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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

It's not just about points 3 and 4, but if you can cover the points below you could be OK. I have been my own PD. https://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/documents/d/guest/guide-to-dutyholders-designer says: Competence: To satisfy the requirements and carry out any design work as the designer or principal designer, a person or organisation must: - − have the relevant skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours necessary to undertake the function. − carry out the design work in accordance with all relevant requirements. − provide adequate supervision to those in training within the design role whilst carrying out the work and ensure that those under supervision are not appointed as principal designers. − consider that an individual wishing to designate themselves as a principal designer within an organisation must take all reasonable steps to satisfy themself that they have the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours necessary to manage the function of principal designer.

I just filled in the name of the designer so that'll be architect (2) and the name of the contractor, signed the form myself and sent it back. Didn't hear anything else until the completion certificate dropped through the post.

We bought a Dolle Arundel straight staircase. Steeper than standard stairs as it’s a space saver, but quickly got used to it and it was sturdy/ had a hand rail. Passed it on once we were done to another self builder nearby. It was up for 18 months so well worth it to us.

I want to add some more PV panels to my system. The ones I have all face south with no shade The panels I want to add will face east and west. What sort of panels can if fit to the two separate rings I already have without losing power from the existing ones?

I’m sure the chrome cap will prize off. You may have to soak in viacal or similar and work your fingernails under it, but I would be very surprised if you didn’t find a grub screw under the cap.

https://www.concrete.org.uk/fingertips/non-ferrous-metals-in-concrete/

I’ve spent part of today going through the details of both systems, not including cost. So thats useful info Nick, thank you.

How do they get any work at those prices? I knew they were expensive but that's mad

Ha, I received an £18k quote from Jaga and thankfully today a £3.2k from Clivet from the same brief! So think Clivet would be a winner G and J.

I just signed the completion certificate myself

anything to reflect will probably help and yes outside - but better to stop sun hitting glass at all. Brise soleil can take many forms. if only temporary a cheap gazebo outside maybe? but may be worth looking at something more permanent if solar gain in these heatwaves is an issue.

Can anyone provide some guidance here as I read a post on FB about someone unable to get a completion certificate as their architect was unwilling to sign off as principal designer (no idea what that means). In a nutshell, we did the following. 1) Architect A did planning drawings and secured us planning. 2) Technical Architect B did building reg drawings and submitted them to planning. 3) LABC signed off the drawings and gave us an inspection schedule. 4) Warranty provider has also given us their inspection schedule. I thought that so long as we satisfy 3&4 then we'll get a completion certificate and everything is fine. But I think that maybe I've missed something crucial?

Need to temporarily stop the solar gain throught my bifolds to keep the temperature of the floor down while LVT is laid. Looking at window film ? Wouldn't it best to put this on the outside though ? Silver side outwards ?

OK thanks. Googling and AI seem to give conflicting statements some saying it may corrode the pipe other saying it will be ok. But best not to take the risk. I will chisel it clear, maybe the LVT could be laid up to it without a collar ? On the other hand maybe a plastic chrome look pipe cover and collar will look tidy.

Did you find the valuations were sufficient to progress your build? my only concern is they deem the valuation lower then the funds needed to progress to next stage