New solar panels- some advice please

rew81

Waywardmike said:

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.

It is G2 GivEnergy 5kW Hybrid inverter
Looks like Gen2

jimjames

rew81 said:

Screwdriva said:

Sorry to say, but these prices seem too high for what you are getting.  I would recommend insisting on quality panel manufacturers from global brands- Sharp, Hyundai, Solarwatt are my top 3 picks for 400W black panel options in this market.

Do you really need batteries? Have you done the on selling your excess energy at vs. storing it? For many, you will likely never recover the cost of battery storage, especially without an EV to justify the cheap charging tariffs. Then there's the relatively shorter life vs. the rest of the system.

I would suggest that not rushing into this will save you money and, potentially, future hassles. Try getting a good installer who will supply you with quality components at a fair price. 

To be honest I don't see the point of a solar panels system without a storage solution.  

Problem is that over the summer the battery will fill up and barely get discharged overnight so next day most of the generation will be wasted unless the battery is a ridiculous size = high cost. And the next day and so on. At least if you're getting paid for what is sent to the grid you're getting a return.

rew81

An update on my solar journey :
decided to go with this offer:

- 15 Trina Vertex S+ 415W Dual N-Type – Solar Panel (25 year Product Workmanship Warranty 

30 year Power Warranty 

1 % rst year degradation 0.4 % Annual Power Attenuation) glass on glass 

- G2 GivEnergy 5kW Hybrid Inverter 

- G2 GivEnergy 9.5kWh Battery Storage

- Fastensol Mounting Equipment 

- Associated Electrical Components 
Warranties:

G2 GivEnergy 5kW Hybrid Inverter 10 Years

G2 GivEnergy 9.5kWh Battery Storage 10 Years

Fastensol Mounting Equipment 10 Years

Workmanship 10 Years

 -installed and commissioned for £11700

I had numerous offers and I can clearly say that it is not an easy decision:
-many brands on the market from premium to more affordable. Different wattage/panel, different warranties, etc. I had a few "experts" coming to quote and do site inspection having the chance to speak with great advisors but also meeting pushy salespeople just interested to take the money. Don't agree to anything no matter what they say("let's close now to secure the stock" or "if you don't sign now tomorrow the price will go up" ). Do your research and ask around, for example on this forum there are many super friendly people who will advise on the technical aspects, youtube is another good place to get information but the best one is your Internet search engine.

Applications like Loop or Hugo will tell you when you consume most of your electricity in order for you analize what battery size to choose. Yes, 99% chance that you will need a storage solution. 
Don't let them add unnecessary equipments like bird protection, optimisers...obviously case specific. 

No mater how good the presentation is or how nicely the expert is addressing you remember that they are there to sell and not to advise you at a personal level.

Also g98 is free and g99 will cost a few hundreds if you really need it. Even if your system is above 3.68kw your inverter can be limited to export just  3.68kw and you will not need to apply for g99. A g100 will be sufficient.


Don't believe any break even projections. One "expert" was trying to convince me that I will break even in year 4 with a 12k system. In reality a 11-13k system has slim chance to break even in less than 10-12 years. By that time the inverter and the battery are reaching their end of warranty and ....you know what that means.

I hope this information will be helpful to someone.

ABrass

A nice summary. If agree with most of that with one major exception and one minor.

Depending on region the G99 can be free, in which case it's absolutely worth it.

Pigeons are flying devils. Get netting (imo)

Exiled_Tyke

jimjames said:

rew81 said:

Screwdriva said:

Sorry to say, but these prices seem too high for what you are getting.  I would recommend insisting on quality panel manufacturers from global brands- Sharp, Hyundai, Solarwatt are my top 3 picks for 400W black panel options in this market.

Do you really need batteries? Have you done the on selling your excess energy at vs. storing it? For many, you will likely never recover the cost of battery storage, especially without an EV to justify the cheap charging tariffs. Then there's the relatively shorter life vs. the rest of the system.

I would suggest that not rushing into this will save you money and, potentially, future hassles. Try getting a good installer who will supply you with quality components at a fair price. 

To be honest I don't see the point of a solar panels system without a storage solution.  

Problem is that over the summer the battery will fill up and barely get discharged overnight so next day most of the generation will be wasted unless the battery is a ridiculous size = high cost. And the next day and so on. At least if you're getting paid for what is sent to the grid you're getting a return.

This isn't my experience at all. Even over the summer with the long evenings (and a west facing array) I use most of the charge in the evening (we tend to eat late) and then some overnight.  One of the great additional benefits is that of not having to chase the sun. Today is a typical situation. There will be enough sun for me to power the dishwasher and the washing machine but I don't know exactly when as the sun is only due to come out in spells and there won't be enough at any one point to give me the 3kW to fully power either appliance.  However I can run both (sequentially) knowing that the battery will smoothen the supply for me and prevent me drawing from the grid.  I'd rather not bet on Agile prices.  Particularly as we head towards winter there will be so little surplus to sell and no-one can forecast what will happen to wholesale prices. Ripple (using the Cornwall institute, I think) are suggesting a gradual fall back in prices. So for me the battery acts as a hedge against prices.  Whatever the price of electricity I've locked into a certain number of battery cycles at a certain price.  I'm not suggesting I am right on this. But don't tell me I'm wrong either.  I have made a choice based on my priorities and my perceptions. It's the right decision for me (and will pay for itself) but others are entitled to have a different opinion and make different choices. 

rew81

Exiled_Tyke said:

jimjames said:

rew81 said:

Screwdriva said:

Sorry to say, but these prices seem too high for what you are getting.  I would recommend insisting on quality panel manufacturers from global brands- Sharp, Hyundai, Solarwatt are my top 3 picks for 400W black panel options in this market.

Do you really need batteries? Have you done the on selling your excess energy at vs. storing it? For many, you will likely never recover the cost of battery storage, especially without an EV to justify the cheap charging tariffs. Then there's the relatively shorter life vs. the rest of the system.

I would suggest that not rushing into this will save you money and, potentially, future hassles. Try getting a good installer who will supply you with quality components at a fair price. 

To be honest I don't see the point of a solar panels system without a storage solution.  

Problem is that over the summer the battery will fill up and barely get discharged overnight so next day most of the generation will be wasted unless the battery is a ridiculous size = high cost. And the next day and so on. At least if you're getting paid for what is sent to the grid you're getting a return.

This isn't my experience at all. Even over the summer with the long evenings (and a west facing array) I use most of the charge in the evening (we tend to eat late) and then some overnight.  One of the great additional benefits is that of not having to chase the sun. Today is a typical situation. There will be enough sun for me to power the dishwasher and the washing machine but I don't know exactly when as the sun is only due to come out in spells and there won't be enough at any one point to give me the 3kW to fully power either appliance.  However I can run both (sequentially) knowing that the battery will smoothen the supply for me and prevent me drawing from the grid.  I'd rather not bet on Agile prices.  Particularly as we head towards winter there will be so little surplus to sell and no-one can forecast what will happen to wholesale prices. Ripple (using the Cornwall institute, I think) are suggesting a gradual fall back in prices. So for me the battery acts as a hedge against prices.  Whatever the price of electricity I've locked into a certain number of battery cycles at a certain price.  I'm not suggesting I am right on this. But don't tell me I'm wrong either.  I have made a choice based on my priorities and my perceptions. It's the right decision for me (and will pay for itself) but others are entitled to have a different opinion and make different choices. 

I will be in the same scenario. 

paul991

what size battery do you use just smoothing  your  usage

rew81

paul991 said:

what size battery do you use just smoothing  your  usage

I will have a 9.5kwh GivEnergy Gen2.

Grf69

Hi, not sure whether you have sorted you installation out by now, but for any other interested forum members ... try GRC Solar 🙂

I have just had 12 415w panels, 3.2kw inverter and 9.6kw battery supplied and fitted for under £11k 😁😁😁

Their prices may have changed since December 😉
You can check their website for their completely GENUINE great reviews.

I have finally managed to get accepted on to the Octopus Outgoing Agile tarriff with only a Flexiorb certificate as apposed to MCS. Email it to their Smart team and dont take no for an answer...although both may be OK again soon!

Hope this helps,
Geoff

markin

Grf69 said:

Hi, not sure whether you have sorted you installation out by now, but for any other interested forum members ... try GRC Solar 🙂

I have just had 12 415w panels, 3.2kw inverter and 9.6kw battery supplied and fitted for under £11k 😁😁😁

Their prices may have changed since December 😉
You can check their website for their completely GENUINE great reviews.

I have finally managed to get accepted on to the Octopus Outgoing Agile tarriff with only a Flexiorb certificate as apposed to MCS. Email it to their Smart team and dont take no for an answer...although both may be OK again soon!

Hope this helps,
Geoff

The inverter is undersized, You want to use all the solar you can even if you have to limit the export.