Beginner’s solar installation questions

• • #26045 Reply
    
    David Williams

    Guest

    Hi Stuart,
    I spoke briefly on the phone. I don’t think I’m ready for a ‘consultation’ just yet. I was looking to ask for a general view on the following based on installing in summer 2024.
    a) What is the maximum solar we can install without feeding into the grid?
    b) What would be the rough increase in cost of installing on the roof of the house compared with installing on a ‘stand’ in the garden?
    c) Would installing Solar PV and Solar evacuated tubes at the same time result in installation saving or do you simply treat them as two separate systems?

  • #26046 Reply
    
    Stuart

    Guest

    I’m ready when you are:

    A. Why wouldn’t you want to feed surplus to the grid. The UK solar industry worked really hard in the early 2000s to get remuneration payments for self-generators. Payments are a form of offsetting, so you when over producing, those financial benefits you during the winter months.

    B. The cost will be negligible really, as the cost of scaffolding would be about the same cost of the A frame construction of a ground mount. The shorter the wiring distance the better.

    C. An evacuated tube system will cost around three grand, compared to a PV heat converter that costs a few hundred quid.

    Hope this helps.

  • #26225 Reply
    
    Steve

    Guest

    Hi

    I have purchased panels, inverter, battery plus mcbs etc, would you be interested in quoting me to check and do final connection for DNO.

    I will install panels, I won’t need a Warranty.

    I am guessing no, but hey, let’s ask.

    Have a good day.

    • #26226 Reply
      
      Solar Stu

      Keymaster

      Hi Steve

      For DNO, you need a MCS-accreditation to sign-off the paperwork.

      Getting an installer or company to sign-off someone else’s work is unlikely, if not impossible. Installers, only install the systems that they are trained and familiar with, so sorry to say, saving yourself on product/installation costs isn’t straight forward in the solar industry.