An English engineer in France

[SomeGoodBits]

Hi, I moved to central France in 2012.  I installed two arrays of solar panels manufactured by a company called FranceWatts totaling 10.5Kw.  I had two SMA Sunny boy inverters a TL4000 and a TL5000.  I also installed battery backup with a sunny island 6.0H and i build automatic transfer switch myself.  I recently lost a 6Kw array due to storms, however the insurance paid for a new installation, which i gladly let some professionals do.  This will enable me to sell surplus electric to EDF, which i could not do before with a DIY setup.  Unfortunately i have had to accept a SOLIS S-GR1P6K inverter, this i am having trouble integrating with the SMA sunny portal.  Hence my joining the forum.  My background is ICT consultancy, and mechanical engineering.  I now spend all my time maintaining our home.

[ToughButterCup]

Here's too much information

Quote

... Unfortunately i have had to accept a SOLIS S-GR1P6K inverter ...

 

An interesting thing to say.....

[SomeGoodBits]

The insurance dictated the inverter - 9 nine years on from the original kit.  Maybe i am naive but shouldn't stuff get better?

[Big Jimbo]

I think the value engineering is One of the problems. Rather than the best, we want the cheapest. Things are now designed to last for a certain period of time. There will be nothing to show on the Antiques Road show in 100 years, and Fiona, will be out of a job.

[Garald]

On 04/10/2024 at 10:04, SomeGoodBits said:

Hi, I moved to central France in 2012.  I installed two arrays of solar panels manufactured by a company called FranceWatts totaling 10.5Kw.  I had two SMA Sunny boy inverters a TL4000 and a TL5000.  I also installed battery backup with a sunny island 6.0H and i build automatic transfer switch myself.  I recently lost a 6Kw array due to storms, however the insurance paid for a new installation, which i gladly let some professionals do.  This will enable me to sell surplus electric to EDF, which i could not do before with a DIY setup.  Unfortunately i have had to accept a SOLIS S-GR1P6K inverter, this i am having trouble integrating with the SMA sunny portal.  Hence my joining the forum.  My background is ICT consultancy, and mechanical engineering.  I now spend all my time maintaining our home.

 

Hi! I am in the Paris area, have solar panels (just 3Kw) and I'm not an engineer (I'm very pure) so I've been pestering everybody here with questions for the last two years and a half - this forum has been a lifesaver. Welcome!