Solar PV advice

[Richard77]

Total generation today was 4.00kWh.

Our W/E system at 5.12kW produced 10.7kWh. That's the one with optimisers on. The other system that is very close to being the same size (5.12kW) has a Southerly heading (mostly) and it kicked out 14.75kW. This indicates to me that HP matters which is orientation.

No1 Son system at 800W produced 0.92kW today and is Southerly. On its best day of the year it will produce 6kWh.

4kWh is decent for a smaller system which is also mighty. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Welcome to the club!

Just need to try reduce our usage now!

Usually 20-30kWh daily (exc. EV charging!)

New York! New York! The house that never sleeps

[MikeNovack]

Over the entire year, our system has been very consistent, approximately 8 MWh/year. But when comparing shorter time periods, even months (say Oct last year against Oct the year previous) might vary even >30%. And comparing Februarys might vary >100% << might be snow covered much of the month compared to very little of the month >>

The point is, at least where we are, a given month might have very different fraction of sunny days. But not entire years. Weather vs climate.

[Richard77]

Over the entire year, our system has been very consistent, approximately 8 MWh/year. But when comparing shorter time periods, even months (say Oct last year against Oct the year previous) might vary even >30%. And comparing Februarys might vary >100% << might be snow covered much of the month compared to very little of the month >>

The point is, at least where we are, a given month might have very different fraction of sunny days. But not entire years. Weather vs climate.

Yeah good point mate.

I think I will just have to see how it goes and monitor it over a longer period of time.

Just a bit eager to ensure the install is ok and everything is operating the way it should be.

[Richard77]

Hardly any spells of sun today so didn't do any testing covering individual panels.

I must say though, SunSynk support is very good through the connect app. The live chat is always available and literally no waiting times to connect to the support staff who can remote access the inverter if it's required.

They initiated a firmware upgrade for me today that was done in about 30 mins remotely, when told it could be upto 24 hours.

[Joeboy]

Hardly any spells of sun today so didn't do any testing covering individual panels.

I must say though, SunSynk support is very good through the connect app. The live chat is always available and literally no waiting times to connect to the support staff who can remote access the inverter if it's required.

They initiated a firmware upgrade for me today that was done in about 30 mins remotely, when told it could be upto 24 hours.

The early days can be excruciating. Here's No1 Son's 800W system for the month. It is NOT consistent but it gets there.

[Richard77]

Hardly any spells of sun today so didn't do any testing covering individual panels.

I must say though, SunSynk support is very good through the connect app. The live chat is always available and literally no waiting times to connect to the support staff who can remote access the inverter if it's required.

They initiated a firmware upgrade for me today that was done in about 30 mins remotely, when told it could be upto 24 hours.

The early days can be excruciating. Here's No1 Son's 800W system for the month. It is NOT consistent but it gets there.

Looks pretty good for just 800w ... Good stuff.

[Richard77]

I wonder if any of the experts here could take a quick look at the earthing or "lack of" in the install:







The grid connections live, neutral and earth go to a fusebox in the garage (AC isolator between the inverter and fusebox). That then goes to a separate fusebox in the house that has an RCD in it. Then from this fusebox, the live and neutral go to the main supply meter and an earth goes into an earth terminal block (all other earth cables go into it too) that then connects to the water and gas pipes.

Nothing is connected to the earth connection on the outside at the bottom of the inverter case and nothing is connected to the opposite side of that inside the inverter case.

[AGT]

Difficult to see, I would run a 4mm2 cable from the battery case to the inverter case, the flex with the L,N,E conductors are earthing the inverter the 4mm2 is the size of cable if not mechanically protected

There should be continuity from the E in the flex to the case so you are linking all the metal work together to be at the same potential- same potential no likelihood of a shock

[pudding]

First pic inside the inverter, looks like the earth is connected, can see the bare solid copper going to the E screw terminal far right. For the outside, that for your battery earth connection, might have to make up your own cable for that one.

[Richard77]

Difficult to see, I would run a 4mm2 cable from the battery case to the inverter case, the flex with the L,N,E conductors are earthing the inverter the 4mm2 is the size of cable if not mechanically protected

There should be continuity from the E in the flex to the case so you are linking all the metal work together to be at the same potential- same potential no likelihood of a shock

First pic inside the inverter, looks like the earth is connected, can see the bare solid copper going to the E screw terminal far right. For the outside, that for your battery earth connection, might have to make up your own cable for that one.

Thanks guys for taking a look.

Unfortunately, the batteries aren't going in until after the garage doors go on and floor done properly. Looking at April 8th for the garage doors.

I have some earth cable that I will have to put some small lugs on to connect the batteries to the inverter when the time comes. Bottom of inverter case ----> battery 1 ------> battery 2.

Sorry if the picture was misleading and making you think the batteries were installed:



When looking at the inside in preparation of battery install,
my concern was that the inverter wasn't earthed properly?

So only having an earth wire plugged into the earth grid connector in the inverter that eventually finds it's way back to the house water/gas pipes (through isolators, fuseboxes, etc) is ok?

When I saw in the manual about earth connection (mandatory) at the bottom of inverter case, alarm bells triggered!