Domestic Solar PV Quotes 2022 - No PM requests - See Mod note post #1

Hi Folks,

What's the story with VAT using an SEAI installer.

I know the panels and installation costs are VAT free. Does the installation costs include mounting kits, cable, electrical installation components sich as PV meter, breakers, etc...

What about inverters and batteries, are these subject to VAT??

Any help appreciated.

Thanks deezell, appreciate the response !!

That's wayyyyy off. Maybe look at other options. What roof space have you?

Flat roof is fine. I have panels on one myself. But the sedum roof will die if it's covered over. So sounds like that roof is ruled out.

Tall building? 3 storey or what's the style?

East or West or South orientarion will work. Some here have setups on large shed roofs. Or ground mounted if there is a lot of space. Or even mounted on fences at a push.

So gives us more info here and might see if there is another way to crack the design nut.

"I'm not sure if this is overkill for my usage. Is there any advice people could give me on this?"

the more panels the better. it'll only be in he summer where it could be considered overkill but in the darkest months your array won't produce enough power to cover your needs. the overkill argument is also weakened by the existence of FIT.

I'm about to embark on a similar install, an 8kW array with a 5kW hybrid inverter. The budget may not stretch to a battery but the hybrid is there whenever the budget does stretch.

Understand the ranges on David Hunt calculator are not including any groundworks for ground mounted.

Price I have is ex any groundworks, ducting etc that needs to be laid. I have a neighbour that I can use for the ground works

After grant, price is 13k so thinking will get it all done for 14k

Haven't agreed a final position yet but would be about 20m from ESB meter. Will look to finalize things next week.

System is Solis inverter, Weco battery and 22*jinko panels. Don't know about the ground mount system yet so can't comment on that. Have you had yours in long? I see swings etc.. in the picture, are the panels child proof!?

Went back and forth with the 2 companies and finally went firm with 1 today. 11.76KW array with 28 x 420watt Bifacial panels, Sungrow SH5.0RS Hybrid Inverter and 6.4KW Battery for 15595Euro after grant but no BER included.

When I started looking into solar I registered my interest on several providers sites and gave my details to about six companies at the Ideal Home Show. The sites I registered with sent on generic quotes, when I replied saying that there was a specific inverter and battery system I wanted only one engaged with me. Only one company from the Ideal Home Show touched base with us so in the end we had 2 companies quoting with the specific equipment inverter we wanted. Suppliers seemed reluctant to engage, think it was because I was looking for something they hadnt used before. Hopefully the install goes well and the inverter lives up to expectations.

No mine will be roof mounted. I went for the Sungrow because of its oversize capacity,it has a 240% capacity so it can handle 12Kw of DC. So if it works as described then it could handle converting 5Kw into AC to cover our use and divert up to 7KW DC into the battery at the same time if I was producing 12KW. There are DC coupled home EV chargers being launched next year (Entelligent and SolarEdge) so the inverter can divert DC to the charger while covering the AC demands of the house. The inverter also has built in blackout cover which is classed as UPS as opposed to EPS due to it only taking 20 milliseconds to kick in.

When I get EWI I'll be looking at a DC coupled Heat Pump, so in theory if i have a DC coupled charger and heat pump I can run these without affecting the AC required for the house. All the literature I've read and reviews I've watched said this is how it operates and have been very complimentary on its abilities and relaibility.

You’re slightly above the 600V MPPT max voltage limit of that inverter with 14 panels per string; and a fair bit above the operational max of 560v. But perhaps you’re already fully aware of this.

No you had it spot on. Max panel output voltage * number of panels in the string.

I didn’t know exactly which panel you had; but I guessed 43.5v per panel.

your immediately gonna be out of warranty if you knowingly exceed the max MPPT input voltage. You will be out of luck if you try to claim on the warranty. If the installer is willing to stand over this it’s fine; but I would get that confirmed in advance.

personally I would email the manufacturer and see what they say.

HotSwap and deezell, thanks very much for the info and guidance, it's very much appreciated.

I emailed the company at 8 this morning to clarify the situation, I do remember from when googling the panels that the voltage is in the 30's, 31 or 2 for rated voltage and 36 or 7 for open circuit voltage. Used the bigger number and multiplied by 28 which exceeded the 600 limit of the inverter.

Do you have the exact make and model of the panels so we arnt guessing.

data sheet for your panels: https://www.solartradesales.co.uk/Cache/Downloads/420Watt-DracoSeries-without-Logo.pdf

30.01 V under normal operating conditions so 30x28 is 840v.

My Huawei 6kw has a total system voltage of 600V also. And I have 2 x 9 panel strings which puts me at just under 300V per string:

But it’s a question for the manufacturer really. No point in guessing if it’s per MPPT or system wide.

Didnt know about bi facial panels. Do you have any idea what the approx cost per panel is for bi facial Vs similar 'normal' panel?

I'm going with Sungrows HV modular battery system, it comes in 3.2kw modules.

Thanks for the PDF HotSwap, I emailed Sungrow directly and attached the PDF.

I hope your right graememk that it's 600, it seems only logical with the points you've made.