CalvinHobbes Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 So we are out of the ground and have a lot of building to do. With prices being what they are and inflation, we are focusing on the essentials. We would however like to put in PV at a future date and read the other day an article about a new way of printing them which should make them cheaper in the future and presumably fit on lighter roofs?. So I guess it makes sense to leave whatever wire/cable/emt in through the wall. Any tips? If we had green deal in NI I would be tempted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 I doubt it, in the future you'll need to hire scaffolding which will wipe out any savings. Panels are now well less than £100 each, so no longer the dominant cost factor - inverters, optimisers, mounting systems and installation etc combined cost more than the panels. My system cost £5k and the payback period is currently 5 years. The sooner you get it, the sooner you get the benefits. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 8 minutes ago, CalvinHobbes said: read the other day an article about a new way of printing them which should make them cheaper in the future and presumably fit on lighter roofs?. I think I read that article 15 years ago. Don't hold your breath. Have you compared the price of roof integrated PV compared to tiling/slating. Bear in mind that you will have scaffolding up anyway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 Plan where the panels will go- roof/ground mount. plan route from above to inverter location plan route from inverter to mains position. allow for data cabling, plan for batteries, plan for running some loads from solar diverted, immersion/heater etc and future proof wiring 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillsue Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 1 hour ago, Conor said: Panels are now well less than £100 each, so no longer the dominant cost factor Interesting. Can you share make, wattage and where youre buying them?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperJohnG Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 I didn't add solar panels at the time as I had lots going on and I regret it. It'll never be cheaper than now, do it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 5 hours ago, Dillsue said: Interesting. Can you share make, wattage and where youre buying them?? Hadn't realised prices had gone up so much in the last 2 years. I bought JA solar 345w panels for £90, I see they are now more like £140. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillsue Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 4 hours ago, Conor said: Hadn't realised prices had gone up so much in the last 2 years. I bought JA solar 345w panels for £90, I see they are now more like £140. Yep, prices shot up in spring last year with the rise in the price cap. If you bought before then everything would have been much cheaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 I was asked the best time to plant a tree. "20 years ago. If you didn't, then today" PV is the same. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 3 minutes ago, SteamyTea said: I was asked the best time to plant a tree. "20 years ago. If you didn't, then today" PV is the same. I bet the trees were cheaper to buy 20 years ago! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 27 minutes ago, Marvin said: I bet the trees were cheaper to buy 20 years ago! Why would anyone pay for a tree. Just dig up one the council has recently planted. What we pay our rates for isn't it. Can also pick up a nice, sturdy bench seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andehh Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 +1 to PV, it's the future! Especially if looking at ASHP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 What are you building, single, two storey? plant room? avIlable size roof? location of potential equipment? gibe this some thought and get a quote from a local installer. you can always add cabling now, equipment later. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canski Posted May 7, 2023 Share Posted May 7, 2023 On 13/04/2023 at 19:15, TonyT said: What are you building, single, two storey? plant room? avIlable size roof? location of potential equipment? gibe this some thought and get a quote from a local installer. you can always add cabling now, equipment later. I’m also interested in installing at a later date if I stay in the new house. What cabling is required to prime the house ready for installation ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted May 7, 2023 Share Posted May 7, 2023 Just now, Canski said: I’m also interested in installing at a later date if I stay in the new house. What cabling is required to prime the house ready for installation ? Why bother with cabling. Just make sure there is an easy route that cables can be run through. Usually there will be 2 pairs of 4mm DC cables from the modules, and anything from 2.5 to 6mm T&E for the inverter to the Consumer Unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canski Posted May 7, 2023 Share Posted May 7, 2023 I just thought that it would save any disruption in the future if the cables were already installed and coiled up in a neat loop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted May 7, 2023 Share Posted May 7, 2023 1 minute ago, Canski said: I just thought that it would save any disruption in the future if the cables were already installed and coiled up in a neat loop. The installer may not accept them. I would not trust someone pointing at some old cables while saying 'use them'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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