Second thoughts on batteries

[nowty]

Looking like a 30-35° pitch for us. Interestingly I've heard back from GivEnergy - the 10kW 3-phase system isn't available in the UK, they don't sell anything between 5kW single-phase and 30kW 3-phase. I'll check again when we start building, but I think that's enough to knock the idea of a battery on the head - the other alternatives are a lot more expensive.

There are masses of 3 phase inverters on the market and if batteries are going to be sometime in the future you don't need to go with a hybrid one. A separate battery inverter can be bought with the batteries later down the line.

[Stinsy]

Assuming this is the forever house, an EV or 2 are likely to appear on the timeline? Maybe you'll want a heated greenhouse or a tub or even a pool in time?

I certainly found that our life adjusted around the power we generated as we lived through it. Continues to today. I don't think that massive amounts of self generated power can have a downside. Obviously, good homework to be done on the outgoing side and it's tariff. Exciting times for you! At £500 per kWp you won't have that chance again.

I'm more than a bit wary of that argument - it's basically the same as the medieval sale of indulgences, with having PV giving you a license to pollute more.

Oh not at all. If anything it pushes you the other way as you are more aware of generation and thus your own use. Although you may wish to live the aesthetic lifestyle which is of course fine. At the same time in that lifestyle you will be exporting more to the grid and will be helping the carbon balance outwith your own home. Just another way to look at it? You'll know your own mind on this one, its personal.
[/quote]

I'm with you. I don't have huge generation capacity. But I generate more than I would normally use on sunny days (such as today). On those days I cook a batch for the freezer, or wash the towels/bedding. Exporting I see as "waste". In winter I'd benefit hugely from an array with 2x the kWp (or even 4x) in such a situation I'd look at ways to enjoy the extra power in summer. A hot-tub would be a great way of benefiting from the extra power generated.

[Paul_F]

There are masses of 3 phase inverters on the market and if batteries are going to be sometime in the future you don't need to go with a hybrid one. A separate battery inverter can be bought with the batteries later down the line.

That's what I'm thinking - fit a relatively cheap 3-phase inverter and leave room for a battery next to it on the ground floor, ensure the consumer unit is next to it, and don't worry too much. In a few years time I can either go for a hybrid inverter or an AC-coupled battery easily enough. Thanks guys, this has actually been really helpful.