More Fixed Balcony Solar, and Impact on EPC?

[Ferdinand]

Slightly speculative, but worth a discussion I think.

One thing I see balcony solar being used for is a small fixed installations as a cost-saver.

That is, we use a more fixed small install on wall, roof - whatever - done via something more substantive than "hook on a balcony" done under Permitted Development, and then use a connection to a plug-in unit to avoid the complex wiring etc.

AIUI the limitations are 2 kWp of solar panels, and 800W output.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

And does anyone have any thoughts on the impact of a 1kw or 2kw balcony solar system on the EPC number?

This could be a way for LLs trying to meet the EPC C which is I think a requirement for 2030.

[Dillsue]

We've recently had our EPC redone and 12.5kw of panels added a few points but surprised me how little it added. We've got a 4kw MCS system and 8.5kw self installed and the Assessor seemed to struggle with getting those entered into the system. He ended up putting the panels in by area as a percentage of roof area covered. I got the impression that assessor wasn't too familiar with anything non standard so maybe there are alternative ways that may get a better score??

[Beelbeebub]

17 hours ago, Dillsue said:

We've recently had our EPC redone and 12.5kw of panels added a few points but surprised me how little it added. We've got a 4kw MCS system and 8.5kw self installed and the Assessor seemed to struggle with getting those entered into the system. He ended up putting the panels in by area as a percentage of roof area covered. I got the impression that assessor wasn't too familiar with anything non standard so maybe there are alternative ways that may get a better score??

That's odd 

 

We've had a bunch done and when we reran the assesment with the addition of 2.5kwp of panels wen got loads of points. Easily lifting one and sometimes 2 grades (10 points or more on some cases). 

 

It did seem to depend a bit on the individual property. Some were a bit less than 10 and others were well over 

[Ferdinand]

19 hours ago, Dillsue said:

We've recently had our EPC redone and 12.5kw of panels added a few points but surprised me how little it added. We've got a 4kw MCS system and 8.5kw self installed and the Assessor seemed to struggle with getting those entered into the system. He ended up putting the panels in by area as a percentage of roof area covered. I got the impression that assessor wasn't too familiar with anything non standard so maybe there are alternative ways that may get a better score??

 

I have had 10kWp all professionally installed since 2016.

EPC is currently I think 77C, but was done in 2013 and I have no reason to do it again, and lots of bits of work have been done.

So I would expect a jump to a B or even an A. I'll get one done in due course.

[Dillsue]

4 hours ago, Beelbeebub said:

That's odd 

 

We've had a bunch done and when we reran the assesment with the addition of 2.5kwp of panels wen got loads of points. Easily lifting one and sometimes 2 grades (10 points or more on some cases). 

 

It did seem to depend a bit on the individual property. Some were a bit less than 10 and others were well over 

I think our low uplift for extensive PV may be down to the Assessor, but maybe a limitation of RDSAP not accepting the uncertified 8.5kw of self installed PV?? Another quirk was that the Assessor reckoned we may have scored slightly better with a modern gas boiler over the ASHP we have. His explanation for this was that as we are heating with radiators the system assumes a 55 degree flow temp which hits the HP efficiency. He reckoned there was no way to alter this to our actual flow temp of 30ish.

 

I think the new HEM would likely give us a way better score than RDSAP but that will have to wait for another day