Solar from Octo pus

Kuly

Hi,
Had a quote from Octo pus for solar. 13 panels (JA Solar 435w) 13 micro inverters (enphase 360w) 2 enphase batteries 5kw and bird kit. Around 12k

Does the above sound reasonable and would 360w inverters be OK with 435w panels?

Also, they are not doing physical surveys, just remote. I wanted panels on front (5hrs sun) and back (7 hrs sun) peak . They said can only install on back due to not enough room on front to fit panels 1.7m tall. I calculate there is at least 2.5 meters above dormer so more than enough room. Could get 7 or 8 panels up there.

Was wondering if anyone could recommend anyone else? Based on berks, hants border

Thanks

Screwdriva

1) Can you share which direction your front/ back roof faces? (E/W or N/S)

2) I would not recommend any company unwilling to perform an in person survey. I'm also not the biggest fan of JA Solar panels. 

3) Should be easy to get panels above your dormer. 

4) What is your annual consumption in kWh? A battery may never pay for itself if your number is below ~4000 kWh per year.

Kuly

Hi Screwdriva,

1. Back roof faces south east so front north west. Do have a single storey roof facing south but could only get probably 4 panels and to many trees around (not mine)

2. Yeah, a but reluctant to go ahead with a remote survey only

4. Annual consumption around 12k kwh. Elderly parents live with me and electric heating in their extension. Dad's got dementia and likes heating on 24/7/365!

Thanks

Screwdriva

Thanks for sharing! 

1) If your NW roof aspect faces >300 degrees on a compass, I would recommend skipping it as performance will diminish the more North the aspect is. I'd definitely panel the South aspect as much as you can and invest in optimizers/ microinverters if shading exists anywhere. 

2) I share this sentiment. 

3) Wow! That's alot of consumption. A 13.5kW battery sounds like a no brainer. I also recommend an air to air heat pump split unit for your parent's living area (vs. electric). Sounds like it will pay for itself pretty quickly. 

4) If you do end up going with an Enphase system over SolarEdge, I recommend the IQ8X micro inverter as it can handle more power and result in less clipping with a 425+W panel. 

Hope this helps! 

Kuly

Thanks Screwdriva.