Solar panel quotations - how do they compare?

jimjames

d1217 said:

arty688 said:

Hello,

The quote seems good to me, the only thing you may want to consider is how long the payback as you consumption isn't high if that's why you are going for PV of course. Most companies payback example are quite generous and not based in reality. Maybe doing your own based on estimated pv generation per month and usage per month.

To be honest one of the main reasons is to be less reliant on the grid and be a bit more friendly to the planet (suppose we all have to do our own bit 

Just to pick up on this bit, I'm not sure if there is any difference with battery connected systems but I suspect not. If you have a grid connected inverter for your panels (as you need when exporting) then if the grid power goes off for any reason then your panels will also shut down. As I understand it's to protect any work taking place on the grid side to prevent any electricity being put back in to the grid when the network expect it to be off. So essentially with grid connected solar panels you are still reliant on the grid.

Spies

jimjames said:

d1217 said:

arty688 said:

Hello,

The quote seems good to me, the only thing you may want to consider is how long the payback as you consumption isn't high if that's why you are going for PV of course. Most companies payback example are quite generous and not based in reality. Maybe doing your own based on estimated pv generation per month and usage per month.

To be honest one of the main reasons is to be less reliant on the grid and be a bit more friendly to the planet (suppose we all have to do our own bit 

Just to pick up on this bit, I'm not sure if there is any difference with battery connected systems but I suspect not. If you have a grid connected inverter for your panels (as you need when exporting) then if the grid power goes off for any reason then your panels will also shut down. As I understand it's to protect any work taking place on the grid side to prevent any electricity being put back in to the grid when the network expect it to be off. So essentially with grid connected solar panels you are still reliant on the grid.

Some inverters do have an EPS socket in the event of grid failure which you can plug regular 3 pin appliances in to.

mickyduck55

jimjames said:

d1217 said:

arty688 said:

Hello,

The quote seems good to me, the only thing you may want to consider is how long the payback as you consumption isn't high if that's why you are going for PV of course. Most companies payback example are quite generous and not based in reality. Maybe doing your own based on estimated pv generation per month and usage per month.

To be honest one of the main reasons is to be less reliant on the grid and be a bit more friendly to the planet (suppose we all have to do our own bit 

Just to pick up on this bit, I'm not sure if there is any difference with battery connected systems but I suspect not. If you have a grid connected inverter for your panels (as you need when exporting) then if the grid power goes off for any reason then your panels will also shut down. As I understand it's to protect any work taking place on the grid side to prevent any electricity being put back in to the grid when the network expect it to be off. So essentially with grid connected solar panels you are still reliant on the grid.

My LUX inverter has the ability to power a couple of sockets in the event of the grid going down... my installers would not wire this part up for me but did leave me the required plug to fit the inverter.  Conveniently my freezer is close so that is plugged in.  I have tested it and it does work... I guess like many I initially thought having a battery would make me able to run my house from them in the event of grid outage.

arty688

The Tesla PW2 does have the ability to run you house in the event of a power cut via its gateway 2 . You cab also do this with others as well I think but it takes some extra kit depends if thats important to you i suppose.

Exiled_Tyke

jimjames said:

d1217 said:

arty688 said:

Hello,

The quote seems good to me, the only thing you may want to consider is how long the payback as you consumption isn't high if that's why you are going for PV of course. Most companies payback example are quite generous and not based in reality. Maybe doing your own based on estimated pv generation per month and usage per month.

To be honest one of the main reasons is to be less reliant on the grid and be a bit more friendly to the planet (suppose we all have to do our own bit 

Just to pick up on this bit, I'm not sure if there is any difference with battery connected systems but I suspect not. If you have a grid connected inverter for your panels (as you need when exporting) then if the grid power goes off for any reason then your panels will also shut down. As I understand it's to protect any work taking place on the grid side to prevent any electricity being put back in to the grid when the network expect it to be off. So essentially with grid connected solar panels you are still reliant on the grid.

I don't think the OP was suggesting being able to go off-grid just less dependent on 'grid leccy' ? 

Magnitio

d1217 said:

Hi,

Just wanted an opinion on a couple of things,

I have been quoted £8.9k for a Solar system that includes 14 x 390w panels (Trina Vertex S panels) for a 5.5KWp system including the givenergy 5kw hybrid inverter and the givenergy 8.2 KWh battery and have a couple of questions:

1. Does that seem a fair quote?
2. Is the givenergy system decent? I have heard good things about it but various companies seem to use different brands.
3. Has anyone hear used or heard of glow green? I can find a lot of reviews about them as a boiler fitting company but not much around the solar space.

Our house is a 4 bed detached and we use approx 4800 KWh per year, it is south facing (slightly south east if being picky) and doesn't have any shading issues

Thanks

I've had a quote for a similar system: 5.9kwp with the same Givenergy inverter and battery. Cost £9100 inc VAT. I've actually chosen to go for a slightly more expensive option which is 6.4kwp (16 * 400w REC panels). So your quote looks quite reasonable. One of my quotes was £11k inc VAT.

d1217

thanks all, apologies for not replying but have been away. Yes @Exiled_Tyke was correct I was meaning to be a little less reliant on grid electricity. I have had another quote from elsewhere that although is slightly more expensive, I'm a bit more comfortable with the company doing the installation, I had a few niggles with Glowgreen and if I'm spending this amount of money want to be happy.

Gone for the same spec as previously quoted but includes a solar iboost as well to heat the water with any excess energy to maximise the savings.

As far as I am aware the givenergy 5KW hybrid inverter has the capability to deliver power "off-grid" as well.

arty688

The Givenergy Off grid is a backup socket I think rather than powering the existing wiring. Which is ok for most people who will only suffer from the odd short outage. Just make sure you have an extension lead ready.

EricMears

arty688 said:

The Givenergy Off grid is a backup socket I think rather than powering the existing wiring. Which is ok for most people who will only suffer from the odd short outage. Just make sure you have an extension lead ready.

And of course don't be tempted to feed your consumer unit (& hence the grid !) from it unless you have a full 'islanding' facility.