Solar panel and battery quandry

QrizB

When I had my install four years ago, the installers did something similar.

I had my doubts about compliance with the 2005 Regs but I was pretty sure I wasn't liable so let them get on with it.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/the-law.htm

Martyn1981

QrizB said:

When I had my install four years ago, the installers did something similar.

I had my doubts about compliance with the 2005 Regs but I was pretty sure I wasn't liable so let them get on with it.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/the-law.htm

I've seen worse 

Magnitio

What do you think of this…

didsbury

Martyn1981 said:

didsbury said:

It was as simple as that; no scaffolding, no nonsense about roof refurbishment, one day instead of two, and more panels and bigger battery for slightly less than Octopus quoted. Also, much shorter time from start to finish.

Out of interest, can I ask how they worked without scaffolding? Did they have a tower, use a row of ladders etc?

I'm interested as I've always wondered what other solutions there may now be, especially as the scaffolding cost is more than the panels for many installs.

Looks great, hopefully when the weather is nice, you can sit outside and enjoy a nice glass of your wine, whilst admiring the panels.  

To tell the truth I didn't actually see any panels being lifted, I was trying not to interfere too much.

I saw the first roofer assemble the frames and lift them up all the way using his latter. The other, I think was up and down to the garage roof on his ladder.

So, no equipment apart from two ladders. The were all mounted by about noon.

Solarchaser

Magnitio said:

What do you think of this…

This is how my original FIT panels were fitted over 10 years ago.

didsbury

Screwdriva said:

Congrats on the new setup - love the image with the Octopus Cosy Heat Pump in full view. 

I was particularly pleased to see the slightly larger Eurener 500W bifacial panels fill your roof area in a way that is aesthetically pleasing, and was pleasantly surprised to see it performing as well as it did  (won’t spoil your future updates on performance

It may make more sense to choose the right tariff to recharge your battery  at different times for less (vs. spending another £5K on an expansion pack) during the colder months. Octopus Cosy/ Agile are greatexamples! For now, Intelligent Flux is the right tariff for you! 

If you really want to spend more £, I'd ask the installer to come back to fit another 2 panels on the top left of your roof (the chimney shading is the only thing stopping me from saying another 4 panels), whenever they are in your area. Given the aforementioned outperformance, it will likely hasten your return on investment over the long term. 

The Screenshot is for my first week.

I am currently on Agile for the last 3/4 months, but I am considering changing when I see how the summer progresses. 

For future enhancements, I will try to work out costs and benefits, but again, later.

Screwdriva

didsbury said:

I am currently on Agile for the last 3/4 months, but I am considering changing when I see how the summer progresses. 

For future enhancements, I will try to work out costs and benefits, but again, later.

Been through this with several PW3 owners. As long you run the heavier appliances (heat pump hot water cycle, washer, dishwasher) outside of the peak window, Intelligent Flux blows all other tariffs out of the water. 

Qyburn

Magnitio said:

What do you think of this…

Exactly how ours were done. One guy carried the panels up the ladder and handed each to the guy standing on the roof.

paul991

I sent my fitters away when they wanted to do that and told them to come back with scaffolding. A risk of a broken back is not worth it.  Lucky for me it was a fixed price job.

Martyn1981

paul991 said:

I sent my fitters away when they wanted to do that and told them to come back with scaffolding. A risk of a broken back is not worth it.  Lucky for me it was a fixed price job.

Opposite situation for me. The new installers changing my lower system, and installing ground mount and batts, are no longer allowed to work from ladders or safety harness. They were very apologetic, but said scaffolding would be needed to swap out the 3 faulty power optimisers on my main upper roof.

So off I popped to the local 'working at height' shop, and bought a safety harness and lanyard, plus a long heavy duty strap to wrap around my purlin as an anchoring point. Took me about 90mins, but that included a lot of wasted time trapping first one, and then a second cat that were determined to climb out the velux window and help/investigate.