5.18 kWp PV systems (3.68 E/W & 1.5 E).
Solar iBoost+ to two immersion heaters on 350L thermal store.
100% composted food waste
Mini orchard planted and vegetable allotment created.
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PV - What do you wish you had known before?
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I agree with the others who have said it already - max out the number of panels on the roof and max out the efficiency of those panels. I have 16 panels on my garage roof, 8 on the West and 8 on the East faces. I could have fitted 10 panels on each. I didn't really have the option of more than 250w panels, but if I were installing today I'd be fitting 400w panels.
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Learned from my first install in 2015 - best to have multi roof install, batteries, bird proofing.
Accomplished all these in the current house - multi roof install (4 roofs), batteries and bird proofing.
The only thing I would change is - pick a different brand to Givenergy. Their kit is good but the inverter is very slow, battery State of Charge calculation is pants. Likely I would have gone with Victron.“Don't raise your voice, improve your argument." - Desmond Tutu
System 1 - 14 x 250W SunModule SW + Enphase ME215 microinverters (July 2015)
System 2 - 9.2 KWp + Enphase IQ7+ and IQ8AC (Feb 22 & Sep 24) + Givenergy AC Coupled inverter + 2 * 8.2KWh Battery (May 2022) + Mitsubishi 7.1 KW and 2* Daikin 2.5 KW A2A Heat Pump2 -
Get optimisers, whether you need them or not. Preferably Solaredge so you can see each panel in an app.
London. 6.4kwh system, South facing. 16 Hyundai 400kw all black panels w/ optimisers, 6kw Solaredge HD Wave inverter, Solar Iboost with two immersion heaters on one 240l hw tank. Octopus Flux. Ivar 5 Wood Burning Stove. Leaf 62kwh plus Zappi. Two chickens: 1 Light Sussex, 1 Speckled Rock. Omlet walk-in run. Approx 1.5 eggs per day egg generation rate using Marriage's organic layers pellets.0 -
I have a battery and did not realise it would be quite slow to change its output (or the inverter controlling it makes it so). I also did not think about how fast (or at what power level) the battery would charge and discharge. The consequence is that even on a sunny day where the battery does not discharge overnight I still have to import a little bit of electricity from the grid.Reed1
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I wish I had understood G98/G99 and would have asked installer to go for G99 for my 5.25kWp. Also wish I had gone with a bit more battery storage, I'd now suggest to others to go for enough for 24 hours use.
Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Solar PV 5.25kWp SW facing (14 x 375) Lux 3.6kw hybrid inverter installed Mar 22 and 9.6kw Pylontech battery
Daikin 8kW ASHP installed Jan 25
Octopus Cosy/Fixed Outgoing1 -
The biggest learning curve for me was the reduced efficiency from heat. The panels really take a hit when it's hot.
The next thing was understanding how power is used by various appliances. Heating elements tend to be powerful and only used briefly. Ovens oscillate on and off as required, washing machines and dishwashers heat the water for 10 minutes or so then use very little power. This can make it difficult to make the best use of your generation.1 -
Does anyone have in-roof or integrated panels built onto their roof battens ?
Also I have a ground floor extension with a pitched roof - is it worthwhile putting panels on that or is is too efficient given its not high enough?0 -
Height doesn't matter, angle and shading is the important factor4.29kWp Solar system, 45/55 South/West split in cloudy rainy Cumbria.1
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