Newer battery storage systems are relatively simple, you have a grid connected battery inverter that monitors incoming/outgoing via a CT clamp and sorts out what you want to achieve based on the settings you set. Or use a hybrid inverter that is both PV inverter and battery inverter rolled into one.
However, this comment makes any battery storage irrelevant.
If you are fortunate enough to have a meter that will run backwards if exporting, you have a zero cost or maintenance, profitable energy storage system connected without even doing anything. If your meter spins backwards when you export, you're effectively selling generated power at the same value it cost you to turn the meter forwards.
If that's the case, get some PV up asap and enjoy it before the meter gets changed.
If you do do it, you should probably not submit meter reads, in summer, that suggest the clock has gone backwards though.
It's very simple. Half the panels in series, I'd angle the sets SE/SW, each set connected to the inverter, then inverter wired into mains. DC isolator inbetween the panel string and inverter, AC isolator between supply and inverter.
Found a you tube video, they have surge protectors and meters but ignore those bits and get it wired up pronto!
YesThis, but basically twice?
If you are using electricity you will use the electricity from your inverters. If you aren't using it all, some will be exported.
If you submit a g98 you are limited to 3600w inverter, more than that is a g99/100 which you preapply for. It's so the DNO knows how much power is likely to appear. If you are using the power you won't export it at all anyway. You could fit a bigger inverter and export more without the application but = naughty.
Once you get to hybrid/battery systems, you have a measuring coil on the incoming supply and the inverter tries to stop export/import whichever way you set it up.
In your scenario you will want to run your workshop dehumidifiers etc, and your solar inverters will feed them instead of it coming in from the mains via your meter.
You can fit up to 3.68kW of generator capacity to any supply. That's total inverter power, irrelevant of the kW your panels total. To do so, you can install and then inform DNO.This is brilliant! My stubborness might pay off.
Not having a battery even better.
Although, im limited as to what i can export am i not?
Which is another question, how is that export amount controlled? I still dont get that bit?
This has just moved up my list of priorities!
What is likely to be produced isn't of interest to DNO, they will let you install only 3.68kW of generator (inverter) capacity. Without pre application.As I suggested split the arrays one pointing SE one SW, then they will hit peak power at different times, you will have the opportunity to use more of the power yourself.
As I suggested split the arrays one pointing SE one SW, then they will hit peak power at different times, you will have the opportunity to use more of the power yourself.
@Roger440 ,
You can fit up to 3.68kW of generator capacity to any supply. That's total inverter power, irrelevant of the kW your panels total. To do so, you can install and then inform DNO.
If you want more, and why not, you can apply to DNO with your proposed installation and see if they'll accept it as is or accept it with export limitation. That's very easy to do with modern inverters but probably not the ones you have.
You should probably check it does spin backwards by rigging up a couple panels to an inverter and turning off all house loads to see before getting carried away.
But presuming you do, design a setup should produce up to the your current consumption and put that to the DNO and go from there. Or just start now with what you have and apply for more later.
Probably, yes. Inverters have an upper limit of installed panel power capacity as well as maximum string voltage. Which must be respected. They correlate with but don't equal the inverter power rating. But you can under supply an inverter.One is 1550w, and the other 2600, so i guess i want to split my panels unequally to roughly match the invertors?
Total invertor capacity is 4350w so technically over if i install both.
Understood on checking the meter.
However, i need to install the panels regardless. If the meter wont run backwards, then i might add the forklift or something else.
Id be surprised if they allowed more. Im on spur, off a spur off a spur almost the last house, straight off the 11kv network with my own transformer. Hence why they want to rape me for a three phase supply. Ie, new transformer. But im just guessing.
Probably, yes. Inverters have an upper limit of installed panel power capacity as well as maximum string voltage. Which must be respected. They correlate with but don't equal the inverter power rating. But you can under supply an inverter.
It's also worth thinking about any shading. If a panel in a string is shaded, it drags the voltage and power output of the entire string down. So, if shading is unavoidable, sometimes you can set up panels so inevitable shading only drags down a portion and not all strings.
If you are close to your nearest transformer, with no other generators on the line, it may well be that you can have significantly more than the 3.68. But as you say, just guesswork.
Yes, understand the total of the 2 i have would exceeded the maximum limit. That is a bit of a problem. Its already been suggested i throw away the invertors i have and buy a new one of the correct rating. Decent ones are not cheap though.The proposed installation, two inverters totalling more than 3.68kW, wouldn't be covered by G.98 even with export limitation. The reason being that the limitation isn't perfect so the need to assess the impact of briefly exceeding the limit. For ourselves the SSEN guy explained they look for no more than 1.3% voltage rise at the permitted export, or 2.3% from the total system size.
It depends how legal you want to be. For example legally you should tell the supplier if the meter runs backwards.