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An extra inverter on top of an exiting 4kw unit would need a G99. Might be easier to let your FIT payer know about the extension as thats just a phone call/email??

At 13 degrees your roof will likely be below the level where the panels are self cleaning so you'd probably get best results by setting up an automatic cleaning system that sprays them once a week. You can change out the panels if you want but you'll likely need to extend the mounting rails so factor that in. If the total generation capacity goes over the FIT registered capacity you need to let your FIT payer know and they'll pay you the proportion of generation attributable to the original capacity only. You won't get FIT payments for the extension!

Be careful. A FIT system is registered with the design power. If you add to it, there is a complex way of declaring the addition and only a portion of what is generated is then paid. You could add extra panels and another inverter that is completely separate to the existing system, the procedure for that is a lot less complicated.

Parts need replacing when they break down, what’s stopping you “repairing” your system with modern components.

We have a bungalow with a large shallow roof, with 21 x 195w panels from 15 years ago. I'm up on the roof in a regular basis gutters, Christmas lights,cleaning panels etc etc. We are also on an early tariff at 85p/KW rough FIT from memory. We also have a 4kw PV inverter. I was thinking, how hard would it be to replace 2 panel's with brand new 450w ish ones to up our output without incurring excessive up front cost? I recon I could fit 2 new ones and still be within the 4kw limit, with just how old and inefficient the existing panels are and the fact it's a 13degree roof so sub optimal? Even in the very best generation days in the last few years I've never seen a generation of more then 1.8kw peak. Any thoughts? Thanks

Thanks Nick that makes sense, (Though I still prefer to avoid the rubber bungs just because I have had mutiple blockages and back ups. I'd guess likely 95% of people never ever have a blocked drain or backup in their lives. And it is not just me, but also my neighbour that can/has blocked my drain, and I am downhill from him.) With the plumbers I have had it always seems to be impossible to have a conversation and get a shared agreement - before you know it they have gone off and done something and just missed out the planning stage altogether, and then you look at it thinking oh dear, why have you just put loads of elbows in and strangled my water flow or whatever.

And they deliver. Been using the one down the road for 20+ years, always great price / value, and stuff is usually in stock.

Is it cool in summer?

Thanks for the various suggestions, I'll check them out…

+1 for Superlec, and internet-electrical are good for Fusebox CUs.

Worth insulating then to some extent. Bubblewrap to the structure and pipe insulation.

TLC for me too, unless I need hands-or -eyes-on. The prices are best of near to best. And heavy cable is by the m and saves waste. I think that SF and TS charge as much as they can, relying on just in time purchases on the way to the job. If it's not in stock that is a big failure in my opinion. And the likes of City Electrical charge as much as they can, relying on their trade clients using the credit account for cashflow. My most recent order from TLC was downlighters based on BH advice. Ordered one evening, arrived next morning in their own marked van. That service deserves repeat orders.

My house, 1970 build (Cork) has I'M fairly sure, Hydrodare very heavy walled piping, I found a bit lying about a few years ago and it measured 21mm OD x 11MM ID, that 11mm ID seems a bit strange since we use imperial pipe sizing, its ID is certainly not 1/2", (12.7mm).

It's not a gift. It's part of the value of the home. Sure there are buyers out there that don't value it, but plenty do and the number that do value it will only go up as EVs become dominant. If you hold on to your property for 5 years, the odds are the buyer in 5 years will have an EV/PHEV or be actively planning to get one so they will see the value. In the meantime before you sell, having a charger already installed means that it's available for guests and also lowers the bar next time you replace your car and unless you are a committed petrolhead then EVs are likely to be the best choice when you do so. (As I said earlier the rate of improvement and cost reduction in EVs means that the reasons not to get an EV are vanishing fast). I get the argument that compared to other costly building regs requirements that we may not personally care about (of which there are many) that EV chargers are very easy to retrofit once the wiring is in place and therefore shouldn't be mandated. But rules are inevitably compromises and it's better to have a simple rule that says 'new builds must have car chargers' than to say 'all new builds that will be sold within 5 years, rented out or can reasonably be expected to need to accomodate an EV within 5 years must have chargers'. There are alternative ways to get to the same result but I'd guess they are all much more intrusive and costly.

Lamplec for my Fusebox consumer units generally. TLC for most other bits.

I have rarely had to go anywhere else.

Screwfix, Toolstation CPC and TLC-Direct for me. Published pricing so you know what you are getting and can check stock on line if collecting or get it delivered. I gave up with "wholesalers" long ago due to random (not published) pricing, very often more expensive than the above, and often poor stock levels.

We have already had the samples taken and the water analysed. The external plant rooms has to be heated above freezing.

That makes sense😁

Not used them before, but there is a Yesss Electrical local to me, any feedback on them?

Our bungalow, in Cornwall though, was replumbed in the 70s using black alkathene pipe, which I am in the process of replacing.

I used a local branch of national chain, handy to get additional supplies as the installation progresses and take back what you don’t use. I mail ordered a lot of other stuff but electrical components need to be available to avoid holding up electrician, or losing him to another job. Do check prices are reasonably competitive but availability is sometimes more important.

Spanish mate says Inspect annually or replace Don't put behind a wally willy

No that's an inaccurate assumption. I knew from the outset that an EV charger was required. My sparky did indeed run a suitable cable from the consumer unit out to an outside wall. This was part of his overall fee of course. This also happens to be the part of the EV installation requirement that i believe is reasonable to be mandated for the potential benefit of whoever may come after me. It still leaves almost £600 for the unit itself which i maintain is not reasonable as a gift to someone else.

This is Spain. There's a sticker on each pipe but don't know what it says...everything easy to get to