Buying Solar Panels

[JC_UK]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy solar panels to grow out our installation.

They will be going on top of log stores so flexible on size/power.

Can go to 3kw and/or 6kw depending on how I rework the inverters (solar-SunnyBoy 3600 and batteries - Sofar ME3000SP) I already have.

Looking at swapping the Sofar ME3000SP for a hybrid inverter and reconnect the batteries to the hybrid inverter......

Any pointers/recommendations for buying panels please?

Many thanks
JC

[sharpener]

I looked a week ago and Midsummer Wholesale had a choice of about 5 reputable brands avaiable from stock at reasonable prices.

Several other people here have used Bimble Solar.

[Oldgreybeard]

I've used Bimble, Midsummer and ITS, all have been fine, no complaints at all from me about any of them.

[Joeboy]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy solar panels to grow out our installation.

They will be going on top of log stores so flexible on size/power.

Can go to 3kw and/or 6kw depending on how I rework the inverters (solar-SunnyBoy 3600 and batteries - Sofar ME3000SP) I already have.

Looking at swapping the Sofar ME3000SP for a hybrid inverter and reconnect the batteries to the hybrid inverter......

Any pointers/recommendations for buying panels please?

Many thanks
JC

Get as much as you can on within the limits of your inverter(s). Personally I'd rather have more of a slightly lower performing tier 1 panel than pay extra for slightly less of a bleeding edge Tier 1 offering. My personal preference is Bimble, i found them to be truly excellent. ITS tried to extort me on rails/panel sale. Wouldn't sell rails without panels too, left a bad taste so personally I'm done with them. Midsummer were OK too as were Tradesparky.
I have Qcell, JA and Trina panels, all around the 380 to 420W range, all excellent. Bear in mind access once you have installed and also its a rule of thumb to leave 200mm roof space.

[smegal]

https://www.hdmsolar.co.uk/

These are pretty well priced for panels and offer a lower cost delivery option where they transport the panels themselves.

Saves them getting stood on like mine that came from trade sparky.

[NikoV6]

ITS were very helpful and a great price when we bought at the beginning of the year

[JC_UK]

Hi again,

I've been on ebay and think I have a good way forward.

Going to keep the Sofar ME3000SP for now for the batteries.

I have found a SMA Sunnyboy 3.0 - 3kw solar grid tied inverter, complete with warranty
I will get this cabled in to the home system with the electrician we usually use for such work.
To make sure the system monitoring etc works with this addition the feed to the Consumer unit will need to be routed through the CT clamp for the Sofar ME3000SP to enable to monitor generation on the new inverter.
This also means all generation can be routed and monitored on the SMA Sunnyboy cloud app.

We have run out of space on the CU so will have a larger CU fitted with a couple of free ways for car charging in future, etc.

I have also sourced 16 second hand solar panels - REC 260W, and will probably connect 10/12 (~3kw) of these to the new Sunnyboy inverter.

This keeps our original solar within the FIT agreement, keeps our batteries and also adds approx. 3kw of solar generation.

Many thanks

JC

[nowty]

I have also sourced 16 second hand solar panels - REC 260W, and will probably connect 10/12 (~3kw) of these to the new Sunnyboy inverter.

This keeps our original solar within the FIT agreement, keeps our batteries and also adds approx. 3kw of solar generation.

What are you intending to do with the panels left over ?

[JC_UK]

Hi all,

4 will be used elsewhere to charge up leisure batteries to run Amazon Blink cameras off grid, using an O2 4g hotspot powered from USB.....

4 will form a small 1KW string and the other 8 will form a 2KW string for the SMA inverter.

Many thanks

JC