Expanding a solar system

[farmerfred86]

What is the process to increase or alter the size of a system?
Im considering adding extra solar or possibly a wind turbine. (I believe we could utilise inverters already on site as they are not all at capacity.)

Is it another DNO application?

 

[rollestonpark]

Is it another DNO application?

your solar install... are you claiming FITS on that (or ROCs)?
If so and you add more panels, your output will increase, then you will likely get investigated by ofgem. Since you will be in breach of what you originally setup.
You will be trying to claim more from them, than you originally set out to. So be careful.

If no FITS etc, then adding a few panels, you'll probably have to check with the DNO, but I would imagine unless your going all out, they probably won't be bothered.
edit:
In fact if you already have a DNO application which covers the max output of the inverters, and you only add more panels, but no more inverters, then you probably won't need a new DNO app, because your max momentary output won't change.

 

[Exfarmer]

you wll definitely need to apply to the DNO and we are finding them not at all co operative now!
you cannot utilise any inverters which are currently producing power with FIT payments. That would be fraud!
you will certainly be allowed to install extra capacity if it is a separate install and you accept export limitation

 

[spin cycle]

for a moment i thought i'd stumbled on a 'trekkie forum'

 

[Still Farming]

for a moment i thought i'd stumbled on a 'trekkie forum'

Or quantum physics topic?

 

[f0ster]

if you add 20% more panels you can easily talk your way through it, they are unlikely to arouse suspicion for just 20%. the panels will have degraded slightly over the years and with a covering of dust/dirt they will be well down compared to when new, adding 20% brings them back to what they were when new, finding matching panels to your existing ones is more of a problem, not a good idea to mix panels on one string, you might have to increase the other string sizes using existing panels so as to free up one of the inverter DC inputs then you can add a new string with new panels, just look at the inverter max DC input for voltage and current and then look at the panel data and work out what it is presently running at for voltage/current.

 

[rollestonpark]

If you get an Ofgem inspection, won't they count the panels, then realise something is wrong?

 

[farmerfred86]

If I'm reading the replies correctly then I can add more panels provided they don't go through the generation meter? So if I install new panels on a second building (roof space) and avoid the generation meter (that determine the FiT) this should be fine? I will then benefit from the usage and export...?

 

[rollestonpark]

If I'm reading the replies correctly then I can add more panels provided they don't go through the generation meter? So if I install new panels on a second building (roof space) and avoid the generation meter (that determine the FiT) this should be fine? I will then benefit from the usage and export...?

Yes as long as you are not adding another inverter, if you do, that will increase your peak output. which would require a new DNO app.
At least I think that's right...

 

[farmerfred86]

Yes as long as you are not adding another inverter, if you do, that will increase your peak output. which would require a new DNO app.
At least I think that's right...

ah, guess that would be a NO then... I couldn't add extra PV to another building and avoid the generation meter if i used the old inverters.
Might be best to make full use of the original 4 inverters before trying anything else then.

 

[f0ster]

when you install a system you do not specify how many panels are fitted, you specify the kw size and a rough guide as to the annual generation, there are so many panels available of different sizes, you can make up a system of for example, 20kw from dozens of different panel sizes, you could have them all anything from 200w ( older technology) to 250w ( later technology) to present sizes available now, the ones available now are available in lots of sizes, from installing lots of systems I have never had anyone count panels, they examine the meter occasionally,

 

[Exfarmer]

If I'm reading the replies correctly then I can add more panels provided they don't go through the generation meter? So if I install new panels on a second building (roof space) and avoid the generation meter (that determine the FiT) this should be fine? I will then benefit from the usage and export...?

Yes that is correct provided you have DNO permission