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Solar PV Hints, Tips & Troubleshooting

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    #4502
    graememk
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,121 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122360792#Comment_122360792

    Zappi should be able to work without the solar CT. As all it needs is the grid as it's monitoring export.

    Having a solar CT is nice, but not required.



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    #4503
    Hurrache
    Registered Users Posts: 10,233 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    Ok, so I've the standard set up I suppose you could say in terms of EV functionality, correct?

    And solar inclusion is a nice to have as you have a better overview of everything going on, otherwise you just see what the charger is using and what the home is drawing from or feeding to the grid, and it's generally optional?



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    #4504
    graememk
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,121 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122361122#Comment_122361122

    Yeah you'll just see what's coming or going to the grid.

    To see actual house use, you'll need the solar CT.



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    #4505
    Hurrache
    Registered Users Posts: 10,233 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    Cool, thanks for the clarification.



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    #4506
    Padre_Pio
    Registered Users Posts: 5,216 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    Are there many resources for mounting inverter and battery on the exterior of your house?

    My attic is converted so there's no space, and Im not too comfortable putting a battery inside. I started looking at electrical cabinets and maybe adding insulation and a small heater if necessary.



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    #4507
    championc
    Registered Users Posts: 6,147 ✭✭✭championc


    The majority of kit is IP65 rated. So it will happily go on an outside wall without any cabinets or heaters. Might need to be somewhat sheltered

    Some battery units would not be suitable for outdoor installation - the type that go into a rack.



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    #4508
    Dozz
    Registered Users Posts: 414 ✭✭Dozz


    Hi.

    I was wondering if anyone can help or point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

    How can I set my Solis inverter up to dump any battery excess to the grid by 2 am in order for me to charge it between 2&6 am?

    Am on the Energia EV plan.

    Thanks



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    #4509
    Padre_Pio
    Registered Users Posts: 5,216 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    nvm



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    #4510
    championc
    Registered Users Posts: 6,147 ✭✭✭championc


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122362508#Comment_122362508

    You need automation.

    You need the inverter to be controllable by Home Assistant. Home Assistant would have to be able to change the operating modes.

    I don't know if this is possible or how easy it is with a Solis. It is certainly easier with a Sofar



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    #4511
    mjatkey
    Registered Users Posts: 122 ✭✭mjatkey


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122362508#Comment_122362508

    Hi, apply for inverter control on Solis website, this allows you to remote change the basic settings on the inverter including charge and dis-charge times.

    image.png

    So ours charges batteries 2-6 Energia EV window, then discharges from 10.30 to just before 2am.

    So far works well.

    image.png

    Oh and you can change charge and dis-charge current, I've not needed to change either of those.

    🌞 6.96kWp PV System. West Dublin🌞



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    #4512
    The devils
    Registered Users Posts: 524 ✭✭✭The devils


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122361265#Comment_122361265
    17207071846802604048429518662543.jpg

    This is my one



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    #4513
    Padre_Pio
    Registered Users Posts: 5,216 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    Another maybe silly question, I have a large featureless space on a South facing vertical wall, maybe 4m x 3m.

    I saw examples of solar fences, any idea what the difference is between vertical panels and those at the ideal 35 or 40 degree tilt?



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    #4514
    bullit_dodger
    Registered Users Posts: 2,532 ✭✭✭bullit_dodger


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122377194#Comment_122377194

    Just bang in 1kwp as the size, pick where you are in the country on the map with your mouse, and then see how much you get with 40deg and compare to 0 deg slope.

    https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/



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    #4515
    Bobeagleburger
    Registered Users Posts: 45,520 ✭✭✭✭Bobeagleburger


    How low of a percentage can Solis batteries be used to? I'm assuming zero but maybe that's an incorrect assumption.



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    #4516
    tommythecat
    Registered Users Posts: 722 ✭✭✭tommythecat


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122378573#Comment_122378573

    Well a solis inverter won't let you drop below 4%. I have a weco which is good for a 100% discharge but I can only use 96% of it.

    4kwp South East facing PV System. 5.3kwh Weco battery. South Dublin City.



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    #4517
    CoBo55
    Registered Users Posts: 9,137 ✭✭✭CoBo55


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122416916#Comment_122416916

    Are all 17 panels producing at the same time? You won't get 7kw with a 5kw inverter you'll suffer from what's called clipping. If you have a battery you can run the house from it in the night and charge it during the day.



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    #4518
    bilasy
    Registered Users Posts: 162 ✭✭bilasy


    need a bit of advice, I recently (last Friday )installed 17 panels 430 each, would it be right to assume that the system could generate in or around 7KW in a day provided all conditions are met?

    I’m only getting a maximum of 5.3 KW ?

    The inverter is 5KW as well



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    #4519
    deezell
    Registered Users Posts: 6,775 ✭✭✭deezell


    The inverter is limited to 5KW input to the grid. Panels will have a peak available output output of 7.3 Kw, in ideal conditions. The inverter can only harness 5KW, with a bit of headroom up to 5.3. Unless you have batteries that can take panel excess, or a hybrid inverter with an off grid branch circuit, you'll miss out on the extra 2KW during the peak window (clear, sunny, midday, summer). The advantage of oversizing is you'll maintain the grid maximum for a longer period.



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    #4520
    championc
    Registered Users Posts: 6,147 ✭✭✭championc


    Look at your Data. Look at the DC voltage for EACH of PV1 and PV2. It sounds like one string could be dead



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    #4521
    bilasy
    Registered Users Posts: 162 ✭✭bilasy


    I think I mixed up the 7310 KWP figure but that doesn’t necessarily generate 7KWHr am I right?



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    #4522
    graememk
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,121 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122416957#Comment_122416957

    The max the inverter can output (to the house) is 5kW.
    Do you have a battery? You may be able to get a bit more output if the battery is empty



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    #4523
    bilasy
    Registered Users Posts: 162 ✭✭bilasy


    no battery , exporting yo the grid , so if my panels are 7310KWP how much KWHr they are expected to generate?



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    #4524
    graememk
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,121 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122417806#Comment_122417806

    Well it's 7.31kWp

    While there will be a bit of clipping it's only on the perfect days

    On average this website is pretty spot on

    https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/#PVP



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    #4525
    System
    Administrators Posts: 376 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭System


    This discussion was created from comments split from: Domestic Solar PV Quotes 2024 - No PM requests - See Mod note post #1.


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    #4526
    bilasy
    Registered Users Posts: 162 ✭✭bilasy


    I don’t know how to use it



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    #4527
    Bobeagleburger
    Registered Users Posts: 45,520 ✭✭✭✭Bobeagleburger


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122416957#Comment_122416957

    Don't worry about it. An array that size will serve you well in the winter months.



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    #4528
    championc
    Registered Users Posts: 6,147 ✭✭✭championc


    Don't confuse kW's and kWh's.

    KW is your output at any particular moment

    KWh is your total generation for a period of time.

    So what was your kWh for today ? What was your highest kW during today ?



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    #4529
    graememk
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,121 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122417975#Comment_122417975

    A very rough estimate would be 5500-6000kWh/ year.

    Website isn't too bad, click on the map where you are, put in your kWp, and also the direction and slope of your panels.



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    #4530
    bilasy
    Registered Users Posts: 162 ✭✭bilasy


    Hi, thanks for your reply

    So far today it produced 17 KWH maybe will hit 20 before it’s dark but I’m not sure

    Highest KW achieved since today is 5.42 KW

    Thanks again



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    #4531
    idc
    Registered Users Posts: 569 ✭✭✭idc


    Father in law recently got Solis inverter. Can see on basic info page price is set at 0 euro/kWh. How can i change this? Or is this tied to installer and only he can set info like that?



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