Solar Panel - Any Views on this ? 29 November 2022 at 9:26AM in Green & ethical MoneySaving 10 replies 291 views

aj9648

Hi

I am looking to do a complete re-roof on my property and have had a few quotes.  This seems to be the best one and I am looking for some technical view on the equipment rather than what the cost is as I have managed to reduce costs down a fair bit.  I am still unsure of the in-roof integrated solutions as there are mixed views about them over the web but any views on below is much appreciated:

Marley Solar Tile 335w solar panel                   11
SAJ Hybrid 3.6kw Dual inverter                          1
**NET** Emlite Bi-directional Meter ECA2.nv     1 
AC isolator - KN Newbury 20A 4-pole                 2
SAJ 5.12kw Lithium Battery                                2

I use around 10,000 KW of electricity a year - I have 2 EV's.  The system is estimated to produce 3000Kw per annum according to the calcs

Thanks

moo_juice

You are lucky to get quotes, I've been trying several companies. Only Light Renewables responded and it was nearly £1000 dearer and smaller battery than a quote posted by someone else here a few weeks ago. 
Who did you get your quotes from can I ask? Local or national co's?

Screwdriva

Sorry to share, your components are at the very lower end of the quality spectrum. Hope you won't mind 3 questions: 

1) Have you considered REC's in roof panels (365W) which are far superior while still fitting into the integrated pod?

2) Also, does your annual consumption justify the massive spend on batteries? Asked another way, have you used this calculator to determine this?

3) Definitely ditch SAJ components and go with a more reputed inverter like SolarEdge. Whereabouts are you located?

aj9648

Screwdriva said:

Sorry to share, your components are at the very lower end of the quality spectrum. Hope you won't mind 3 questions: 

1) Have you considered REC's in roof panels (365W) which are far superior while still fitting into the integrated pod?

2) Also, does your annual consumption justify the massive spend on batteries? Asked another way, have you used this calculator to determine this?

3) Definitely ditch SAJ components and go with a more reputed inverter like SolarEdge. Whereabouts are you located?

I am in Manchester.  Based on current prices and calcs its around 12.5 years payback

ABrass

Can you get more panels on your roof? Say 10kW?

RealtimeBlues

aj9648 said:

Screwdriva said:

Sorry to share, your components are at the very lower end of the quality spectrum. Hope you won't mind 3 questions: 

1) Have you considered REC's in roof panels (365W) which are far superior while still fitting into the integrated pod?

2) Also, does your annual consumption justify the massive spend on batteries? Asked another way, have you used this calculator to determine this?

3) Definitely ditch SAJ components and go with a more reputed inverter like SolarEdge. Whereabouts are you located?

I am in Manchester.  Based on current prices and calcs its around 12.5 years payback

When you buy a car you dont think "pay back", see it as an a selling point for your house and doing your bit to reduce grid usage.

2nd_time_buyer

RealtimeBlues said:

aj9648 said:

Screwdriva said:

Sorry to share, your components are at the very lower end of the quality spectrum. Hope you won't mind 3 questions: 

1) Have you considered REC's in roof panels (365W) which are far superior while still fitting into the integrated pod?

2) Also, does your annual consumption justify the massive spend on batteries? Asked another way, have you used this calculator to determine this?

3) Definitely ditch SAJ components and go with a more reputed inverter like SolarEdge. Whereabouts are you located?

I am in Manchester.  Based on current prices and calcs its around 12.5 years payback

When you buy a car you dont think "pay back", see it as an a selling point for your house and doing your bit to reduce grid usage.

Have you checked the payback period without the battery. I expect it will be a lot shorter.

I am not sure I fully get the car analogy. You can't drive to work on a solar panel (well I suppose you could use it to charge a car...). Without considering the payback period - I think solar panels are more akin to redecorating the lounge i.e. it may not be to everyone's taste.

Screwdriva

aj9648 said:

Screwdriva said:

Sorry to share, your components are at the very lower end of the quality spectrum. Hope you won't mind 3 questions: 

1) Have you considered REC's in roof panels (365W) which are far superior while still fitting into the integrated pod?

2) Also, does your annual consumption justify the massive spend on batteries? Asked another way, have you used this calculator to determine this?

3) Definitely ditch SAJ components and go with a more reputed inverter like SolarEdge. Whereabouts are you located?

I am in Manchester.  Based on current prices and calcs its around 12.5 years payback

In roof panels are a bit more costly but current payback for a £5.8K on roof system (Sharp panels/ SolarEdge optimizers + inverter) is approximately < 6 years (assuming you sell excess via Outgoing Agile). As @2nd_time_buyer says, I'd skip the battery for a quicker return.

Alnat1

As you have EVs, you would possibly choose an EV tariff and a lower paid SEG tariff. Cheap overnight charging might work out better for you, over Agile Octopus Then it makes sense to have a battery and fill it at the same time and try to shift other household use to those hours too (washer/dishwasher/dryer)

Payback time needs to be considered but it's not the most important thing. It's only a best guess anyway, nobody knows how prices will be over the next 10-20 years.

aj9648

ABrass said:

Can you get more panels on your roof? Say 10kW?

Nope - maximising the south roof with 11 

ABrass

aj9648 said:

ABrass said:

Can you get more panels on your roof? Say 10kW?

Nope - maximising the south roof with 11 

How about East and West aspects?