Should I go for another quote though I like what I have so far?

Cherryfudge

Thanks @Screwdriva, it's looking like a whole bunch of further quotations rather than just one 'to make sure'! However, I'm learning fast and it's to be hoped the end result will be a quality product.

To answer your questions:

We have had power blackouts, though not all that often. It's been very local: literally there's something under our road that's feeling its age and has given way a couple of times, causing half the road to lose power. We got a nice £100 back from it a couple of years ago. We're hoping they've fixed it because other than that, no power blackouts.

Heat pump? Possibly. Our gas combi boiler is only a couple of years old though, so I'd have to be very convinced of the benefits at this stage. I do know there is financial assistance still available for them and I've stayed in a property that had one which was very warm and cosy - perhaps more than I would be comfortable with! Good heating is important as we approach retirement age so I'm not ruling it out.

I think the L1me system relies heavily on using an intelligent tariff, which, together with maxing the roof space and a double battery, means more is sold back to the grid.

QrizB

Even with two batteries, that Fox ESS inverter-and-battery combo is less capable than the Powerwall 3 that's been mentioned earlier in this thread. So Lime want you to pay more for less.

If they've definitely quoted for a 3.68kW inverter coupled to 8kWp of panels, that's another sign that they're not taking this seriously.

Cherryfudge

The more I learn, the more I'm convinced that 'pay more for less' sums it up nicely, @QrizB.

Thanks 😊

Screwdriva

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82056895#Comment_82056895

Given that you do experience infrequent blackouts and may change your heat emitter to a heat pump in the near future, I am no longer hesitant in recommending you invest in a Tesla PW3 based system. @NedS recently shared his experience here, which is consistent with the ownership experience of dozens of homeowners I have helped.

Sounds like the consensus is that you can do much better for less!

Cherryfudge

I've been reading that thread - encouraging results!

Thanks for the battery recommendation: I'm sure it will pay back if I invest in a good one. I've also been looking at 0ctopus's solar section and intelligent tariffs (if that's the right term) which I'm thinking would be ideal for a couple such as ourselves with lots of good intentions even more in terms of overwhelm. We need something that will work in the background for us and not depend on checking apps regularly.

This may be a basic question but I'm at that level: is there much variation in the quality of inverters?

Screwdriva

This may be a basic question but I'm at that level: is there much variation in the quality of inverters?

Yes. I recommend brands which offer full unit replacement warranties (Tesla, SolarEdge, Enphase, Fronius) as they tend to look after their customers better. Tesla and SolarEdge are software variable sized units, which is a fancy way of saying the installer can set them to 3.68KW all the way to 11 KW (in your case 8KW) using software, depending on the DNO export approval (G99 result). Hope this helps!