Will in roof panels fit ?

[Moxi]

In parallel with my other enquiry into batteries etc I have plans to install panels on to the SSW facing roof, because of our altitude and the prevailing SW winds we get in winter I want these panels to be flush or in roof mounted.

You can probably see the lead staples on some of the tiles that have been slotted back in to place and its worth saying that 9 years ago 80% of the slates left the roof in a 105mph gusts (next doors double garage roof, which was partially in the lee of the house, left its fixtures at the same time going over the roof of their single storey cottage through the power lines and landing 60ft away in the field ) and the roof was never really put back as we had wanted but the insurance people said it was suitable.

So do those who know think this is a practical option ? What sort of array would you think would fit up there and has anyone got any installer recommendations for North Wales (Caernarfon / Bangor area) - I would be installing a hybrid inverter and batteries straight off with this system as its a more modern build and the layout and space lends itself to the "full treatment"

This is a separate property to mine and so DNO notification would not be an issue.

Moxi

[Stinsy]

It is hard to tell without dimensions however I'd guess you'd get 5x panels up there, 330-400W per panel depending: how much you want to pay, dimensions, and availability.

[Moxi]

Hi Stinsey,

I always manage to forget something critical

I've gauged the width ( ridge to eaves) to be around 3.5m and the length from the velux to be 4.25m for a lower row and above the velux 6.25m.

Taking 400W Jinko panels as a typical size (1.72h x 1.14w) I reckon I can get a minimum of six panels (3 above 3) in the main section and possibly 2 more on the top row above the velux (although these two would need their own micro inverters as they would shade earlier than the rest because of my chimney and roof)

So far as I have been able to glean today the in roof systems are normally portrait layout which I hadn't considered before.

So based on this present assessment I could get around 2400Wp to 3200Wp integrated into the roof, I think the 2400Wp is the sensible design basis for now until I get quotes in.

Any suggestions regards sensible battery size to go with this size solar array ? Pylontech 2.4kW modules would be my preferred media as theres space under the stairs for the rack and its next to the incoming power and consumer unit.

Moxi

[Countrypaul]

Bear in mind that the trays for the in-roof fitting seem to require more space around the panel (even tough they overlap than if the panels are fitted above the roof. This gave us some additional problems and limited the number of panels we could have on our roof.

[Stinsy]

Tigo Optimisers are useful for panels likely to shade. This means the array can be a single string with a single inverter. The optimisers sacrifice string voltage to keep the underperforming panels from dragging down string current.

Eg if you have a string of 5x 400W panels each delivering 40V 10A then the string would be 200V 10A (2kW), but if a single panel is shaded it takes out the entire string giving you 200V 1A (200W). However if an optimiser is attached to the shaded panel you get 160V 10A (1.6kW).

A better solution than micro-inverters IMO.

[Stinsy]

If you’ve got 3.5m from ridge-to-eaves then this is a good case for the 1504x1002mm 295W Perlight panels. You’d get 8x panels on the bit to the right of the velux giving you 2360Wp. How much room do you have above the Velux? Can you get 2x portrait in-line with the top row? That’d give you 2950Wp.

Not sure in-roof trays are available in this size though. Maybe they can be cut down?

[Countrypaul]

I know some of the tray sytems can be used landscape but no idea how common that is.

The trays are not really suitable for trimming (at least the ones I've seen) as they are designed to drain the water so any damage is likely to require plastic repair. The trays are avaiable in different sizes down to about 800mm wde but not sure about length.

[Moxi]

Lots of helpful advise and comments there - thanks.

Just had a look at one of the mounting options and they cover the following range of sizes

PV panel tolerance: Height – 1670-1750mm, Width – 1025-1030mm

I don't know why but I assumed (wrongly) that the higher the pane Watts the more power I would get on the roof so Stinsy you have reminded me that I need to be more diligent and consider the options fully.

I believe their is space on the top row above the velux for two more panels and taking the advice on the Tigo optimisers this seems more of an option than I first thought and will be a question for the installers to quote against.

Does anyone have any recommended installers that would cover North Wales ? I have sourced some local companies which I will approach for a quote but recommendations are always welcome.

Moxi

[Countrypaul]

This is the one Ive seen: https://www.gseintegration.com/en/solut ... of-system/ - yes I know its French

[Moxi]

Thanks Countrypaul,

I have just been looking at the same but on midsummers web page and they have an excel spread sheet from GSE that helps you to layout the roof, thy also do a landscape mount for the same price as the portrait so its looking better and better.

Link to the spread sheet in case anyone is interested, the link is just before the product numbers start:

https://midsummerwholesale.co.uk/buy/ro ... d-solar-pv

Moxi