New solar panels- some advice please

Screwdriva

 I would not chose # 1 because of the inverter but love Solarwatt panels (Sharp are also an excellent choice!)

rew81

Update on quote 2
             Trina Vertex S+ 415W Dual Glass N-Type (White Backsheet) solar 15

panel

            G2 GivEnergy 5kW Hybrid inverter 1

**NET** Emlite Bi-directional Meter ECA2.nv 1

           GivEnergy 100A DC breaker 1

         GivEnergy EM115 Meter with CT Clamp 1

         AC isolator - KN 25A 3-pole 2

           G2 GivEnergy 9.5kWh LiFePO4 Battery               (integrated DC breaker) 1

        IMO DC isolator 16A 2p 1string 2
               
 Installed for  £11800

rew81

Also, the company who is giving the second quotation is saying that the inverter has a seating for g98 compliance and I won't need to apply for g99????  It will limit the export to 3.68kwh. And if I need the DNO approval for g99 I can apply later and change the settings in the inverter. 
Can someone advice on this, please?
Thank you.

rew81

Screwdriva said:

 I would not chose # 1 because of the inverter but love Solarwatt panels (Sharp are also an excellent choice!)

What is wrong with the inverter? Too small?

ABrass

Is this all for one aspect, or split over roofs and directions? Do you have any shading?

2 is a clear winner on value for money at the moment.

3 is silly, why have a battery ready inverter and then ignore it entirely to add in a separate battery system The inverters are good if you have shading or need the low level details they give you on panel production.

1 is very odd, 6kW of power onto a 3.68kW inverter? Unless you're going East/West aspects you're very limited there. Also if it's the SUN2000 then you're over the rated max power and would be outside warranty with a chance of sparks and escaping magic smoke.

There is no evidence supporting premium components at this time. I don't buy into it, but others do.

rew81

ABrass said:

Is this all for one aspect, or split over roofs and directions? Do you have any shading?

2 is a clear winner on value for money at the moment.

3 is silly, why have a battery ready inverter and then ignore it entirely to add in a separate battery system The inverters are good if you have shading or need the low level details they give you on panel production.

1 is very odd, 6kW of power onto a 3.68kW inverter? Unless you're going East/West aspects you're very limited there. Also if it's the SUN2000 then you're over the rated max power and would be outside warranty with a chance of sparks and escaping magic smoke.

There is no evidence supporting premium components at this time. I don't buy into it, but others do.

One direction, no shading. 
Saying that, I have have not considered those antennas as a possible shading objects. Right side is mine and can be removed, let side is neighbour's and might be a problem. 
Any advice on this?

ABrass

rew81 said:

Also, the company who is giving the second quotation is saying that the inverter has a seating for g98 compliance and I won't need to apply for g99????  It will limit the export to 3.68kwh. And if I need the DNO approval for g99 I can apply later and change the settings in the inverter. 
Can someone advice on this, please?
Thank you.

They don't want to do the paperwork. G99 can cost nothing (UK Power Networks in the SE) or £500 for some other regions.

Plus the paperwork is not particularly simple. You could do it as an individual but it's a hassle.

It will work, but it is not ideal. At worst you may miss out on some SEG when you've already charged your batteries and are generating more than 3.68kW.

rew81

ABrass said:

rew81 said:

Also, the company who is giving the second quotation is saying that the inverter has a seating for g98 compliance and I won't need to apply for g99????  It will limit the export to 3.68kwh. And if I need the DNO approval for g99 I can apply later and change the settings in the inverter. 
Can someone advice on this, please?
Thank you.

They don't want to do the paperwork. G99 can cost nothing (UK Power Networks in the SE) or £500 for some other regions.

Plus the paperwork is not particularly simple. You could do it as an individual but it's a hassle.

It will work, but it is not ideal. At worst you may miss out on some SEG when you've already charged your batteries and are generating more than 3.68kW.

Agree with you. 
Can I apply after if I see that the loss is significant?

[Deleted User]

Any installer worth his/her money should run you through all the technical detail. For example, I queried why I was getting a 5kW inverter for a 6.35kWp array?

My installer was able to produce bespoke graphs showing why a lower rated inverter would give me greater output during the Winter which, overall, would increase my annual solar output.

https://blog.spiritenergy.co.uk/homeowner/dno-permission

Waywardmike

I'd forget No.1 for now, and not because of the inverter.  It's considerably more cost for little benefit.

If you have shading or multiple aspects 3 is the clear winner, although I'd question why they would add an AC inverter and battery to the system.  It's an extra piece of equipment that could go wrong, especially if you have a battery ready inverter already included.  Maybe the SolarEdge batteries are really expensive or difficult to come by.  If you're a massive data junkie this would also be option to go for as you get data from each individual panel.

Option 2 is a great system and good value.  Question whether the inverter is Gen 1 or 2.  Gen 1 only outputs at 2.6kW from the battery, Gen 2 does 3.6kW I believe.  Mine does 3.2kW and it's not enough with a couple of appliances going sometimes.  Also be aware you might be waiting 6 months to get this installed from order date as their supply is severely limited currently.