Second system extension extension.

[Stinsy]

Goood point Stinsy. It’s a Sunny Boy 2500HF inverter with a start up DC voltage of 220V and current of 15A.
So, I’ll be looking for a smaller used inverter tomorrow. I would think that they will be plentiful. Thanks for that.

Looking forward and hoping to see some build photos when time allows Stan?

We have seen a bit of a solar rewind here after a poor ish few weeks. A couple of days now of scattered rain along with strong sun.
Main array is putting out around 2.4kW which is charging EV while 2nd array is resolutely bouncing on the 1.8kW charge controller max charging the stack. A fine day Indeed!

Opposite for me. A week of good solid 10kWh days has made way for a gloomier weather. I'll probably do well to get 2kWh today. These are the days where every kWp of generation capacity helps (I'm still confident of getting through without using any "peak" electricity).

[Joeboy]

Goood point Stinsy. It’s a Sunny Boy 2500HF inverter with a start up DC voltage of 220V and current of 15A.
So, I’ll be looking for a smaller used inverter tomorrow. I would think that they will be plentiful. Thanks for that.

Looking forward and hoping to see some build photos when time allows Stan?

We have seen a bit of a solar rewind here after a poor ish few weeks. A couple of days now of scattered rain along with strong sun.
Main array is putting out around 2.4kW which is charging EV while 2nd array is resolutely bouncing on the 1.8kW charge controller max charging the stack. A fine day Indeed!

Opposite for me. A week of good solid 10kWh days has made way for a gloomier weather. I'll probably do well to get 2kWh today. These are the days where every kWp of generation capacity helps (I'm still confident of getting through without using any "peak" electricity).

Now moving into the part of the year I find to be interesting. Oct to Feb will be the months i'll truly see if the extra work put in this year has had a decent impact. It's the gas figure I am watching as the Electric figure is now very skewed with the EV. A good 'problem' to have! Are your plans for next Spring for your own solar extension Stinsy?

[Stinsy]

Looking forward and hoping to see some build photos when time allows Stan?

We have seen a bit of a solar rewind here after a poor ish few weeks. A couple of days now of scattered rain along with strong sun.
Main array is putting out around 2.4kW which is charging EV while 2nd array is resolutely bouncing on the 1.8kW charge controller max charging the stack. A fine day Indeed!

Opposite for me. A week of good solid 10kWh days has made way for a gloomier weather. I'll probably do well to get 2kWh today. These are the days where every kWp of generation capacity helps (I'm still confident of getting through without using any "peak" electricity).

Now moving into the part of the year I find to be interesting. Oct to Feb will be the months i'll truly see if the extra work put in this year has had a decent impact. It's the gas figure I am watching as the Electric figure is now very skewed with the EV. A good 'problem' to have! Are your plans for next Spring for your own solar extension Stinsy?

Yes! When I built the garden office 6 years ago I cheaped out and went for bargain basement felt on the roof. So as soon as we have a dry spell in March or whenever I'll redo the felt (with 15 or 25 year guaranteed decent stuff) and throw a few panels up there. We'll have the EV by then so will be able to make the most of the electric even in summer. I hadn't realised how much fuel the XC90 PHEV saved us! I used to put £20 a month in the Diesel Audi and £20 every other month in the PHEV now I'm using more than £60 a month with just the Audi!

I've ordered a storage heater for the office (coming Wed next week) and a couple of oil-filled radiators. I'm sensing that gas might be more expensive than resistive electric heating on the cheap rate this winter.

[Stan]

Here’s one of the 2 frames that I’ve made so far. It’s 90 x 40mm dexion that is already on its third life. They will be sitting on grass on an 8 degree negative slope, similar to the slope of this concrete. The panels will end up at 30 degrees to the horizontal. The base rail extensions will carry ballast and mowing will be necessary.

[Joeboy]

Excellent repurpose! Seriously strong. Could you use galvanised tent pegs to anchor?

[Stan]

Pegs would be easier/neater as long as they don’t loosen over time.

[Joeboy]

Pegs would be easier/neater as long as they don’t loosen over time.

You also have the option of self made wooden pegs if you have time and inclination. That would be cool.

[Stan]

I’ve just taken these pics at around 6pm as the sun drops and the shadows arrive. One beauty of this sled is that I can move it around to find the best position relative to shadows. I want to keep it as near to the wire fence and shed as is reasonable.
The electric fence is to keep the sheep off.
I might add one diagonal or not. When lifted, it doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere.

[Joeboy]

I’ve just taken these pics at around 6pm as the sun drops and the shadows arrive. One beauty of this sled is that I can move it around to find the best position relative to shadows. I want to keep it as near to the fence and shed as is reasonable.
The fence is to keep the sheep off.
I might add one diagonal or not. When lifted, it doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere.

Nice one, beautiful evening. I'm also making mine mobile next Spring.

[Stan]

In the end I modified the frame design to give more clearance for grass growth, with all the angles staying the same.





When coupled in series and open circuit, the 2 panels show 89V DC roughly in bright sunshine. One panel on its own gave around 41V in very poor light, too poor for generation . I am going to buy a Growatt TL X grid-tied inverter. My dilemma is that the 0.75kW model has a start voltage of 50V DC and the 1.0kW model has a start voltage of 80V.
I would prefer the 1.0kW model to maximise output from 990Wp of panels but it may be cutting a fine line on start-up voltage. Neither model outputs above its specified wattage. In reality, having the 0.75kW model may mean minimal loss of output at this time of year when it is most valuable. I already have 2.5kWp on Fits.
To add to the matter, Bimble sell a kit with 2 of these panels and the 0.75kWp model. I think I know the logical answer.
PS, the post in the foreground will go.