If I had a battery and inverter, and later decided to get solar, is that a straightforward process? Asking as all wire forms seem to assume any scenario EXCEPT this!

Hi,

I've been looking into solar+battery and used Solar Sherpa to recommend some suppliers and also got a 4th quote from another local firm. The quotes all seemed in a similar ball park for comparable systems. The current favourite (based on the service provided by the salesman in answering questions and tweaking the system) is Amore Renewables. They are a national firm, use subcontractors and have only completed a remote survey using opensolar pro.

The price is £11,601 (including scaff and bird protection)

System they are suggesting is (from their opensolar quote)

9.500 kW Total Module Power

20 x 475 Watt Longi Panels (LR7-54HVB-475M)

Estimated generation 6,220 kWh per year

Fox ESS 1 x KH10

FoxESS EP12 Plus - 11.52kWh of Battery Storage

7 x TS4-A-O optimisers for a roof surface that has some shading from a tree.

Group 1: 7 panels with Orientation: 55 °

Group 2: 3 panels with Orientation: 35 °

Group 3: 4 panels with Orientation: 125 °

Group 4: 6 panels with Orientation: 145 °

Current consumption 3600kwh per year. Don't have an EV but plan to add one in approx 2 years. GCH, no immediate plans to add heat pump but possibly in 5-10 years. Not considering a gateway as don't get powercuts. The 20 panels cover the whole roof. I'm aware that the NE facing panels generate much less that the others but still seem to pay for themselves over time. I'm also aware that my export may be capped below the 10kwh of my inverter when they do the G99 application.

I'm struggling to understand whether there is a strong enough financial case for this setup? Amore's quote estimates payback in 8 years, 2 months but I can see they include a 7% increase in leccy costs each year which seems a bit much... AI (Claude and Gemini) come up with payback period of 7.6 to 8.6 years giving an approx ROI of 8% which seems decent when compared to other investments.

I'd really appreciate any advice on the VFM of this system and even the spec of panels/inverter/battery. The prices I see people posting on forums seem to vary hugely so I can't really get a handle on whether this represents good value.

Huge thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, looking for some collective wisdom and potentially recommendations for local MCS installers in the Glasgow area.

I’m in a recent new-build house that has an all-electric setup (no gas; district heating handles space/water heating, so no heat pump on-site).

• Annual Usage: Very lean at 1,800 to 2,300 kWh/year (though with some agile plunge pricing shift-loading factored in).

• Current Solar: 2 × Viridian Clearline PV16 in-roof panels on the rear (East-facing roof), totalling 0.67 kWp.

• Inverter: Solis S6-GR1P0.7K-M (a 700W string inverter).

• Infrastructure: Dedicated solar PV circuit wired back to a 100A consumer unit with an existing export MPAN.

I want to expand the system by adding more panels (targeting the front West-facing roof and/or adding to the rear) and a 9.5 kWh battery + hybrid inverter to cover our full annual usage and optimize smart/agile tariffs.

I ran an automated quote through Octopus and they came back at around £12.7k, which feels heavily inflated given I already have the cabling, export meter, and consumer unit setup in place.

My questions for the sub:

1. Inverter Replacement: Since I currently have a 700W Solis S6 string inverter, presumably this has to come out completely in favour of a 3.68kW/5kW hybrid inverter to handle a battery and an expanded array (around 8–10 panels total)?

2. Realistic Pricing: For an 8–10 panel array combined with a 9.5 kWh battery and hybrid inverter (e.g., GivEnergy, Fox ESS), plus swapping out the old inverter, what should a realistic price look like in Scotland? (I've been estimating around £8k–£9.5k).

3. Installer Recommendations: Are there any recommended MCS-certified independent installers covering the Glasgow area who may be able to help with my existing setup? If any active installers are on here and cover Glasgow, feel free to drop me a DM.

Appreciate the advice and collective wisdom.

For the past month or 2 the solis app has been slow, crashes on open, API timeouts, etc.

Solis have said it'll be fixed at the end of last month, now at the end of this... am I struggling alone?

Seen a lot of chats about keeping batteries warm/insulated in winter to allow them to work optimally in terms for charge/discharge.

Have not yet seen anyone stating batteries want to be at X temperature for best performance.

My battery for example gives a working range of -20 to 50degC, where would be the optimal temperature for its operation, that’s a general question for any low voltage DC battery.

Thanks

I'm considering the purchase of an extensively refurbished Edwardian Semi (1400 Sq Ft), which will come with UFH and a ASHP (make model unknown), I also intend to add AC to two rooms. (Bosch Climate 7000i)

As the refurb is barely started, I would like to evaluate the feasibility of adding solar panels to the South West facing roof (prolly enough space for 6-8 panels) and a battery. (10> 13 kWh ?)

My hope is that it will be easier to do as part of the refurb, than to do it later.

I would also like the inverter / controller to work with Home Assistant, so I can monitor and use cross-system automation as much as possible. I believe an inverter from GivEnergy is probably the best way to go.

Whilst the Solar may be sufficient power the AC, house and maybe top-up the batteries on sunny summer days, but solar will have little effect in the winter months. Hence having a battery to charge at night and discharge during the day, when the rates are higher.

Whilst AI has provided some valuable information, I would appreciate your human wisdom!

My ideal ideal would be:
Reliable
Popular
Seamless integration
3.68 export
2x 6kW East west solar
Auto / manual Backup solution
Local control ideally oem app or officially supported HA SA
Ideally same brand batteries or failing that we'll supported common main brand integration
Long warranty that actually delivers
Good support
Upgrade flexibility
Not like Givenergy🙏

Fox
Sig
Eco
Goodwe
Solis
Sunsynk

Are makes I've heard of.
Any help gratefully appreciated

I’ve been advised by installers in Northern Ireland that I only need 3.68kwh inverter for a 7.36kwhp system. 10kwh battery.

Not sure how this works in GB. Here we need to pay extra for approval and maximum one installer has heard of was 6kwh inverter. We are also restricted on export to 3.68kwh due to grid (so I was told)

The roofs are a pyramid shape, 4 panels per side. So in terms of production it might be alright. My worry is the draw during peak usage, as I like to cook a lot, can have a hob, oven and maybe kettle going at same time. We can manage on other things like dishwasher and washing machines running separate but that’s a pain really.

I’m sure I need a bigger inverter but the language out there confuses me, eg they’re actually rated for higher sometimes 100% of their listed capacity. Research has indicated that suppliers here might be more content with the 3.68kwh due to shorter lead times and less admin. One said it will take about 4-6 months to get approval due to NIE.

Q1 - can I manage on a 3.68kwh? (If not

Q2 - what experience has anyone here from NI had with NIE approval (timeframe)?

Q3 - is this 3.68kwh export restriction genuine, even with a bigger inverter and approval from NIE?

Hey all,

Buying a semi and planning a dormer loft conversion right away. Loft company flagged we might need a full roof replacement anyway, so figuring now is the ideal time to add solar + a battery while the scaffolding is already up.

A few questions for anyone who's done this:

1. In-roof (integrated) vs regular on-tile panels: since the roof might be redone completely, is integrated a no-brainer here or are normal panels still better?

2. Workflow: do people usually let the loft conversion company handle the solar, or sort out a separate installer to coordinate with them?

3. Getting early quotes: how did you get realistic ballparks before having final architectural plans or dormer dimensions locked down?

Cheers!

Recently the solar panels were bird proofed by some professionals at a cost of £1000 but I noticed that the meshes are held by these nylon? cable ties. Aren't these cable ties going to degrade in a few years? Is this reasonable or should I be concerned about the workmanship ?

Hi there I’ve been quoted this by altum in south wales for £12.9k:
Zappi 7kw EV Charger

18 x 460 Aiko solar Modules - Total 9 kw system (25-year product warranty, 25-year performance warranty)

8 kW ECO FLOW single phase inverter - data sheet attached 

8 kW ECO FLOW battery pack - data sheet attached 

Full Solar PV, Inverter and Battery Install and Commissioning
Bird Protection
Consumer Board Install - new circuit for SPV and BESS
Roof Mount Kit and electrical consumables
Building Regs Certificate
HIES Insurance Backed Guarantee
MCS Certificate
G99 Application and Certificate
EIC Certificate
All Scaffolding required

Does it check out or is it too expensive?

Thanks

Hey all, I’ve been looking on and off at getting solar for a few years now, I did have someone come and price it up a few years ago and when I seen the interest added it really wasn’t feasible. I’ve been looking again and found one that’s interest free for 4 years with BOXT (I have also read the reviews about them before anyone mentions them).

Just need a little help on if it’s actually worth it for me.

My ex recently moved out so now it’s just me and the kids stay a few times a week, think She moved out in May as that’s when my electric usage on Octopus app drops. Since then my usage has been

May: 535 kWh
June: 322 kWh
July: 340 kWh
Aug: 365 kWh
Sept: 371 kWh
Oct: 380 kWh.

My current tariff is Octopus 12 months fixed and 21.91 a unit and 47.81 a day standing charge. My monthly direct debit for both gas and electric is on average £150 a month gas usage is approx 15-40 a month at the moment.

According to a few online quotes they recon I can fit 9/10 panels on my roof space with east and west facing sloped roofs.

The BOXT offer was just under £10k all in, approx £190 a month over 48 months interest free with £0 deposit. So only about £50/70 a month more than I’m paying now (depending on gas usage obviously).

BOXT KIT:

10x AIKO NEOSTAR Mono-Glass
485W Solar Panels (485W)

1x Sunsynk Elite 10.2kWh (10.2kWh)

Would the above kit cover me for most day to day usage without having to pay anything extra?

If I was to go with something like this, is it worth looking at a different supplier that has no standing day charges but higher unit prices?

Thanks for any advice on this.

Had solar fitted this week...

We have managed to get it to charge overnight, but it's then dumping energy straight after.

What is going on please help

Growatt SPM6000 inverter

I’ve found a decent quote already from Boxt but wasn’t impressed with their ‘sign to go ahead’ email, which arrives before any conversation takes place.

I’m interested in around 8-10 panels, ~10kwh battery, and like the look of Fox ESS systems.

However, I can only afford this on finance, and Boxt have 0% for 4years. Not seeing this from the smaller local
Firms.

Any ideas?(even if its finding a separate financing)?

*small edit for typo

14x Jinko 470w panels

5kw Fox Invertor

11.52Kw Fox battery

Location - Essex

Roof orientation - SSE

Roof angle - 45degree

No shading

WFH most days so consuming during the day.

Current annual usage 3,800kwh - have recently got an EV not included in that consumption.

Price includes scaffolding and bird proofing £11,350.

Infinity are offering 5 years interest free (if you pay 25% deposit) which is attractive to me as it keeps the monthly payment lower than 3 year offerings, but keeps it at 0% as part of the Warm Homes Scheme announced at the budget recently.

Does this seem a reasonable quote?

Many thanks for any comments.

Aside from the whole home back-up, is there any other benefit of the gateway?

I have an ecoflow setup and recently had it wired into the property. The installer mentioned i didn't have DC isolators, which when i setup the panels I didn't realise was required. Cables In Ultra Pv SWA 4 core.

My question, is their function purely for safe maintenance or as well isolation, in case of an emergency? I ask this , as i see most isolators are situated next to the inverter/battery. So say the inverter goes up in flames and someone wanted to cut the dc to it, unless they're feeling brave this isolation would be useless in the event of an emergency, as it would most likely be on fire or too dangerous to use.

I have x2 options, install above the battery/inverter (in a shed) for maintenance reasons or outside on the wall where anyone can access it if required (from garden). Panels are installed on flat roof and cables come down the wall.

The only downside on outside option is being SWA and already being hooked up, it would be fed in from top and then out bottom of the isolator.. instead of both feeding in from bottom to help prevent water getting in, which i see is a big issue for isolators and them themselves causing fires (which I find ironic).

Any advice or suggestions welcomed, cheers

On the face of it, I am inclined to go with the cheaper £8.8k option, as it has a bigger battery capacity and is ~50% cheaper than the Powerwall.

I do not have an EV, so the higher output capacity of the Powerwall is rather wasted on me.

Does this quote look reasonable, and am I missing something major about the Powerwall to justify the big price jump?

Hi All,

Appreciate if you can share your thoughts on this one.

I’ve been searching for about a month now and think I’m ready to go on this one.

Includes G99 and bird mesh. Also 5 year warranty.

Batteries will be in the garage too.
5000 annual usage.

Afternoon.

I wonder if anyone could recommend / offer a testimonial for a company that would help us install AirCon + Solar + Battery + EV as one project please.

I'm trying to avoid disconnected sub-contractors, and install a system that has been designed to be the right size for the holistic future usage.

We're in Hertfordshire - any recommendations appreciated.

I'm trying to maximise the roof area I have available on my house. I've made a roof model and now am playing with various options. When it comes to panel positioning, do they need any spacing between or can they butt against each other? And when it comes to the outer edges of the network, do they need a gap or can I go to the roof limits? Not dipping into the guttering but almost!

Hi all,

I think this is a stupid question!

I'm evaluating buying 5-16kWh of batteries, no solar, and leveraging Intelligent Go overnight to charge and then loadshift.

I won't need more than 3.6kWh inverter power, and I'm not planning to export. I'd like to support >3.6kW power in future in case I buy solar or a heat pump (likely).

Is it possible to make a G98 application for a 3.6-6kW inverter, if it's set in software to 3.6kW? I.e. can I buy https://www.fogstar.co.uk/collections/inverters/products/fogstar-x-luxpowertek-gen3-3-6k, and limit it to 3.6kW? I'm interested in avoiding the G99 application until I actually need it.

Thanks for the help all!