Yet another Solar installation quote post!

Domonet

Sorry, there seems to be a lot of these, and I have read through a bunch of them to get a consensus of every quote is unique!

So far I have two quotes for a PV installation, where I am looking at panels + battery. My daily usage is around 10-12kWh, and I home work so can use the energy at the point of generation for the most part but want a battery system that I can charge at cheap rates over night to supplement the solar as I know my usage will be more than the generation, especially in the evenings. I am also expecting delivery of an EV in January that I anticipate having to charge maybe 30kW / week on average.

The first quote I got was for 6x Q-cell 375 panels and a 4.8kWh Victron battery for just under £10k, with scaffolding yet to be determined. Using that as my only point of reference so far, my next quote has come in looking very attractive in all aspects - 10x Ja Solar 410 panels and a modular Alpha-Ess battery with 10kWh, as well as a Zappi EV charger for just shy of £12k with installation and scaffolding etc. Both of these are done by remote survey / Q&A and would of course be backed up with a physical survey before any money changes hands.

Getting more panels, and a bigger battery and an EV charger with full installation for only a marginal amount extra seems almost too good to be true? I suppose I might also be a bit wary that the supplier/installer seems to be a new establishment (Sunflower Electrical in Exeter), but they are local to me - 20 mins down the road, and speaking on the phone the man sounded very knowledgeable.

Then on a separate note - the money is not a problem, but are there any worthwhile grants or the like for solar at the moment? A search this morning has shown up the Green Deal loan on the Gov website, as well as ECO4. The former wouldn't suit me as I can get a better loan elsewhere, and I am not sure that I am eligible for the latter (the only benefit that I am in receipt of is the Child Benefit for my daughter).

I know this is a bit all over the place, but I am only just dipping my toe in to this area, and I like my research and being able to talk around a subject a bit before I commit to anything!

rew81

Just started this journey myself. I have received more that 10 quotes some with the same components. Your first quote is almost a scam, second is good. Why such a difference in the systems quoted? Before you start you need to decide what system you need and can afford. A lot of reading, asking and viewing (youtube) is needed. Then you ask for quotes  as many as you want. Speaking with the "experts" aka sales people you will understand more and tailor your system even more according to your budget and needs. 
Then you compare prices and systems as you will receive quotes for different combinations of solar panels, batteries and inverters. 
I would not go for panels under 400w or for solar panels producers not in Tier1.  If you decide on a brand make sure you will go for their latest products( Trina vertex s+, Maxeon 6, Jinko Tiger Neo, etc). For sure you don't want to start with "Windows 10" when "11" is out. The same with batteries and inverters. For example I have received quotes with GivEnergy gen1 battery and inverter when gen2 is on the market. 

Hexane

Interested in the reason for only looking at a relatively small number of panels when you have relatively high expected consumption. Are you limited by roof space, or limited by unwillingness of installers to carry out a DNO application?

Domonet

Hexane said:

Interested in the reason for only looking at a relatively small number of panels when you have relatively high expected consumption. Are you limited by roof space, or limited by unwillingness of installers to carry out a DNO application?

Limited by roof space My house is a 2 bed end terrace. The second quote was originally saying 12 panels, but then we realised that the location of my soil stack vent was in the way - to be confirmed with a proper site survey though instead of over the phone and google maps/street view.

Spies

Do you have anything that's likely to cast a shadow? as it might be worth considering optimisers if so.

Domonet

Spies said:

Do you have anything that's likely to cast a shadow? as it might be worth considering optimisers if so.

Nope - no shade. We are essentially on the crest of a hill, only just enough in the shadow of the hill to prevent high winds, but nothing higher than us in the sun's path to cause actual shadow until near sunset.

Screwdriva

Frankly, at current prices/ rates, government support would make little sense for anyone not on any form of existing benefit. Payback on your investment can occur within <5 years without a battery! 

I would not recommend any of the brands you have been quoted for (other than the Zappi, which is excellent). Most are budget (read: cheap) Chinese companies with no semblance of a reputation or aftersales support. 

This recent quote may provide a steer:

 10 x 400w Sharp solar panels, 25 year warranty to 86.2% efficiency and a 15 year product warranty

  10 x Solar Edge optimizers fitted to each panel. 25 Year warranty

  1 x Solar Edge SE3680H Hybrid HD Wave single phase inverter 25 year product warranty

  1 x Solar Edge Energy store 10kh battery 10 year warranty

  1 x Emergency power backup supply

 £12,750.00. For every individual panel + optimizer you cannot fit, deduct £300/

rew81

Screwdriva said:

Frankly, at current prices/ rates, government support would make little sense for anyone not on any form of existing benefit. Payback on your investment can occur within <5 years without a battery! 

I would not recommend any of the brands you have been quoted for (other than the Zappi, which is excellent). Most are budget (read: cheap) Chinese companies with no semblance of a reputation or aftersales support. 

This recent quote may provide a steer:

 10 x 400w Sharp solar panels, 25 year warranty to 86.2% efficiency and a 15 year product warranty

  10 x Solar Edge optimizers fitted to each panel. 25 Year warranty

  1 x Solar Edge SE3680H Hybrid HD Wave single phase inverter 25 year product warranty

  1 x Solar Edge Energy store 10kh battery 10 year warranty

  1 x Emergency power backup supply

 £12,750.00. For every individual panel + optimizer you cannot fit, deduct £300/

5 years is a bit too generous. Is possible if you generate max capacity and use all of it without taking any from the grid. Not sure what you will do  evening- night- early mornings. 

Screwdriva

rew81 said:

5 years is a bit too generous. 

Assuming 4000 kWh generated from your system:

1) Use 30% of this. 1200kWh X £0.34p per kWh (artificial price cap) = ~£400
2) Sell 70% of this. 2800kWh X £0.29p per kWh (Outgoing Agile avg. price T3M) = ~£800

1) + 2) = £1200 per annum. 5 years X 1200 = £6K

Price of 4kWh system (non-Chinese, without battery) = £5750 installed or < 5 years payback. 

Disclaimer: Your usage conditions may vary.

rew81

Screwdriva said:

rew81 said:

5 years is a bit too generous. 

Assuming 4000 kWh generated from your system:

1) Use 30% of this. 1200kWh X £0.34p per kWh (artificial price cap) = ~£400
2) Sell 70% of this. 2800kWh X £0.29p per kWh (Outgoing Agile avg. price T3M) = ~£800

1) + 2) = £1200 per annum. 5 years X 1200 = £6K

Price of 4kWh system (non-Chinese, without battery) = £5750 installed or < 5 years payback. 

Disclaimer: Your usage conditions may vary.

I hope I will be able to become an Octopus customer and be able to sell at that price. Your math is correct and if reality will match it we will all celebrate. A bit hard to become an Octupus customet at the moment but not impossible. For non existing customers the tariff is 0.07 if I remember correctly. Shell, my supplier, is paying 0.03p.
Chinese or not all companies (Tier1) will be able to honour the warranty. The bad part is that almost all of them will not cover the installation cost(scaffolding, labour etc). They will refund or replace the faulty product, not covering the installation process. 

Spies

Domonet said:

Spies said:

Do you have anything that's likely to cast a shadow? as it might be worth considering optimisers if so.

Nope - no shade. We are essentially on the crest of a hill, only just enough in the shadow of the hill to prevent high winds, but nothing higher than us in the sun's path to cause actual shadow until near sunset.

Not even that soil pipe likely to cast a shadow?