Garage Roof Solar

Robin9

I have a double garage, South facing tiled roof. I am looking at the possibility of a solar installation of 10 panels.

The garage is remote from the main property and supplied by a 6mm cable on a catenary. The cable is protected on a sub board and terminates in a second sub board with  a spare way and there is physically plenty of room for the inverter.

Do I need to run any cabling back to the main dis board at the meter position.?

Is there anything else I need to consider ? (I know I need planning as its a listed building in a conservation area.)

[Deleted User]

Robin9 said:

I have a double garage, South facing tiled roof. I am looking at the possibility of a solar installation of 10 panels.

The garage is remote from the main property and supplied by a 6mm cable on a catenary. The cable is protected on a sub board and terminates in a second sub board with  a spare way and there is physically plenty of room for the inverter.

Do I need to run any cabling back to the main dis board at the meter position.?

Is there anything else I need to consider ? (I know I need planning as its a listed building in a conservation area.)

Off the top of my head, the biggest question I can think of is likely to be around the size of the earthing conductor which can be the limiting factor for compliant installation of supply to remote buildings. Off the top of my head, that's going to depend on the type of supply you have to the main property, length of the cable to the garage and possibly other factors. I can't see any problem in principle and/or it shouldn't be unduly expensive, but the regulations regarding earthing aren't straightforward so I'd suggest getting the existing installation checked out be an electrician (who will be able to identify the supply type to your property, have the equipment needed to test the exisitng earthing arranagments and be able to advise you what if anything needs to be done to ensure all is compliant with current standards).

Bimbly

Spoke to a solar guy about this recently. He said, I would need a second inverter in the garage if I were to do that.

Robin9

Many thanks both - we are due  our regular test and inspect this Autumn; will talk it through with the surveyor in due course.

Qyburn

Our solar is on an outbuilding. In our case we needed to run a signal cable back to the house so that import/export could be measured at the grid connection.

This will depend on the details of what you are planning, but anything with a battery, or where the DNO imposes an export limit, will need something.

Robin9

One for the electricians.

I had a detailed survey last week and the supplier commented that the existing supply to my garage -  a SWA attached to a catenary - Is not permissible in the regs.  True or False ?

Qyburn

Robin9 said:

One for the electricians.

I had a detailed survey last week and the supplier commented that the existing supply to my garage -  a SWA attached to a catenary - Is not permissible in the regs.  True or False ?

Ask them to quote the exact regulation. I guess possibly it could be insufficient clearance. Or ask on the Electricians Forum in the DIY board (even though it's a homeowner rather than actual DIY question) ..

https://www.electriciansforums.net

matelodave

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=mains+cable+on+a+catenery+between+buildings&mid=BCF6417FB55A98D59118BCF6417FB55A98D59118&FORM=VIRE

Robin9

Thankyou @matelodave - that's a very good link. I need to get my tape measure out.