Ronski

I became aware recently, so at some point I may replace my existing panels, and split it into two strings, with the second string on my Victron system. I'm currently DIY adding a Victron system to my garage, but the electrician is going to do the 240v work. Strictly speaking you do not need MCS to get paid for exports, there are other 'bodies' that can check/approve, I can't remember the details but I think I may have a link saved at home. The main problem is just about everyone thinks you do need MCS, but those of us with existing MCS systems I can't see it being a problem. I'm also fitting batteries, which means I should not use any grid power between March and September roughly, and we can charge the batteries off peak in the winter months greatly reducing our electricity costs. I'm still on 50% deemed export for my FITS system, not sure yet if we'll change from that, will need to crunch some numbers once the additional system is added. PS I don't think it's a good idea mixing different panels with different ratings on the same string, even with optimisers.

I've got an ET112 meter in the under stairs cupboard, then about 20 meters of external Cat5 which runs through 20mm water pipe to our detached garage to an RS485 to USB adapter, and that works perfectly. No need for a draw string just fed two cat5e cables down the pipe together.

Ah that makes sense now, bi-directional car charger (presuming the car supports that) - forgot about that one (no mention of cars in this thread).

Same here, best year so far since install in late 2015. We've had a really bad November, so this has surprised me.

As others have said, and even your assessor has said - see part in bold above in the quoted email.

I think you may be confusing terminology/poor understanding of things, not quite sure what you mean by bi-directional? If referring to batteries, well all solar storage batteries are bi-directional, they charge and they discharge. If adding batteries later it would have been a more simple system to use a single hybrid inverter, with a hybrid inverter the batteries are connected directly to the inverter by DC. Using two hybrid inverters each with its own battery complicates things, but depending on the system it could work perfectly well, and may even have benefits. It sounds like your later going to add an AC connected battery, this has its own inverter/charger, it will monitor what you are drawing from the grid, and will either charge or discharge the battery depending on that. One complication is you'd need to check with DNO, as AC connected batteries add to the theoretical maximum export.

I used Superelec and CEF for my cables, ordered last Thursday and received both on Monday.

Thanks, I'll get four, they'll then be on hand should the electrician need four.

@SteamyTeaThanks, but do I need two isolators or four? I'm thinking four, if installed between the panels and the solar combiner boxes, or two if between combiner and MPPT. I'm using a 48v Victron system, SCC will be two SmartSolar MPPT 150/45.

I've got a 12 panel array, as per picture below. this will be wired up as 2P3S (if I've got the terminology correct), so each 3 panels facing west will be a series string, then those two strings paralleled up in an internal combiner box with individual fuses for each 3 panels and DC MCB. Same for the two east facing strings. My electrician says I need to fit a DC isolator for each string, so will that be four DC isolators? Was thinking I could use two 4 pole isolators but given the quote above, it seems not. Are they supposed to be externally fitted or is internally in the garage acceptable. I will check with the electrician, but it can take him days to reply, and unless I get lucky he doesn't answer the phone.

I couldn't find the minimum installation angle, until I stumbled across it in the JA Solar installation manual, section 4.2 tilt angle. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.jasolar.com/uploadfile/2019/0129/20190129030921131.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjJ1bOy_bn6AhUJB8AKHXLRDrQQFnoECBUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0UQGhaq4Yom726WScCE8_o

Minimum recommended angle is 10 degrees so the panels can self clean when it rains, this is stated in one of the solar panel manufacturers install guide.

Does anybody know of a good place to buy tinned copper busbar for a battery rack I'm building? Going to need four lengths, two about a meter long, other two about 500mm long.

Actually voltages will be at there highest when there is the least load, so between midnight and five. It has to be via cable connection for the CT clamp for an inverter, WiFi connection is not permitted. PS I just put in 25mm SWA to my garage, a distance of about 20 meters, simply because I wanted minimal voltage drop for the solar array and battery system, and the whole house will also be running through it.

I have a 4kw system installed in 2015, which has pretty much paid for itself, although if you take FITS out of the equation it will have a long time to go, although with current prices it'll be a lot sooner.

That's good news, does that mean they can issue and register MCS certificates?

@BenP Good direction to branch out in, sounds perfect, thank you.

@Dillsue Thanks, I'd previously found EnergyStore2 on eBay, is that the one you mean?

@SolarexploitsG99 form attached for UK Power Networks @Dillsue Can you let me know which company that is please - I did find one on Ebay advertising the option of MCS sign off for £345. I already have an MCS system installed some years ago, so wonder if I can get away with that when I add an additional array and batteries. I think the export payments will increase as the market matures - there's already rumblings in the main stream press regarding the low amount most are paid. g99-form-a1.1.docx

I've just done a G99 application with UK Power Networks, it was all very straight forward. I'm at work otherwise I'd attach the form. If your only installing 3680w of generation (inverter rating), then you only need to notify after installation within 30 days with G98. If more than 3.68kw then you need to fill in form G99 before you install, once approved you get six months to install, but you have to notify them within 30 days of commissioning. The one thing that worries me is what's going to happen to export prices in the future, if they go up, which I think they will , then without an MCS install we could lose out. I already have an MCS install so wonder if I'd be OK when I self install another array.

Just noticed in my DNO approval there is a zero in brackets, when I put the G99 application in it was for 5kw PV inverter and 4.4kw AC connected battery, here's what the letter states. Any idea what the 0 in brackets means? Since sending in the application my system design has changed, I'm now going to have a single inverter with DC connected batteries, total inverter power will be either 6400w or 8000w. Since both are lower than the combined 5+4.4 is the G99 still valid?

I've just had a G99 DNO approval for additional 5kW PV & 4.4(0)kW Battery, no fee required, DNO is UK Power Networks.

I'm in Broadstairs and likely going DIY route, is your chap a qualified electrician and can he sign off on part P? Where's is he based, perhaps you could let me have his details please? Question for the others, I already have an MCS install I earn fits with, if adding another non MCS install will I be able to get export payments from both?

@Roger440 Sure, here you go https://www.youtube.com/c/OffGridGarageAustralia/videos

I've had approval from the DNO for an additional 9.4kw export, making a total export of 13.08 kw including the existing system.