More Panels

[ceisra]

Before Lockdown I considered increasing my solar panels ( adding another system ) but it never got actioned.
I have 4Kw with FITs and so cant touch it unless it goes wrong.
Have worked out the west side of my garage roof could probably take 3Kw of panels without a lot of effort.
Also found out that the garage is powered from the house ring main so spent time installing a 10mm cable from garage to consumer unit.

My next plan is to decide standard solar controller/inverter or batteries but thats where I am stuck.

From posts on many forums batteries are not cheap but can the cost be recovered and if you have batteries what equipment is needed.

I do have a couple of controllers/inverters from the previous forums parent company, bought in the close down sale and the delivery was moe than the cost.

Thanks Roger

[Stinsy]

Without batteries, you won’t get much benefit from additional solar when the sun is shining because you probably struggle to use what you’re already generating. With FiT people didn’t care about using the power, they got so much money for generating it, any power they actually used was a nice-to-have. Now it is all about “self consumption”. And batteries are the best way to achieve that.

You need a few things:

1) Solar panels. What are the dimensions of your roof? Choosing the right size panels can help get more kWp up there.

2) A hybrid inverter. This connects to the panels, the batteries, and the mains and shifts the power about accordingly.

3) Batteries. Pylontech batteries are so cheap, so reliable, and so available that I wouldn’t bother thinking about anything else.

Have a look at ITS (https://www.itstechnologies.shop/) for bits…

[Petertc]

I can vouch for ITS. I was wary as their prices seemed to good to be true.
But everything was fine.

[Joeboy]

I can vouch for ITS. I was wary as their prices seemed to good to be true.
But everything was fine.

Same here, bought a load of JA panels from them and at least 1 pylontech.

[marshman]

As you get FiT payment on your existing 4kW system you addition system will have to be AC coupled - i.e. separate so as not to affect your Total Generation Meter. You will also need to get DNO approval - there is now a "Fast Track" application process for small scale storage provided both existing and "new" battery storage systems are 3.68kWpk each or less (I think that is the limit). The new equipment will also have to comply with the latest regs. i.e. G98/G99 & maybe G100 (I think that is correct others will know for sure), so your inverters from the previous place may not be acceptable to the DNO, check before going too far.

[nowty]

As you get FiT payment on your existing 4kW system you addition system will have to be AC coupled - i.e. separate so as not to affect your Total Generation Meter. You will also need to get DNO approval - there is now a "Fast Track" application process for small scale storage provided both existing and "new" battery storage systems are 3.68kWpk each or less (I think that is the limit). The new equipment will also have to comply with the latest regs. i.e. G98/G99 & maybe G100 (I think that is correct others will know for sure), so your inverters from the previous place may not be acceptable to the DNO, check before going too far.

For the fast track G99 process, G100 is mandatory which is for limiting any total export to 3.68kW output to the grid. The original FIT inverter can be G83 but any new equipment added needs to be the new G98 or G99 standard.

Unfortunately when us fortunate folk are on the FITs, it gets difficult to add additional capacity as the original FIT system generally needs to be left well alone.

If your doing it DIY, the simplest way is add something like a Sofar ME3000SP 3kw AC coupled battery inverter with a stack of Pylontech batteries. The unit is G98 and inherently G100 compliant as they are zero export devices. Then you can add panels via a Victron charge controller (or similar like Joyboy) and "T" in to the Pylontech battery stack. If doing it this way and doing it legit by contacting the DNO, then don't complicate matters with the DNO by mentioning the additional solar panels or the charge controller as the DC side is irrelevant to them and can be added later legally without any further DNO notification.

Another way is a hybrid inverter (like stinsy says) with solar panels and batteries. But the unit will need export control which may need to be zero export but I have no experience with these units, especially in setting them up to work alongside an existing FIT system.

[Joeboy]

Joyboy!!!! Pmsl

Sorry, I'll get my coat.

[nowty]

Joyboy!!!! Pmsl

Sorry, I'll get my coat.

Sorry, truly a typo, I usually re-read my posts and edit them but did not notice that one.

Even more embarrassingly as the "y" key is not next the "e" key.

[Joeboy]

Joyboy!!!! Pmsl

Sorry, I'll get my coat.

Sorry, truly a typo, I usually re-read my posts and edit them but did not notice that one.

Even more embarrassingly as the "y" key is not next the "e" key.

Went to sleep laughing and woke up to the same reading this.