Second system extension extension.

[Stinsy]

Who did u price with?
Don't be scared of a little overhang, it looks ok and does no bad.

My choices for supplier were ITS and laterally trade sparky. I agree on the delivery costs being kept down. I was £75 for a pallet. Tempted to go proper nuts and over order panel volume to keep per down but SWMBO has been incredibly cool so I don't want to take the piss as that's no way to show thanks.

You should have a look for used rail systems and clamps, time is on your side.

You will want to look for a direct pick up if you can?

I'm not scared of a little overhang but I'm struggling to find a solution with modest (say 100-200mm) overhang.

ITS are local to me (well an hour each way) but their website says they don't do collection 'cos COVID, I don't have a vehicle that could transport 1m x 2m panels anyway and they also strictly limit orders to 3-or-more panels.

Bimble Solar seem to be a little cheaper per-panel and I'm sure charge similarly for pallet delivery.

[Joeboy]

By next year market forces will I hope reinstate IT'S click n collect. I reckon 250mm would be my personal limit for overhang. Can always add an oriental touch or two to dial in the new look pagoda.

I'll be honest. If it was me and I only had an hour each way i'd use my new VW EV, blankets and a few lightly applied 25mm cargo straps. Panels on the roof. That's me though. Set off early sat morn, get there for 8am, back home for 09.30 B roading it.

For £75? That's the rail system just about paid for!

[nowty]

Depending on which panel your buying from Bimble, they can be very cheap for delivery if you only want 2 or 3. But you have to wait up to 2 weeks as they seem to have their own delivery service and only deliver when the vans due in your area.

[Stan]

I’ve just had 2 off JA495 panels from Bimble. Delivery was fast. I ordered late Sunday evening and they arrived 10.30am Wednesday. They came from Northampton to near Ashbourne using Panther delivery. The 2 panels were shrink-wrapped together with their sunny sides facing each other. They travelled vertical, trapped between other cardboard packages (no pallet). They measure about 2100 x 1130mm. These panels are over 26kg each and the 2 employees carried this 53kg package a fair way to my waiting shed where they would be out of the wind. No complaints at all.
A second parcel of sundries arrived by DPD a few hours later.
Total carriage charge with VAT was about £75.

[Joeboy]

I’ve just had 2 off JA495 panels from Bimble. Delivery was fast. I ordered late Sunday evening and they arrived 10.30am Wednesday. They came from Northampton to near Ashbourne using Panther delivery. The 2 panels were shrink-wrapped together with their sunny sides facing each other. They travelled vertical, trapped between other cardboard packages (no pallet). They measure about 2100 x 1130mm. These panels are over 26kg each and the 2 employees carried this 53kg package a fair way to my waiting shed where they would be out of the wind. No complaints at all.
A second parcel of sundries arrived by DPD a few hours later.
Total carriage charge with VAT was about £75.

Are you replacing or extending Stan?

[Stan]

Currently I have 2.5kWp of grid-tied PV Joeboy. This additional 1kWp is my so-called plug-in solar. I already have a spare 2.5kW used inverter sitting on a shelf, just in case of a failure. I’ve bought the DC cables and a DC disconnection switch. This system will be fed into the dedicated circuit feeding the shed, in the shed and via a fused double pole switch (no plug).
So I’m busy knocking out dexion frames to sit on the ground and to mount the panels at 30 degrees to horizontal.
The JA495 is designed to be supported at mid length on a horizontal tracker which is quite some call but they were the cheapest Bimble panel at 28p/Watt including VAT. I will be supporting them with less bending load on their frames.

[Joeboy]

Currently I have 2.5kWp of grid-tied PV Joeboy. This additional 1kWp is my so-called plug-in solar. I already have a spare 2.5kW used inverter sitting on a shelf, just in case of a failure. I’ve bought the DC cables and a DC disconnection switch. This system will be fed into the dedicated circuit feeding the shed, in the shed and via a fused double pole switch (no plug).
So I’m busy knocking out dexion frames to sit on the ground and to mount the panels at 30 degrees to horizontal.
The JA495 is designed to be supported at mid length on a horizontal tracker which is quite some call but they were the cheapest Bimble panel at 28p/Watt including VAT. I will be supporting them with less bending load on their frames.

Nice one, good time of year to do it too and at a low cost.. If I had the space I'd rework the whole lot as ground mount. Just for ease of working and cleaning. All the best with the build! Liking the dexion idea, another ground mount advantage.

Today was my first full day with not too bad weather for the Shell extension. A noticeable improvement. Never fails to amaze me that once it's installed and switched on it just keeps doing it every day for us.

[Stinsy]

Currently I have 2.5kWp of grid-tied PV Joeboy. This additional 1kWp is my so-called plug-in solar. I already have a spare 2.5kW used inverter sitting on a shelf, just in case of a failure. I’ve bought the DC cables and a DC disconnection switch. This system will be fed into the dedicated circuit feeding the shed, in the shed and via a fused double pole switch (no plug).
So I’m busy knocking out dexion frames to sit on the ground and to mount the panels at 30 degrees to horizontal.
The JA495 is designed to be supported at mid length on a horizontal tracker which is quite some call but they were the cheapest Bimble panel at 28p/Watt including VAT. I will be supporting them with less bending load on their frames.

Sounds like a nice project. Nice to see someone else confirming the £/Wp of the panels I’m looking at compare favourably.

What is the startup voltage of the inverter you’re intending to use?

I’d be grateful to see some pictures of your installation…

[Stan]

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.

[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!