier will be responsible for charging you the correct rate of VAT.”

bordercars

I have tried to read and absorb if anyone can provide a little advice id appreciate. 

we have an 8 panel 4kw system installed for 9 years our inverter has just died. ( I'm told on some forums a possible dry solder joint)   

married and semi retired I'm over 60 no benefits and no plans to move. 

as we need to probably replace the inverter ( quoted £700 wish )  now seems to be a good time to add batteries.  

do we just replace inverter,   like for like.      upgrade to one that can charge battery system,      consider adding panels to give a better % charge and the possible 5%vat rate. 

QrizB

bordercars said:

as we need to probably replace the inverter ( quoted £700 wish )  now seems to be a good time to add batteries. 

A hybrid inverter (one that can charge batteries) is likely to add £600-ish to your quote. Batteries start at about £800 on top of that. Payback time is likely to be a decade or more, unless electricity prices remain at this year's high levels for the long term.

I'm not saying yes or no, that's for you to decide.

michaels

bordercars said:

I have tried to read and absorb if anyone can provide a little advice id appreciate. 

we have an 8 panel 4kw system installed for 9 years our inverter has just died. ( I'm told on some forums a possible dry solder joint)   

married and semi retired I'm over 60 no benefits and no plans to move. 

as we need to probably replace the inverter ( quoted £700 wish )  now seems to be a good time to add batteries.  

do we just replace inverter,   like for like.      upgrade to one that can charge battery system,      consider adding panels to give a better % charge and the possible 5%vat rate. 

Assuming you are receiving a FIT you obviously don't want to make any changes that would jeopardise that.

Pulpdiction

Just had a quote from a local company for a Givenergy 8.2kw, 3kw AC inverter, for £4.5k, so probably going to go for it.  Doesn't seem to bad, only lead time is looking like May.

  

[Deleted User]

bordercars said:

I have tried to read and absorb if anyone can provide a little advice id appreciate. 

we have an 8 panel 4kw system installed for 9 years our inverter has just died. ( I'm told on some forums a possible dry solder joint)   

married and semi retired I'm over 60 no benefits and no plans to move. 

as we need to probably replace the inverter ( quoted £700 wish )  now seems to be a good time to add batteries.  

do we just replace inverter,   like for like.      upgrade to one that can charge battery system,      consider adding panels to give a better % charge and the possible 5%vat rate. 

Bear in mind that AC batteries are treated as potential generators. You, or your installer, will need to submit a detailed proposal to your DNO. Your DNO will then look at the total potential export from your PV solar plus battery and it could impose an export limitation to protect the local Grid infrastructure. DNOs are not known for their quick decision making. 

JKenH

Dolor said:

bordercars said:

I have tried to read and absorb if anyone can provide a little advice id appreciate. 

we have an 8 panel 4kw system installed for 9 years our inverter has just died. ( I'm told on some forums a possible dry solder joint)   

married and semi retired I'm over 60 no benefits and no plans to move. 

as we need to probably replace the inverter ( quoted £700 wish )  now seems to be a good time to add batteries.  

do we just replace inverter,   like for like.      upgrade to one that can charge battery system,      consider adding panels to give a better % charge and the possible 5%vat rate. 

Bear in mind that AC batteries are treated as potential generators. You, or your installer, will need to submit a detailed proposal to your DNO. Your DNO will then look at the total potential export from your PV solar plus battery and it could impose an export limitation to protect the local Grid infrastructure. DNOs are not known for their quick decision making. 

This is an obstacle I faced with my DNO. My solar installation is already at the limit of what they will allow and in an enquiry from my potential installer they indicated the potential out put from a battery would be unacceptable to them even though it was not my intention for my battery to discharge to the grid at the same time as solar was producing.

I see the grid’s point of view though. If I was on an export tariff like Agile outgoing, when rates were attractive around 5-6pm in summer I could export over 3kw from my panels plus whatever the battery could put out. 

What is personally frustrating is that, while on paper my solar has the potential to export 7.2kw, because my system is split over East and West roofs, in practice my maximum sustained output is around 4.3kw (although it can peak at around 6kw with cloud edge effect).

Perhaps it is because I live in a rural area served by a transformer on a pole in a field that my output is restricted by the DNO and urban residents may not have the same issue.

Edit: my DNO apparently does not accept export limiting devices.

1961Nick

The attitude of DNOs take towards battery storage surprises me. Exporting to the grid from batteries is something that you absolutely try to avoid. Anyone who has invested several thousand pounds on a storage system is likely to be aware of that.

1961Nick

DNO’s could be proactive and produce a list of approved export limiting devices for customers in Ken’s predicament. 

QrizB

Dolor said:

bordercars said:

as we need to probably replace the inverter ( quoted £700 wish )  now seems to be a good time to add batteries.  
do we just replace inverter,   like for like.      upgrade to one that can charge battery system,      consider adding panels to give a better % charge and the possible 5%vat rate.

Bear in mind that AC batteries are treated as potential generators. You, or your installer, will need to submit a detailed proposal to your DNO. Your DNO will then look at the total potential export from your PV solar plus battery and it could impose an export limitation to protect the local Grid infrastructure. DNOs are not known for their quick decision making. 

OP (well, OP for this discussion) is, I think, talking about a DC-coupled battery which won't be able to generate any more power than the solar inverter it's coupled to.

JKenH said:

This is an obstacle I faced with my DNO. My solar installation is already at the limit of what they will allow and in an enquiry from my potential installer they indicated the potential out put from a battery would be unacceptable to them even though it was not my intention for my battery to discharge to the grid at the same time as solar was producing.

A DC-coupled battery might suit your circumstances better?