5.5Kw solar panel array with batteries

[Farming Forward]

Hello,

I know this has been covered before. We have had a quote for a 5.5Kw solar panel array on one of our existing buildings along with 2 x 3.3Kw batteries. The quote is just over £10K. Does anybody have any quotes for similar size systems? I am waiting on 2 further quotes.

I understand the batteries are fairly new technology but does anybody have any experience with them? They are being offered with 10 year warranty. I suppose nobody has had them for 10 years to see how they are performing after that period of time.

A couple of suppliers at LAMMA didnt recommend batteries but, I think they were referring to larger scale systems.

Thank you

 

[Zetor]

Sounds about right, just had a quote and it was similar
I’m only going with the panels which is just under £7k I might add an “Eddie” this is a bit of kit that sends any surplus power into the immersion or room heater this is about £600
Can add a battery at any time and might be tempted at a later date

 

[Fogg]

Apparently you pay vat on the battery if it's retrofitted, but not if you buy it with the panels.

I've no idea whether that's true, but it's what a friend was telling me last night.

 

[milkloss]

Sorry I can't give a constructive answer but I do have a question if I may:

what would be the max permissible current draw from the batteries and do you draw current from the grid if they can't supply enough?

 

[Exfarmer]

Sorry I can't give a constructive answer but I do have a question if I may:

what would be the max permissible current draw from the batteries and do you draw current from the grid if they can't supply enough?

The current draw from the batteries will be dependent on the batteries themselves and the inverter. I believe most domestic the max draw would be around the 3 kw mark after which you will start drawing from the mains

Apparently you pay vat on the battery if it's retrofitted, but not if you buy it with the panels.

I've no idea whether that's true, but it's what a friend was telling me last night.

This is correct

Hello,

I know this has been covered before. We have had a quote for a 5.5Kw solar panel array on one of our existing buildings along with 2 x 3.3Kw batteries. The quote is just over £10K. Does anybody have any quotes for similar size systems? I am waiting on 2 further quotes.

I understand the batteries are fairly new technology but does anybody have any experience with them? They are being offered with 10 year warranty. I suppose nobody has had them for 10 years to see how they are performing after that period of time.

A couple of suppliers at LAMMA didnt recommend batteries but, I think they were referring to larger scale systems.

Thank you
That looks a fairly good price now
As for battery life, that is a very big question.
Another big question is can you justify the batteries? The problem is so much of your production is in the summer but most usage is in the winter.
The best way to justify them is if you have the technology to harvest cheap electricity when using a day night tarriff

 

[pauld]

!6 400w black panels , 10 kwh battery and bird guarding all around quoted at just over £15,000.

Just deliberating where to put battery. Think outside would be best in case of fire. Got me thinking when I read battery spec and discovered it comes with its own built in fire extinguisher.

Seen a number of local installations where jackdaws have had a field day nesting under panels so I would see bird exclusion as essential.

I was also told no vat on batteries if bought as part of package with panels.

 

[JLLM]

Just had a quote for a 5kw system 7.2k or 11.3k with batteries. Anybody know how much I'm likely to get for export?

 

[Exfarmer]

The omne good reason for batteries will be when you have an electric car. You will be able to store the summer sun you cant user as everyone is out at work during the day then you can come home and use the stored power for your car.
This of course goes against the idea that we can use our cars to assist the grid, since we will be wanting to store use our own power.
Of course with centralised power management it should still be possible to do this, our governments, and some members of the community dislike of sauch centralisation, I can never see it happening

 

[rogeriko]

If you install solar panels now just make sure you install a Hybrid inverter. Then you can install batteries whenever you want. Currently Pylontech 3Kwh batteries are around £1000. You can add as many as you want easily. https://www.ginlong.com/us/conews/36330.html Many others are available.

 

[MrNoo]

Just put 11kw of (damaged panels from our solar farm) up, bought a hybrid Iconica inverter 11kw (Cumbria Solar Supplies). Have ordered 2x 5000 Pylontech batteries,
It is basically an off grid inverter but is connected to the mains but doesn’t export, from what I have gleaned export is a ball ache, a lot of hassle for not a lot of gain, limited in a lot of cases to 3.65kw or with DNO approval 5kw
So currently I pull off the grid at night (until my batteries arrive) then as soon as suns up I can use solar, will boil a kettle at 7-30am and run the toaster!!
All in my system will have cost me just over £5k, it’s way oversized for my needs but will run everything in winter (I hope!!)

 

[renewablejohn]

If you install solar panels now just make sure you install a Hybrid inverter. Then you can install batteries whenever you want. Currently Pylontech 3Kwh batteries are around £1000. You can add as many as you want easily. https://www.ginlong.com/us/conews/36330.html Many others are available.

Dont know whether you can help but I am looking to put in a system similar to MrNoo above but have hit a potential problem that I had not envisaged. Where I was going to install the panels I have a 132kv high voltage national grid line and pylon going through. Can overcome the shading of the tower and wires by positioning south of the powerline but told it will not work due to magnetism of the high voltage line. Never heard this before but do know National Grid are quite protective about their power lines and wondered what the truth is behind it.

 

[Exfarmer]

Dont know whether you can help but I am looking to put in a system similar to MrNoo above but have hit a potential problem that I had not envisaged. Where I was going to install the panels I have a 132kv high voltage national grid line and pylon going through. Can overcome the shading of the tower and wires by positioning south of the powerline but told it will not work due to magnetism of the high voltage line. Never heard this before but do know National Grid are quite protective about their power lines and wondered what the truth is behind it.

I would not place the panels under the line as you can build up some huge static charge in the system and they could impact the inverter. However I do not see how the panels will be affected by magnetism.
Saying that I am aware years ago we were combining a field with a big power line running across and the driver was perplexed that one way across the field the combine was losing nothing, the other way losses were off the scale.
Looking behind was nothing unusual so we blamed it on the presence of the cables to Sizewell running overhead

 

[renewablejohn]

I would not place the panels under the line as you can build up some huge static charge in the system and they could impact the inverter. However I do not see how the panels will be affected by magnetism.
Saying that I am aware years ago we were combining a field with a big power line running across and the driver was perplexed that one way across the field the combine was losing nothing, the other way losses were off the scale.
Looking behind was nothing unusual so we blamed it on the presence of the cables to Sizewell running overhead

Well I dont understand about this magnetism but its recommended not to install within 200 mtrs of the line which seems rediculous and will really screw up my cable lengths. Static I understand as I cannot do metal fence lines without a shock risk so we only have stone walls close to the grid line.

 

[Timbo]

!6 400w black panels , 10 kwh battery and bird guarding all around quoted at just over £15,000.

Just deliberating where to put battery. Think outside would be best in case of fire. Got me thinking when I read battery spec and discovered it comes with its own built in fire extinguisher.

Seen a number of local installations where jackdaws have had a field day nesting under panels so I would see bird exclusion as essential.

I was also told no vat on batteries if bought as part of package with panels.

Just bear in mind with outdoor batteries - they lock out at around 5c - I have made an insulted wooden box around mine with 10w heater to keep them active in cold temps.

 

[steveR]

Well I dont understand about this magnetism but its recommended not to install within 200 mtrs of the line which seems rediculous and will really screw up my cable lengths. Static I understand as I cannot do metal fence lines without a shock risk so we only have stone walls close to the grid line.

Spounds OTT at 200m.

We were looking at solar on a field with 132 OH line, and thet were going (I think) 25 or 30m either side, from underneath the lines. Arrays running parallel with OH.

 

[f0ster]

if some of you are lucky enough to still have the older type of electric meter installed. the type with the metal disc inside that rotates, some models of this type of meter go backwards.
if you export 10kwh during the day it will go backwards by 10kwh, this works out as energy storage because on the evening when the sun has gone down or during the day if the sun has disappeared you get this 10kwh back again if needed. if you are paying monthly for your elec you have until your next meter read to make sure your meter has not gone backwards too far other wise red flags will pop up at the provider. not all of these do this, some have back stops on them to stop this happening. if you are not getting paid for exports you cannot be accused of stealing elec, you are lending them your elec generated until you decide to take it back for your own use. energy storage for free, the energy providers will hassle you non stop to get a smart meter, especially Eon, but you do not have to.

 

[Exfarmer]

if some of you are lucky enough to still have the older type of electric meter installed. the type with the metal disc inside that rotates, some models of this type of meter go backwards.
if you export 10kwh during the day it will go backwards by 10kwh, this works out as energy storage because on the evening when the sun has gone down or during the day if the sun has disappeared you get this 10kwh back again if needed. if you are paying monthly for your elec you have until your next meter read to make sure your meter has not gone backwards too far other wise red flags will pop up at the provider. not all of these do this, some have back stops on them to stop this happening. if you are not getting paid for exports you cannot be accused of stealing elec, you are lending them your elec generated until you decide to take it back for your own use. energy storage for free, the energy providers will hassle you non stop to get a smart meter, especially Eon, but you do not have to.

I was in this situation which was a little embarassing seeing as I am in the industry. I felt compelled to send a letter to my supplier with my concerns. They assured me that this could not happen so I continued for 5 years untill I had a protracted holiday . Again i pointed. Out the situation and my meter was then changed. I got a letter from my supplier apologising for the meter issues.
The truth is the supplier only pays for the power the meter registers and they take their cut.
The meter and reading are completely independent companies who make their money whatever the flow of power through the meter, they are though, supposed to be independent correct readings, in truth they are a bunch of crooks who give not a damn as long as they get their cut

 

[Nae bother]

Hi I got a quote last night for a 100kw solar system on a roof,I'm new to it so advise greatly appreciated,we use very little power on the farm it's purely for investment purposes,what should I look out for,what realistically is pay back time ( it's a east to west site) best companies were in Aberdeenshire,thanks.

 

[Timbo]

Hi I got a quote last night for a 100kw solar system on a roof,I'm new to it so advise greatly appreciated,we use very little power on the farm it's purely for investment purposes,what should I look out for,what realistically is pay back time ( it's a east to west site) best companies were in Aberdeenshire,thanks.

You would be wise to look at what youd get paid for production **Before you seek pricing on installations.

The ship has pretty much sailed years ago, but there are one or two short term deals about if you're astute to find and negotiate them

 

[Exfarmer]

Hi I got a quote last night for a 100kw solar system on a roof,I'm new to it so advise greatly appreciated,we use very little power on the farm it's purely for investment purposes,what should I look out for,what realistically is pay back time ( it's a east to west site) best companies were in Aberdeenshire,thanks.

Just be aware, that the current export prices of 15p + are unlikely to last for ever. 2 years ago the prices were in the region of 5p
A n east west array is going to only produce 85% of a southern facing and I guess that far north winter production will be very low.
East West has a lot of advantages for people looking to consume the power, but it is not good for exports.
Another aspect is the rates issue, if you are planning on exporting the bulk of the power , many sites have had these levied where the main production is not for agriculture. I am not aware of the situation in Scotland though.
The company will I assume have given you an estimate of the annual production figures.
Factor in cleaning costs, circa £2 a panel annually if the area is dusty. East facing panels are prone to algal and moss growth as well
Another aspect to consider is getting an export meter. Do you already have a HH meter, you will need a contract with the meter operator, this will cost £375 a year
It may then take a year to get the export data fed across to your chosen customer.
It will help an awful lot if you can sell the power to your current import supplier but they will most likely only offer a very low price. However if you only take a years contract you can then change to one of the independents