The Boy That Cried PV Extension

[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

[Mart]

Ground prep done:

[Fintray]

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

Edit - We'll need more than that.

[Joeboy]

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

Edit - We'll need more than that.

Ah bless I'm! Don't want to frighten him off after all these years!
GO MART!!!

[Mart]

More pics? Ok.

Pretty black panels, ready and waiting:

[Mart]

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

Edit - We'll need more than that.

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.

[Mart]

Ground mount almost finished,




One battery in/up,

[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.

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

I'm doing an update today so what's the battery capacity, I've got to know.

[Mart]

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.

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

I'm doing an update today so what's the battery capacity, I've got to know.

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,



Inverter fiited,




First coat of Blackjack done,




Two batts with 9.7kWh available each.

[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?