Plug in solar

tfhnota

Output decreases in really hot weather so you need to make sure hot air behind the panels can escape. Those element-like water heaters that you just drop into a cup don't switch off so you have to hover over the cup to make sure it does not burn out. You can use a microwave to nuke a cup of coffee, typically 1300W against 2500-3000W for an electric kettle, so more of a saving if you have 700-800W floating in from solar, though it takes a bit longer.

Newbie_John

If you go without battery (and thats what will be legal from 27 August) then you also need to reconsider location as typical South is no longer optinal - whats the point of having peak output at 12 when we're away?

In July W peaks at 17:30, SW at 15:30, S at 1pm, SE 10:30, E 8:30.. - sure the S peak generates more than E & W peaks.

lohr500

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82082219#Comment_82082219

We're fortunate that we do have G99 approved battery storage (although I suspect adding plug in solar opens a can of worms for us and anyone in a similar situation!!). So I guess for us, maximising plug in solar output through the day is key.

Thankfully, excess generation is flowing back to the standard Tesla Gateway/Powerwall 3 installation we have with no changes to configuration. The gateway has a couple of built in CT clamps, so it is seeing the reverse flow and is pushing that back to the battery.

Martyn1981

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82081894#Comment_82081894

Good point. We've been using a 1kW mini-kettle for ~12yrs*, to maximise PV contribution and minimise import. We do have a 'normal' 2.2kW kettle, but that really just gets used as a storage reservoir for refilling the ickle one. Now got batts, so less important, but crucially the minimum level in the normal kettle is about 1.5 mugs worth, so the ickle kettle can boil just a mug's worth each time at perhaps 1.5x as long, but using less energy.

*First one died after about 8yrs, now on second.

Qyburn

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82082233#Comment_82082233

We're fortunate that we do have G99 approved battery storage (although I suspect adding plug in solar opens a can of worms for us and anyone in a similar situation!!)

I think the reality is that people in this situation will just plug it in. We're in the same situation. In our case adding 800W would stay within the DNO's stated maximum total system size, but strictly we should still make an application for the increase as it's a change in the equipment declared and agreed.

Like you describe, our Solaredge would adapt, reducing output if the 800W would otherwise push it over the configured export limit.

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82082408#Comment_82082408

If you already have solar panels and a FIT, if you add a plug in solar, will your FIT provider pay you the extra, not knowing why there has been a slight increase?

TroubledTarts

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82082583#Comment_82082583

What does your contract say about adding solar panels yourself? Or increasing the output without prior permission?

Martyn1981

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82082583#Comment_82082583

If you add plug in solar, it will just be going through that ring main and the consumer unit, it won't pass through the TGM (total generation meter) that lies between the FiT PV system and the CU.

But, as an aside for anyone looking to expand a FiT system, you can also do this, but you need to notify the FiT provider, and they will apportion generation according to the ratio of before to after. Eg if you have a 3kWp FiT system, and expand it to 6kWp, then you will be paid FiT on your TGM reading x 3/6. If (like me) you expand and add DC side batts, then you will need to replace the TGM with a bi-directional meter, so you don't benefit from charging from the grid, then discharging for FiTs.

QrizB

If you already have solar panels and a FIT, if you add a plug in solar, will your FIT provider pay you the extra, not knowing why there has been a slight increase?

As Martyn says above, your FIT supplier won't know anything about your extra generation. Your generation payments will not be affected.

If you're being paid on the basis of metered export, rather than deemed export, your metered export will increase and you'll be paid slightly more. In principle this could result in your export exceeding your generation, which could result in your FIT supplier asking questions. If however you've opted out of FIT export payments and are receiving SEG payments instead, they're less likely to notice.

If your SEG payments are from a different supplier than your FIT, it would be very unlikely that they'd even have access to the data.

Newbie_John

Ok, so I joined the club too.

SW, 45° two EcoFlow 450W panels.

Generation between 16-19 as this is the bit I'm most after because of ToU:

16:00 600W

17:00 500W

18:00 350W

19:00 200W

on the clearest day in early August.