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I would like to find a supplier to install 8 or 10 more panels on my S facing slate roof in S Devon.

There is already a Victron ESS so I do not need an inverter, and would prefer to obtain an appropriate MPPT from the original Victron supplier and fit it myself to simplify support and warranty. So the panels would just be wired back to the DC isolator that is already in place.

Having contacted over a dozen potential installers none of them want a job like this. They are all very busy around here and prefer to fit complete "clean slate" systems (sorry!)

Can anyone please suggest a reliable installer who would tackle this job (PM me if preferred)?

Also what might I expect to pay to supply and fit 8 or 10 panels + a 25m external cable run?

TIA

Do you just need a roofer to fit the panels, rather than a solar installer, and they'd probably do a better job of getting the slate installation right first time? Sounds like its just the physical installation needed and nothing really electrical apart from plug and play MC4 connectors and to the DC isolator?

pudding wrote: ↑Sun Sep 18, 2022 12:32 pm Do you just need a roofer to fit the panels, rather than a solar installer, and they'd probably do a better job of getting the slate installation right first time? Sounds like its just the physical installation needed and nothing really electrical apart from plug and play MC4 connectors and to the DC isolator?

Well I would need a roofer with experience of solar installation including setting out the job, fitting the brackets and rails properly and wiring up the panels correctly 4s2p back to the DC isolator. So yes, more roofing than electrical but I wouldn't just give the work to the guy who fixed two slipped slates a while back.

Often the person who fits the panels is a roofer on contract. The wiring is a doddle so need not worry about that. Ask an installer who they use -you never know. If you see an installation taking place ask the tradepersons. My biggest concern would be having someone who can handle slates and use replacement artificial slate with the bracket system. I presume you are going to buy panels,rails,brackets etc.

Unless you're fitting optimisers or microinverters, then the only wiring is plugging each panel to its neighbour, and the panels usually come with leads and MC4 connectors already fitted. Very simple if they are all in one row, and will only need one link cable for two rows. Only other cabling will be the cables to the inverter, but I have a feeling you can get pre-terminated cables with MC4 connectors already crimped on to make that an equally easy job. If the roofer is concerned about the wiring, perhaps see if you can get up there to just plug the connectors together. With pre-terminated leads this is very safe, as there are no exposed live bits. I'd trust a good roofer more than a solar panel fitter, TBH.

Ken wrote: ↑Tue Sep 20, 2022 10:35 am Often the person who fits the panels is a roofer on contract. The wiring is a doddle so need not worry about that. Ask an installer who they use -you never know. If you see an installation taking place ask the tradepersons. My biggest concern would be having someone who can handle slates and use replacement artificial slate with the bracket system. I presume you are going to buy panels,rails,brackets etc.

Yes to all of that but I would much prefer to place a single contract. I do not want to go out and buy the bits in advance without identifying the fitter/roofer, they will doubtless have their preference for the type of bracket/rail system and if I cannot then find someone I have £ks of stuff that is not generating. At a pinch I would purchase the kit after knowing who will do the work and agreeing the components required. But if they then cry off I am back to the previous scenario.

I know the wiring is very simple, in fact the obvious way to do it is in two U-shapes so the two strings both terminate in the middle of the array, are of equal length, and need only one roof penetration. However having retired as a consulting engineer some years ago there is no way I am going up on the roof to do it personally. My wife and/or son might be up for it (she is a Tall Ships instructor and he is an Army reservist - previously Royal Marines) but I do not think it reasonable to expect it of them.

I do not want to over-constrain the job as I have been already been burned by three firms who have asked a long series of questions about the roof and the existing installation over a period of many weeks and then declined the job because they do not want to extend a system they did not fit.

So I will continue looking. Specific suggestions gratefully received.