The Boy That Cried PV Extension

Don't keep it to yourself - we want to see it
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Mart
Posts: 1314
Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:17 pm

The Boy That Cried PV Extension

#1

Post by Mart »

Based on a true story.

So, after something like 7yrs of planning (much of it on forum) for a south facing ground mount, to help my poor winter gen from E/W systems, the day has finally arrived.

Was waiting for battery prices to fall, as (then) needed to install them at the same time to get them VAT free. Then Mr Putin went on his travels, and prices went up. Finally prices coming down fast, and a massive bonus this year with the policy change allowing VAT free batt install if solar already in situ. That simplified the plans for a two stage approach, that ultimately wasn't necessary anyway.

Originally planned for 4x 400Wp panels, but with an inverter swap to one that can handle 200% DC, plus a DC side battery to hopefully mop up excess, the ground mount grew to 4x 530Wp panels. Plus the inverter headroom allows for a swop of the easy to get to panels on the low rear roof and canopy. So swapping 5x 235Wp for 5x 440Wp.

Location for ground mount chosen

Image
8.7kWp PV [2.12kWp SSW + 4.61kWp ESE PV + 2.0kWp WNW PV]
Two BEV's.
Two small A2A heatpumps.
20kWh Battery storage.
Mart
Posts: 1314
Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: The Boy That Cried PV Extension

#2

Post by Mart »

Ground prep done:

Image
8.7kWp PV [2.12kWp SSW + 4.61kWp ESE PV + 2.0kWp WNW PV]
Two BEV's.
Two small A2A heatpumps.
20kWh Battery storage.
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Fintray
Posts: 1572
Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 6:37 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire

Re: The Boy That Cried PV Extension

#3

Post by Fintray »

That 56% increase will give you a fair bit of help once it's done but remember photos or it didn't happen! :D

Edit - We'll need more than that. :lol:
3.87kWp PV
10.24kWp PV SolarEdge system
Tesla Powerwall 2
100 x 47mm Navitron tubes (still being installed!) Now likely to be removed for more PV.
MK2 PV router DHW diverter
Morso 5kW WBS
Vaillant AroTherm 10kW ASHP
Nissan Leaf
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Joeboy
Posts: 8151
Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 4:22 pm
Location: Inverurie

Re: The Boy That Cried PV Extension

#4

Post by Joeboy »

Fintray wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:12 am That 56% increase will give you a fair bit of help once it's done but remember photos or it didn't happen! :D

Edit - We'll need more than that. :lol:
Ah bless I'm! Don't want to frighten him off after all these years! :D
GO MART!!! 👏 👏
19.7kW PV SE, VI, HM, EN & DW
Ripple 7kW WT & Gen to date 19MWh
42kWh LFPO4 storage
95kWh Heater storage
12kWh 210ltr HWT.
73kWh HI5
Deep insulation, air leak ct'd home
Zoned GCH & Hive 2
WBSx2
Low energy bulbs
Veg patches & fruit trees
Mart
Posts: 1314
Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: The Boy That Cried PV Extension

#5

Post by Mart »

More pics? Ok.

Pretty black panels, ready and waiting:

Image


Image
8.7kWp PV [2.12kWp SSW + 4.61kWp ESE PV + 2.0kWp WNW PV]
Two BEV's.
Two small A2A heatpumps.
20kWh Battery storage.
Mart
Posts: 1314
Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: The Boy That Cried PV Extension

#6

Post by Mart »

Fintray wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:12 am That 56% increase will give you a fair bit of help once it's done but remember photos or it didn't happen! :D

Edit - We'll need more than that. :lol:
And the big increase is in the winter, the SSE ground mount of 2.12kWp should equal the current 5.58kWp gen in Dec and Jan. Add in the low roof upgrade and estimates rise from 79kWh to 175kWh in Dec, and 95kWh to 200kWh in Jan.
8.7kWp PV [2.12kWp SSW + 4.61kWp ESE PV + 2.0kWp WNW PV]
Two BEV's.
Two small A2A heatpumps.
20kWh Battery storage.
Mart
Posts: 1314
Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: The Boy That Cried PV Extension

#7

Post by Mart »

Ground mount almost finished,

Image


One battery in/up,


Image
8.7kWp PV [2.12kWp SSW + 4.61kWp ESE PV + 2.0kWp WNW PV]
Two BEV's.
Two small A2A heatpumps.
20kWh Battery storage.
User avatar
nowty
Posts: 5828
Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 2:36 pm
Location: South Coast

Re: The Boy That Cried PV Extension

#8

Post by nowty »

After you wetted our appetite on the 17th July that you might have something fun to report next week, I had been putting off an update to the secret list.

A week went by, nothing. :roll:

I was almost giving up hope yesterday, but at least you were only 1 week late this time. :xx:

I'm doing an update today so what's the battery capacity, I've got to know. :mrgreen:
18.7kW PV > 109MWh generated
Ripple 6.6kW Wind + 4.5kW PV > 26MWh generated
5 Other RE Coop's
105kWh EV storage
60kWh Home battery storage
40kWh Thermal storage
GSHP + A2A HP's
Rain water use > 510 m3
Mart
Posts: 1314
Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: The Boy That Cried PV Extension

#9

Post by Mart »

nowty wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:53 am After you wetted our appetite on the 17th July that you might have something fun to report next week, I had been putting off an update to the secret list.

A week went by, nothing. :roll:

I was almost giving up hope yesterday, but at least you were only 1 week late this time. :xx:

I'm doing an update today so what's the battery capacity, I've got to know. :mrgreen:
1 week late, I've no idea what you are talking about. Progress has been incredible today, almost too hard to believe!

Second batt in,

Image

Inverter fiited,

Image


First coat of Blackjack done,

Image


Two batts with 9.7kWh available each.
8.7kWp PV [2.12kWp SSW + 4.61kWp ESE PV + 2.0kWp WNW PV]
Two BEV's.
Two small A2A heatpumps.
20kWh Battery storage.
Mart
Posts: 1314
Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: The Boy That Cried PV Extension

#10

Post by Mart »

I knew things were going too well, new inverter won't talk to upper roof panels as some of the power optimisers are faulty.

Insurance and legal issues mean that the installers can't work from ladders or harnesses anymore, so Scaffolding needed, and time/cost to find faults and replace PO's.

Or ........ I could pop to the local supplier of safety kit and get a harness, a lanyard, and under the disapproving supervision of Wifey, climb out the Velux and swop 3 PO's myself?

Image
8.7kWp PV [2.12kWp SSW + 4.61kWp ESE PV + 2.0kWp WNW PV]
Two BEV's.
Two small A2A heatpumps.
20kWh Battery storage.
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