Solar panels

Anything goes in here.....
User avatar
Mikie711
Posts: 4337
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:21 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire.
Contact:

Re: Solar panels

Post by Mikie711 » Sat May 14, 2022 11:23 am

One thing to bear in mind is that your DNO will have capped the export at 3.8kWh (capital W to keep Robin's blood pressure in check) so regardless of your generation rate your inverter (if grid tied) shouldn't produce more than 3.8kWh. That's assuming I have understood the blurb about export and grid tie conditions correctly.
j2 lot wrote:
Fri Apr 15, 2022 2:41 pm
We have had panels since 2012 and in FIT tariff terms still not recovered the purchase cost and we are on the highest FIT rate. We got some compensation for miss selling and If you factor in the reduction in our bills we are up on the deal bur that’s after 10 years. I have thought about battery install to try to reduce bills further but really not convinced we wouldn’t simply be throwing more money at it for no real benefit.

Does this take into account energy used that you have generated. We currently export about 60% of what we generate and am having a battery storage system installed to capture this as the export amount is assumed at 50% of generation and not metered. Therefore the more of the export electricity I can capture and use from the batteries the better.
For arguments sake, we generate approx 4000kWh per annum which means we are losing 2400kWh back to the grid. If we manage to capture and use all of the 2400 then that is an extra saving of £650 at current electricity prices plus we still get the export rate for approx 2000kWh, all be it at a 3p a unit. Our FIT rate works out at a lowly 7.2p for generation and export so based on the above annual generation rate it looks like:
Fit payment per year £290
Saved by batteries £650
Saved by current usage £432

The batteries are going to cost around £4k to install and if we manage to claw back the majority of the unused generation then we should save 4-500 a year which 8-10 year pay back just on the extra and that's before the next price hike in October.
Panels were always a long term prospect but look like they will be 10year break even, batteries will give us some protection from price hikes going forward and there is always room for expansion as prices come down.
Elise S2 260
GR Yaris
BMW M2 Comp
RRS HST
VW Caddy
Mk1 Escort (bare shell)

User avatar
Stu160
Posts: 2807
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:20 pm

Re: Solar panels

Post by Stu160 » Sun May 15, 2022 9:48 am

I have given the go ahead for two systems ,
For the workshop..
This is based on a 22.8kw PV Array, mounted on the Flat Roof and connected to a 20kw Inverter with a 10kw AC Coupled 3 Phase Battery Inverter and 11.6kwh of Storage. The Storage being small due to the demand of the building.

For the house
This is based on a 5.32kw PV Array connected to a 3.7kw Inverter and 15kwh of Storage Battery.

Looking forward to seeing how they work .
Our contract ends at the workshop in December so will jump from 14 p per unint to I would guess between 35-40 p per unit so from £6k a year to £ 12-15 k per year .
Hopefully on a good day the solar could supply 100% of our energy .....on paper. His calculation says it will supply 60% of our needs .
S1 S160
Caterham 310R

User avatar
j2 lot
Posts: 7656
Joined: Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:47 pm
Location: Strathaven / Glasgow

Re: Solar panels

Post by j2 lot » Tue May 17, 2022 11:28 pm

Mikie711 wrote:
Sat May 14, 2022 11:23 am
j2 lot wrote:
Fri Apr 15, 2022 2:41 pm
We have had panels since 2012 and in FIT tariff terms still not recovered the purchase cost and we are on the highest FIT rate. We got some compensation for miss selling and If you factor in the reduction in our bills we are up on the deal bur that’s after 10 years. I have thought about battery install to try to reduce bills further but really not convinced we wouldn’t simply be throwing more money at it for no real benefit.

Does this take into account energy used that you have generated. We currently export about 60% of what we generate and am having a battery storage system installed to capture this as the export amount is assumed at 50% of generation and not metered. Therefore the more of the export electricity I can capture and use from the batteries the better.
For arguments sake, we generate approx 4000kWh per annum which means we are losing 2400kWh back to the grid. If we manage to capture and use all of the 2400 then that is an extra saving of £650 at current electricity prices plus we still get the export rate for approx 2000kWh, all be it at a 3p a unit. Our FIT rate works out at a lowly 7.2p for generation and export so based on the above annual generation rate it looks like:
Fit payment per year £290
Saved by batteries £650
Saved by current usage £432

The batteries are going to cost around £4k to install and if we manage to claw back the majority of the unused generation then we should save 4-500 a year which 8-10 year pay back just on the extra and that's before the next price hike in October.
Panels were always a long term prospect but look like they will be 10year break even, batteries will give us some protection from price hikes going forward and there is always room for expansion as prices come down.
Our peak generation is 3.42kwp and despite anticipated annual generation being 2.63 Mwh were only getting around 1.8Mwh
Our FIT rate is the highest at £0.56 so around £1k pa. Our deemed export is 50% at £0.039 export rate.
I think when I last got battery prices it was over £5k.
2015 Lotus Evora
2023 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline

User avatar
Mikie711
Posts: 4337
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:21 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire.
Contact:

Re: Solar panels

Post by Mikie711 » Fri May 27, 2022 12:06 am

Guess it depends the make and capacity. I am looking at GivEnergy 9.5kW set up if they ever get some more.
Elise S2 260
GR Yaris
BMW M2 Comp
RRS HST
VW Caddy
Mk1 Escort (bare shell)

User avatar
Stu160
Posts: 2807
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:20 pm

Re: Solar panels

Post by Stu160 » Fri May 27, 2022 8:11 am

Supply does seem to be an issue just now.
I hope we will get the panels fitted sometime in June , and the batteries are expected late June so will be installed when they arrive
S1 S160
Caterham 310R

User avatar
Mikie711
Posts: 4337
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:21 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire.
Contact:

Re: Solar panels

Post by Mikie711 » Sat Jun 11, 2022 1:10 am

Just got the quote through at just over £5k installed. As with everything else they are up in price but still think it is worth while over the longer term and for getting the most out of our panels. Looking at our generation now the sun is out we are exporting 80% of what we are making despite using dishwasher/washing machine to try and use what's generated.
Elise S2 260
GR Yaris
BMW M2 Comp
RRS HST
VW Caddy
Mk1 Escort (bare shell)

User avatar
Scotty C
Meat
Posts: 8352
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:11 am
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Solar panels

Post by Scotty C » Mon Jun 13, 2022 8:53 am

Mikie711 wrote:
Sat Jun 11, 2022 1:10 am
Just got the quote through at just over £5k installed. As with everything else they are up in price but still think it is worth while over the longer term and for getting the most out of our panels. Looking at our generation now the sun is out we are exporting 80% of what we are making despite using dishwasher/washing machine to try and use what's generated.
interested in you quote mike, need to catch up and discus.
"Here for a good time not a long time"

User avatar
douglasgdmw
Posts: 2760
Joined: Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:31 pm
Location: Pentlands

Re: Solar panels

Post by douglasgdmw » Fri Jun 17, 2022 8:10 pm

Spotted this in case its of any interest

https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/solar-p ... -batteries
Alpine A110S
Mini JCW
Range Rover L322 4.4TDV8
Land Rover Series 2a softop

User avatar
Stu160
Posts: 2807
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:20 pm

Re: Solar panels

Post by Stu160 » Thu Jul 21, 2022 6:29 pm

Solar Update .

Panels fitted last Wednesday so 7 days in.(5.2PV with a 3.7Kw Inverter)
Unfortunately....the batteries are on back order just now ,so being fitted once they arrive (15Kw)....( hope I get that right Robin )

7 full days running
178Kw produced
25Kw per day.

Average use over the past 100 days before fitting 21 Kw per day

Average use after fitting 12Kw per day ......

So even before I have the batteries installed it nearly halfed our consumption off the grid .

At that rate with batteries fitted we would be zero off the grid just now . It has been very sunny , but its impressive.

Stu
S1 S160
Caterham 310R

User avatar
scott_e
Posts: 2166
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2005 5:13 pm
Location: Broughty ferry

Re: Solar panels

Post by scott_e » Fri Jul 22, 2022 6:41 am

Thanks for posting the update Stu, super interesting to hear. Really like the idea of fitting panels to reduce electricity consumption. Think I will move back out into the country side again in 10 years or so but not really worried about the long term cost offset, like the idea of reducing monthly electricity cost.

Need to check the rest of the post to see how many panels were fitted and by whom.

Thanks again for the update.
Scott

User avatar
Stu160
Posts: 2807
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:20 pm

Re: Solar panels

Post by Stu160 » Fri Jul 22, 2022 8:01 am

It's 14 panels fitted by Billy Black Electrical from Pitlochry.
Dad and Son company who were recommended to me. Good workers .
S1 S160
Caterham 310R

User avatar
douglasgdmw
Posts: 2760
Joined: Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:31 pm
Location: Pentlands

Re: Solar panels

Post by douglasgdmw » Fri Jul 22, 2022 8:03 am

Stu,

Which batteries did you go with, Tesla or another make?
Alpine A110S
Mini JCW
Range Rover L322 4.4TDV8
Land Rover Series 2a softop

User avatar
BigD
Posts: 3204
Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:02 pm
Location: Falkirk

Re: Solar panels

Post by BigD » Fri Jul 22, 2022 8:32 am

Stu160 wrote:Solar Update .

Panels fitted last Wednesday so 7 days in.(5.2PV with a 3.7Kw Inverter)
Unfortunately....the batteries are on back order just now ,so being fitted once they arrive (15Kw)....( hope I get that right Robin )

7 full days running
178Kw produced
25Kw per day.

Average use over the past 100 days before fitting 21 Kw per day

Average use after fitting 12Kw per day ......

So even before I have the batteries installed it nearly halfed our consumption off the grid .

At that rate with batteries fitted we would be zero off the grid just now . It has been very sunny , but its impressive.

Stu
Sounds good Stu. I’d be interested to see the drop off in winter. Consumption is usually far higher and production much less. That said even if you only get your summer consumption to zero that’s a good win. Image

My panels in my off grid hideaway can’t keep the batteries charged in winter but easily do so all summer long.

User avatar
Stu160
Posts: 2807
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:20 pm

Re: Solar panels

Post by Stu160 » Fri Jul 22, 2022 6:45 pm

The Tesla batteries are also on back order ....the guy who fitted ours is the scottish agent for them and has dozens to fit when they come in .
I am getting FoxESS ones
S1 S160
Caterham 310R

Post Reply