I'll be cutting the roof and installing the standing seam roof in the next 4-6 weeks and whilst I've got the scaffolding up, I thought it makes sense to get the PV panels installed. Looking at a 7kw array. As I want all black panels, is it simply a case of purchasing the panels sizes that work for our roof dimensions? Eg, I see the difference between the 515W and 470W panels are just dimensional.

I am also trying to source the S5! N Mini Clamps, but I've been told you are better off sourcing these from the US. Anyone had any experience sourcing these?

49 minutes ago, flanagaj said:

trying to source the S5! N Mini Clamps, but I've been told you are better off sourcing these from the US

Add import duty plus handling charge by agent and VAT to the cost, so be ready for big uplift. Just get ones available from the UK.

52 minutes ago, flanagaj said:

515W and 470W panels are just dimensional.

No they are different voltage and amps as well, not a big difference but different. 515W may effect inverter choice, it may not, but you need to check.

I suggest you contact a couple suppliers, outline your needs, and let them put a package together. I did this with ITS and they sent me exactly everything that was needed, no wastage, no compatability issues. Don't forget cables and connectors.

Other things to ensure are in place

Your electrical contractor is involved and you get the PV included in your electrical sign off certificate

The panel are shown on your structural/architectural drawings

Reason for the above then you can get Octopus to approve you for export without MCS certificate. Yes you pay £250, to put that into perspective, I have received over £600 in export payments his year to date, plus another £100 since May from Axle.

As mentioned above get a full kit is what I do for my first install from ITS, simplified and saved money. City Plumbing also do them and others

23 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

Other things to ensure are in place

Your electrical contractor is involved and you get the PV included in your electrical sign off certificate

The panel are shown on your structural/architectural drawings

Reason for the above then you can get Octopus to approve you for export without MCS certificate. Yes you pay £250, to put that into perspective, I have received over £600 in export payments his year to date, plus another £100 since May from Axle.

As mentioned above get a full kit is what I do for my first install from ITS, simplified and saved money. City Plumbing also do them and others

Who do you pay 250 to?

15 minutes ago, Oz07 said:

Who do you pay 250 to?

Octopus: https://octopus.energy/help-and-faqs/articles/export-without-mcs/

2 hours ago, Oz07 said:

Who do you pay 250 to?

As above, octopus, best £250 I've spent.

Never knew you had to have mcs to export. Every day a school day!

10 minutes ago, Oz07 said:

Never knew you had to have mcs to export. Every day a school day!

AFAIK I think you have to have MCS approval to get paid for export. If you use less than you are generating and are connected to the grid you will export, but without approval you will be giving it away.

Supposing you go with the Octopus scheme - am I right in thinking you’re effectively locked in until a competitor offers a similar scheme?

24 minutes ago, Alan Ambrose said:

Supposing you go with the Octopus scheme - am I right in thinking you’re effectively locked in until a competitor offers a similar scheme?

Good question, you will have an export MPAN, but other companies do ask for an MCS certificate also, so not sure. Assume you may be locked in, but after being with most suppliers at one stage of my life or other, I see can worse thing than staying with Octopus.

The other alternative is to pay several thousand more, to get an MCS PV install and never really get any payback on the system.

Edited 4 minutes ago4 min by JohnMo

There's an eFixx video where a qualified electrician did his own non-MCS install and managed to get EON to give him an export tariff by quoting the regs at them. Look it up as it might provide another path or eon after that experience might have a pathway also.

I think this pathway is a bit a case of being a stickler for what the regs say vs what their intent was so could imagine this goes away at some point but worth looking at.