East/West Split - Which PV + Battery Solution to choose (Hybrid vs AC coupled)

parmsuk

Hi,
I need advice on choosing on which East/West split PV system and battery to go for. Based on location the expected yields jointly will be approx. 5630Kwh per annum (PHOTOVOLTAIC GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM) . 

Our profile:
11,000 Kwh per annum (excluding EV car which we will have in couple of months, so additional 3000kwh)
Home workers
Baseload: 500w 

I have the following options:

System 1 - £15.3k
20 x 395 panels split across East/West (7.8Kwp)
2 x 3.68 Givenergy Hybrid Invertors) - One for East and other for West
2 x 8.2/9.5 Givenergy Battery - Assuming one connected to each invertor

System 2 - £15.5k
20 x 395 panels split across East/West (7.8Kwp)
2 x 3.68 Solis Invertors - One for East and other for West
2 x   8.2/9.5 Givenergy Batteries. coupled with 1 or 2 AC Invertors.

Not sure which option to go with, basically its either AC or DC coupled difference. 

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

AJ

QrizB

I'd be inclined towards the hybrid option; it gives you two fewer things to go wrong. It might however restrict your ability to charge the batteries from the grid (do check this with the installer). I'd also want to know that the two inverters can somehow be stopped from conflicting with each other.

As an aside, a 500W baseload seems rather high; most people on this forum claim 100W or less. Do you have a lot of 24/7 equipment? Can any of it be switched off when not in use?

arty688

The first ones seem neater to me an it being 1 manufacturer is a plus I think.

I would also ask about lead times and the fact GE don’t do the 8.2Kwh battery anymore . They seem to have a gen2 range now no idea if the specs or prices vary from the gen1 stuff.

94JDH

parmsuk said:

Hi,
I need advice on choosing on which East/West split PV system and battery to go for. Based on location the expected yields jointly will be approx. 5630Kwh per annum (PHOTOVOLTAIC GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM) . 

Our profile:
11,000 Kwh per annum (excluding EV car which we will have in couple of months, so additional 3000kwh)
Home workers
Baseload: 500w 

I have the following options:

System 1 - £15.3k
20 x 395 panels split across East/West (7.8Kwp)
2 x 3.68 Givenergy Hybrid Invertors) - One for East and other for West
2 x 8.2 Givenergy Battery - Assuming one connected to each invertor

System 2 - £15.5k
20 x 395 panels split across East/West (7.8Kwp)
2 x 3.68 Solis Invertors - One for East and other for West
2 x   8.2 Givenergy Batteries. coupled with 1 or 2 AC Invertors.

Not sure which option to go with, basically its either AC or DC coupled difference. 

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

AJ

I've signed for a similar system of East West ,
18 panels (7.2kW) and two gen2 3.6 givenergy inverters, each with a gen2 9.5kW battery.
So I'd be biased and go for the option 1, price wise pretty good considering the demand ( my option was 14k).

parmsuk

94JDH said:

parmsuk said:

Hi,
I need advice on choosing on which East/West split PV system and battery to go for. Based on location the expected yields jointly will be approx. 5630Kwh per annum (PHOTOVOLTAIC GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM) . 

Our profile:
11,000 Kwh per annum (excluding EV car which we will have in couple of months, so additional 3000kwh)
Home workers
Baseload: 500w 

I have the following options:

System 1 - £15.3k
20 x 395 panels split across East/West (7.8Kwp)
2 x 3.68 Givenergy Hybrid Invertors) - One for East and other for West
2 x 8.2 Givenergy Battery - Assuming one connected to each invertor

System 2 - £15.5k
20 x 395 panels split across East/West (7.8Kwp)
2 x 3.68 Solis Invertors - One for East and other for West
2 x   8.2 Givenergy Batteries. coupled with 1 or 2 AC Invertors.

Not sure which option to go with, basically its either AC or DC coupled difference. 

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

AJ

I've signed for a similar system of East West ,
18 panels (7.2kW) and two gen2 3.6 givenergy inverters, each with a gen2 9.5kW battery.
So I'd be biased and go for the option 1, price wise pretty good considering the demand ( my option was 14k).

When is your planned install?. Any issues you are aware of having two invertors?

94JDH

parmsuk said:

94JDH said:

parmsuk said:

Hi,
I need advice on choosing on which East/West split PV system and battery to go for. Based on location the expected yields jointly will be approx. 5630Kwh per annum (PHOTOVOLTAIC GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM) . 

Our profile:
11,000 Kwh per annum (excluding EV car which we will have in couple of months, so additional 3000kwh)
Home workers
Baseload: 500w 

I have the following options:

System 1 - £15.3k
20 x 395 panels split across East/West (7.8Kwp)
2 x 3.68 Givenergy Hybrid Invertors) - One for East and other for West
2 x 8.2 Givenergy Battery - Assuming one connected to each invertor

System 2 - £15.5k
20 x 395 panels split across East/West (7.8Kwp)
2 x 3.68 Solis Invertors - One for East and other for West
2 x   8.2 Givenergy Batteries. coupled with 1 or 2 AC Invertors.

Not sure which option to go with, basically its either AC or DC coupled difference. 

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

AJ

I've signed for a similar system of East West ,
18 panels (7.2kW) and two gen2 3.6 givenergy inverters, each with a gen2 9.5kW battery.
So I'd be biased and go for the option 1, price wise pretty good considering the demand ( my option was 14k).

When is your planned install?. Any issues you are aware of having two invertors?

Still awaiting install, should be around August time -:twin inverters seem to be not advised 100% by Givenergy as there app doesn't yet support it, however there is a user on their forum who is running this set up without a problem. 
Apparently the app will be updated to support it properly later this year.

ispookie666

Can hybrid inverter charge from mains if needed?  

East-West Split is amazing - you would get generation throughout the day light hours and will be a flatter curve rather than the bell shaped.  Your batteries will likely get charged by 9 am.  When the sun is really down to the horizon, the generation will be less than 10% of summer peak.  Its good fun to model your each string on PVGIS

@QrizB my base load is Just under 400W in summer and goes up to nearly 500 in winter when the dehumidifier comes on.  

94JDH

ispookie666 said:

Can hybrid inverter charge from mains if needed?  

East-West Split is amazing - you would get generation throughout the day light hours and will be a flatter curve rather than the bell shaped.  Your batteries will likely get charged by 9 am.  When the sun is really down to the horizon, the generation will be less than 10% of summer peak.  Its good fun to model your each string on PVGIS

@QrizB my base load is Just under 400W in summer and goes up to nearly 500 in winter when the dehumidifier comes on.  

East West for me is ideal to maximize my available space - yes hybrid can charge the batteries, which is my general intention when solar is poor and take advantage of cheap night rates.

parmsuk

94JDH said:

parmsuk said:

94JDH said:

parmsuk said:

Hi,
I need advice on choosing on which East/West split PV system and battery to go for. Based on location the expected yields jointly will be approx. 5630Kwh per annum (PHOTOVOLTAIC GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM) . 

Our profile:
11,000 Kwh per annum (excluding EV car which we will have in couple of months, so additional 3000kwh)
Home workers
Baseload: 500w 

I have the following options:

System 1 - £15.3k
20 x 395 panels split across East/West (7.8Kwp)
2 x 3.68 Givenergy Hybrid Invertors) - One for East and other for West
2 x 8.2 Givenergy Battery - Assuming one connected to each invertor

System 2 - £15.5k
20 x 395 panels split across East/West (7.8Kwp)
2 x 3.68 Solis Invertors - One for East and other for West
2 x   8.2 Givenergy Batteries. coupled with 1 or 2 AC Invertors.

Not sure which option to go with, basically its either AC or DC coupled difference. 

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

AJ

I've signed for a similar system of East West ,
18 panels (7.2kW) and two gen2 3.6 givenergy inverters, each with a gen2 9.5kW battery.
So I'd be biased and go for the option 1, price wise pretty good considering the demand ( my option was 14k).

When is your planned install?. Any issues you are aware of having two invertors?

Still awaiting install, should be around August time -:twin inverters seem to be not advised 100% by Givenergy as there app doesn't yet support it, however there is a user on their forum who is running this set up without a problem. 
Apparently the app will be updated to support it properly later this year.

Interesting. The installer said that the portal reports two systems but the app will be consolidated. I also spoke to tech and they also said it is possible to have twin hybrid but its the portal that might not reflect properly.