Dillsue

Google FIT Guidance for Generators and look at the section on alterations- that's the OFGEM guidance which is the horses mouth

If you swap out the panels like for like ie remove 12kwp and install 12kwp then you don't need to notify anyone. Its only if you change the capacity that you need to notify your FIT payer. If you don't think your array is generating correctly you probably want to investigate that rather than shelling out for a new set of panels. Our FIT system from 2015 is still generating like new.

Your DNO always needs to know about generating equipment connected to the grid, no matter the system size For PV, if its under 3.68kw max export to the grid and you're using a type approved inverter, notify them after installation using a G98 notification. If its over 3.68kw max export, you need to get your DNOs permission before you connect using a G99 application.

Can't your spark size the cable for you? He's gonna be signing off the install so getting him to spec the cable should minimise any problems.

Nope. Just adding balance to some of the stuff your saying

I think so too, but they could also be any UV stable cable tie wrapped to a length of fencing wire. Or run inside some 20mm conduit tie wrapped to the wire. Lots of different options

Doing 'your thing' is great but you're in somewhat of a niche and, in my opinion have some fairly extreme views, like suggesting manufacturers techs would maliciously access your inverter. I've got personal reasons for countering much of what you've said to hopefully add some balance to your post, so hopefully you'll understand my persistence. It's a public forum and people are influenced by stand out statements. Hope you find the optimiser data buried somewhere in the Modbus info.

Overhead cables are used the world over so no reason you can't use them, if they are supported properly. Our supply is overhead for miles.

When you didn't know about Apples con, did you worry about it. Probably not, so not worth worrying IF inverter manufacturers are going to start charging to run their inverters some time in the future, if ever. You don't know they have a kill switch as you said they wouldn't tell you anything. Could just as easily been a bug that manifested itself after multiple power cycles and is now reset on your system but remotely fixed for all those with connected inverters. Energy Bank is relatively new, as you've acknowledged, so quite realistic to still have the odd glitch. If your inverter had been sat on a shelf for 6 months and SE had fixed bugs in that 6 months, you'd be nuts not to bring the inverter software up to date. No internet is required for inverter update as the update comes from SetApp which can be updated remote from the inverter. Optimiser data can be read, but not logged, from SetApp diagnostics again without an internet connection. If you want to log it maybe it's accessible via the Modbus interface?

I thought it was just the panels that carried the MCS certification?

Not sure of your set up but if your using unistrut why not fix your panels directly to the unistrut using M8 chanel nuts(zebs) and any panel clamp using an M8 bolt.

If post sales charging becomes a thing, then that's something to consider in the future but for now its seemingly irrelevant now as no-one so far has identified an inverter that needs an internet connection to run, let alone have to pay to run it. Are there any indicators that's going to change, for PV inverters?

I don't think like that at all. I think it's 100% possible that a determined hacker could get into my inverter. I also think its 99.99999% probable that they won't(more 9s are needed but youll get the point). The consequences of them getting into it are low/med as worse case I might have to buy a new inverter. Overall risk is low. The nats nudger of risk isnt worth doing anything about, for a PV inverter.

The topic is about PV inverters so no personal data, no banking details, pics of the wife etc etc. If someone hacks your inverter just disconnect it from the internet, reset to defaults and fire it up again. Fret about all the other connected stuff if you want but I don't think your inverter being hacked is worthy of any worry In terms of avoiding future charging, just don't buy an inverter that needs an internet connection to run. Seems that there's likely none out there that do need a connection so I can't see any post sales charging being "just round the corner"

As I've said previously, my HD wave inverter installed last year had no WiFi aerial for months so no connection to the internet when it was set up. You have to remember that not everyone has an internet connection and theres no/poor mobile data in lots of places, so insisting on an internet connection to set up an inverter seems a daft thing to do. Not saying it's not the case, but seems a commercially daft thing to do. Not sure what you mean by control "plane" but I assume you mean an App/GUI/HMI?? If there's none available that's because there's not enough demand and that's likely because most people are happy with current internet offerings and Apps. I'm not sure how many domestic inverters suffer cyber attacks but I'd imagine globally it's zero or insignificant so you might be being overly concerned with the risk of having your inverter online??

In terms of PV inverters needing to be internet connected, everyone who's commented says their inverter runs, or believes will run, without an internet connection. Theres about half a dozen mainstream manufacturers been stated not to need an internet connection to run so not sure why you're thinking otherwise??

I'm not sure how long it took SolarEdge to respond and remedy the OPs problem but in my experience they provide a very fast response. When an optimiser failed they remotely diagnosed the problem and dispatched a replacement in a day

FIT ended in 2019 and was replaced with SEG that for suppliers over a certain size must pay at a pittance of a rate-5-7p/unit. Both government backed and regulated schemes Octopus offer their own export tariff at 15p/unit, but that can end at anytime as its neither FIT or SEG so no government backing. Loss of that rate is worth considering when calculating battery payback.

Number 1 happens anyway through obsolescence even with a fully functioning manufacturer-spares dry up followed by support a few years later. Lack of spares/support being an issue needs the manufacturer to go bump, no one to take over their business, premature failure and a lack of non OEM parts/secondhand parts. I'm not sure how often number 2 happens that can't be reset with a reset to factory defaults or software reinstallation. I'm not saying it doesn't happen but a manufacturer would soon be struggling with sales if that was actually the case. I appreciate a few people want to be totally independent in looking after their tech but I think for the majority the risks you've identified are low, certainly for me they are. The other thing to consider in not having an internet connection for your inverter is that you loose the possibility for your inverter to send diagnostic info to the manufacturer. This would help them debug and maybe covertly install fixes. Maybe your fault is happening with all Energy Bank systems but those connected to the Internet are getting covertly reset whilst SE work on a fix?? Not saying this happening but it seems plausible to me??

I think we pretty much align ourselves with EU requirements or we'd not be able to sell them anything?? No idea if we have the right to repair but that right likely evaporates if a manufacturer goes bump??

Not sure you'll find a PV inverter from a company with 100% imunity from bankruptcy. You might find a company that's very open with their designs/in depth configuration so you can fault find to the level you want but realistically your likely stuck needing occasional manufacturer support.

I guessing that if you'd disconnected the battery and reconfigured the inverter to remove the battery, it would have fired up. May have needed re setting to factory defaults?? If they go bust youre likely on your own- its same as any company hitting the wall. You'd never buy anything with tech if bancrupcy is a buying blocker

Stopping generation due to faulty peripheral kit doesn't seem such a good idea! We have an HD wave inverter with an unused integrated EV charger that had the comms disconnected so the inverter saw the charger as faulty but the inverter continued to run as normal, other than showing the charger fault. Shame they weren't more open about the reasons for the lockout and the fix for it

Very creative. I'll run with that if I ever get asked about ours

Did you or they do a software update? Intrigued to know if was a known bug or you'd discovered a new scenario. They'd be shooting themselves in the foot if they intentionally installed a "lock" that only they could unlock.