gc100

Thanks . Did you run the cabling down the roof or through?

Thanks folks. @Russdl Do you have a photo you won't mind sharing? @gilesm From my readings they are designed to withstand high temperatures so in theory should be ok. I wonder if the continuous flex/vibrations from the campervan don't help? I also wonder about who is manufacturing them - I see loads and loads of the campervan types for sale on that well know Chinese market. I'm looking at US or Uk manufacture companies at the moment. Still its a lot of money for an unknown either way I cut it.

I've found someone selling the Uni-Solar. Unfortunately they come in 5.3m length which is too long ( I need about 4.5 max)! https://www.renugen.co.uk/unisolar-pvl-136-136w-laminate-solar-panel/ Bipvco seem to have a product. I will call them tomorrow as well. https://bipvco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/FLEXTRON_Datasheet_v3.pdf Thanks both for the pointers, very useful.

Ah many thanks. Unfortunately we're going zinc as well. I might give them a call to see if they have any new options. What did you do for PV in the end? Standard panels and clams on the seams?

Ah yes I was looking at them, but I'm struggling as well to find any Uk suppliers. There are a couple of other US makes who seems more geared up for this, but again I'm struggling to find any Uk distributors. Thanks Ah found them: https://alwitra.de/en/your-alwitra-contacts/ I'll contact them and see where it leads. Evalon Solar cSI system

Ah interesting. All I'm finding at the moment are panels like this: https://midsummerenergy.co.uk/pdfs/flex-03n-datasheet.pdf which seem very orientated towards caravans etc. Specifically the wiring connections. Did you find something a little more 'commercial'? Thanks as always

Hi, does anyone know much about flexible (thin-PV) panels? I'd considering them on my zinc in between the standing seams. Visually I think they work much much better. There are not as efficient as the normal panels, but they do work better in cloudy conditions, or less than favourable angles/shaded roofs. Currently I'm struggling to find anyone with any experience or supplier unless I buy direct from China, but then I worry about warranty etc. Biggest concern currently would be how long they last though they do come with a 10 or 25 year power loss garantee. Anyone know anything about these? I also suspect it will be 3x the cost at least which might be a no goer!

I'm trying to find this out as well. Did you get an answer from anywhere?

We had originally sized a 8.5 ASHP, but we have large vaulted ceilings in nearly all rooms hence we're going on the safe side and increasing the capacity. I have about 115m2 of south facing roof (20% pitch), so if I mount the panels sideways I could fit 56 panels which is about 15KW system. So roof space isn't really the limiter . Using the EU calculator with my pitch and azimuth it says a 4K system would in the summer months generate 480KwH per month. How do I translate that into peak kw generated in the day for a given hour ? 480/30days/12hrs = 1.3 kW ? That seems a bit low. Edited to add: I'm actually considering just doing the whole roof as the cost will be slightly cheaper than the zinc that is currently specified. Even we we don't get anywhere near using that capacity currently its going to be cheaper than just a straight zinc roof. Or am I being silly?

Thanks both. So any idea how I could size this? How did you size your own system?

Thanks Jeremy. TBH Im not really interested at all on the export side, its really about consuming what we generate, but there is obviously a balance. This is a dumb question, but what happens to the excess generated electricity if not exporting? I'm kind of presuming battery tech will get better and cheaper in the coming years, do may look to leverage that at some point I suppose.

Hi all, Having discovered we can afford to add the PV now as part of the build, I'm having trouble deciding what size array to put in. I may be limited to 4K as from my previous readings the DNO's only allow above 4K if installed via a MCS supplier??? Is that true? It my local electrician who'll be doing the job, so not registered. Putting aside that for a moment, given both my wife and I work from home, kids, and future EV car purchase in the next 5 years probably how do I go about sizing this correctly? I'm aiming for an airtight house with good insulation, but due to the fact its a barn conversion, then end result is a bit of an unknown as to what the actual energy demands will be (ASHP heating BTW). Is it just finger in the air stuff or can I somehow work this out say from the SAP calcs? I'd rather do it now as adding additional panels now, will be much cheaper than paying for scaffolding again later down the road. The house is about 160m2 single story with vaulted ceilings, and we're going for a 11KW ASHP. Thanks

I local electrical supplier in Norwich. Its not for installation just the parts.

Does anyone know if the in-roof systems can be used with metal/zinc roofs? I've done a search but can't find much in the Uk. Also what sort fo pricing are these systems? My current quote for a 4K system is around £1500 plus about a days work for the electrician and mounts/clamps.

I think thats your quickest option. Any good flooring company should be able to advise

You need to look at LVTs such as Karndean. Amitico etc. There are very large ranges. THere are loads of other makes out there as well.

Does anyone know if added clamps to the standing seams (for PV mounting) , can cause this? Is there anything I can do about it if so?

Yes I of cause understand it expands and moves with temperature, however I’ve never seen a zinc roof that has this issue so I’m presuming it’s not really the norm and hence the question. I’m starting to wonder if it’s just cheaper for me to source some TATA equivalents and install myself if it’s going to look a mess I matter in 5 years!

Where getting a zinc roof. What can I do to try to reduce the possibility of this happening or is it all down to the installer and their care and equipment?

Got a photo? still not interested in black barn paint and be done with it?

I’m planning on adding a pulley system but the mrs still wants a tumble dryer. Those with MVHr, so you have an extraction pipe plumbed into the dryer and going out through the wall? I’m just thinking about airtightness etc

Yes that would very helpful as I need to order many sheets soon

You can make your own for very little. You can see how here - skip to around 10:15 to see it in action - very good I think for the money

I was referring to the Quadcore linked above vs ‘standard’ PIR

Thanks for that but that Kingspan product is 0.08 W/m·K vs 0.02 of their standard PIR so don’t really see the point aside from ease. i just released that I’ll never be able to use the vacuum panels as I need to put screws right through them into the joists with my roof makeup. thanks anyhow