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Thanks. To elaborate am I trying to just get the central chrome bit out leaving the blue plastic ring behind? I have tried a thin knife blade, perhaps I just need to push harder but I would OH would like to avoid cosmetic damage. The action doesn't feel like a cartridge, more like an old-fashioned washer. In any event it goes round multiple turns. Unfortunately I can't easily change it. The plastic backnut split in two as stupidly I had not swapped it for a brass one so there is now a lash-up holding the tap down hence the broken packing round the base. The whole sink cupboard unit was pre-assembled and then fitted in its final position and a tiled splashback installed above. I don't think there is clearance to change the tap without reversing some of this.

If you make it easily put up-able and take down-able it shouldn’t be a massive issue. Big heat (strong sun) normally coincides with high pressure which normally coincides with slack wind. At least that used to be the norm.

Indeed, although we did have thoughts about putting hooks into the overhang fascia and having a triangular shade sail. Might be a pain if a wind gets up though ?

ok. I used some chrome colour pipe sleeves in the bathroom which seem to be doing ok.

If it’s just temporary then an old sheet will do, anything that will stop the sun hitting the glass will do. Long term, the sheet is probably not the best option.

What about using radiator foil/insulation such as this ? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radiator-Foil-Reflector-Roll-Metres/dp/B0FHX24FP8/ref=asc_df_B0FHX24FP8?mcid=105a35c7f1383e838b6a3496fbcbce8b&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=768395591032&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18110053046630382234&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006502&hvtargid=pla-2439067162462&psc=1&hvocijid=18110053046630382234-B0FHX24FP8-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1 (I think any permanent solution will mean looking up what glass we had in the bifolds and rooflights. I thought it was UV limiting but really can't remember. We havn't got our electric roller blinds in yet and not sure how much effect they will have.)

Kinda conflicts with all the perforated, leaking copper heating pipes I have dug out over the years. There are loads of different laminate floor suppliers offering different finishes over solid wood or MDF, so you'll get something to match the LVT. DON'T use the chrome plastic collars as the chrome wears off with even just mopping etc.

Pay your carpenter to make some out of basic materials, simples; but make them strong as they'll be in for some use / abuse.

Same we do on every job. Plenty good enough tbh.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/essentials-pillar-round-head-high-neck-sink-taps-chrome/1045T?tc=ET2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=19822795373&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPxbBfOOgbFQZBDBKKlA-OBpI&gclid=CjwKCAjwu53SBhAhEiwAJzSLNq2b0AkAWVP_gdXS5RH9YqsnjAX9ggTsoc_CrZZqxd6OSvDZs1eQtxoCBFEQAvD_BwE £20 brand new......

Absolute steaming dogshit.... AVOID!!!!!!

I used to have the same taps. As other have said. Small screwdriver to get the cap off, you need to push it into the plastic ring a bit. The, you need a Phillips screwdriver, not a Posidrive to undo the screw. Wiggle the knob off, this can be quite difficult as it can a bit corroded. Then you can get to the cartridge with a spanner. I changed all mine to quarter turn cartridges with lever taps. This was because my one armed lodger had trouble holding a kettle and turning a tap.

No, but others have. Here you go something to read se-ta-efficient-east-west-orientated-pv-systems-wi.pdf

wonder how that comes about? Just can’t imagine it from my own install. Have you done this and observed the output difference?

An option (not saying it's good) is silver foil. Mist spray the glass with water from a sprayer and it will stick perfectly. Just make sure you don't scratch anything.

I didn't until someone here pointed me towards design / install instructions that said you could, so researched further. And indead you can and the output per year is actually better than 2x MPPTs as they run longer at best efficiency point. But strings need to be identical, as in number of panels, mounting angle.

Someone is declaring the property is completed to building regs and all planning drawings. It's a legal document. Any muppet could sign it, so they have asked for the PD to sign, so competent person.

I believe Tesla powerwalls do this, but it’s a hard thing to achieve in the UK as in the event of a power failure, any generation or potential export should turn off or island, and for that reason most don’t operate the whole fuseboard on backup, rather just a backup socket for emergency loads to be plugged into. Maybe someone else knows more about this, but mine certainly doesn’t as an AC coupled. Don’t agree with East and West connecting to same MPPT, my east and west panels are both active in differing amounts simultaneously, and in winter east does far better than west. Either use a separate inverter, or get a triple MPPT one to handle all 3 strings, these are widely available as normal and hybrid. A good question, do you get the feed in tariff? If you do then don’t go hybrid, as it will wipe out a lot of your income.

Ours was made in a couple of hours from 6” x 2” strings and treads and spare battens to support the treads. Stand the strings up in situ, cut a birds mouth at the top and use a level to get the angle right. Saved us hours and hours and no end of energy, as well as being massively safer than ladders.

Hybrid inverter. But they are generally equipped to do limited off grid output. Some makes will do a gateway which will allow the full inverter output in a power cut. Or AC coupled battery with gateway will will allow normal string inverters to work in a power cut. Depends if you already have your battery? All the above depends on what you mean by off grid?

If you have a physical copy of the LABC regs that you refer to for required works, then surely that must satisfy part of the requirement. Still, good to know that I can sign it myself. What is the actual point of the signed document though?

Hi @JohnMo I will come back to this if you don't mind. I need to change my inverter to one that will allow my system to charge batteries, supply to the mains, and go off grid. Is there such a thing?

You just put the new one a different inverter or if your existing inverter has spare MPPT do that, then they can be anything you want. East and west can go on one MPPT (but need to be same panel design, same number of panels and same angle) or 2x MPPT if you want. Do not connect on the same MPPT as your existing South facing, as new panels are very unlikely to match your old ones