Anyone gone down the max self consumption route?

[Alan Ambrose]

Quote

I went the max panel and inverter route.

 

Size of inverter was partly determined by desire to cover peaks without drawing from grid i.e. kettle, toaster, air fryer all on at same time.

 

This allowed for a large number of panels (24).

 

This was dictated strongly by my (carport) roof size.  I wanted to get it looking neat so fewer panels would look stupid. 24 panels filled the roof really nicely.

 

It also compensated for sub optimal angle and orientation (12 degrees and South West).

 

It also allowed reasonable generation (enough to cover daily demand) in the shoulder months as the panels are badly shaded by trees and the house.

 

All in all we have zero import for 6 months and produce about 25% of demand in deep winter.

 

The array easily saturates my export limit (a measly 3.6kw) so we have alot of potential excess in the summer.

 

One advantage of the big array and inverter in the winter is the charge rate can be really high so you can take advantage of the 2 or 3 hours of sun during an otherwise dull day.  3 hours of good sun is about all I need to top up.

 

 

@Beelbeebub  Yeah, that's pretty much what I want to do for similar reasons. Presumably you had to limit the export in software but had a much larger inverter?

[scottishjohn]

22 minutes ago, Alan Ambrose said:

 

 

@Beelbeebub  Yeah, that's pretty much what I want to do for similar reasons. Presumably you had to limit the export in software but had a much larger inverter?

why are you limited to export volume?

[scottishjohn]

On 06/08/2026 at 08:31, G and J said:

For us and I assume many, maxing the panels on one face of the roof was a no brainer as it saved slate (I’m not a fan of surface mount panels).  

I did look at that but was assured by builder that by the time they GRP that area there would be no savings  and possible problems over time  if not GRP below the panels