Consumer units for solar ...

[Skipper]

Assuming I have a 16th edition main consumer unit (actually a split board with an RCD and a few non-RCD circuits for things like the alarm system, smoke alarms and freezer, but I digress) ... and I want to move forward to a hybrid solar inverter, infeed only, so it will be some form of hybrid inverter.

I have an incoming isolator, with SPD that feeds the existing board. The plan was to have a small board installed to 18th edition, so metal clad, grommet etc and maybe 4 ways and a doup0le pole isolator, no RCD ... 2 ways with 40A RCBOs feeding the existign electric showers, one way with an MCB feeding power to the hybrid inverter and a spare. Does that sound about right so far?

The hybrid inverter would then power the existing consumer unit. I was thinking of asking for a 2 way changeover on the input to the old consumer unit, so it could be switched back to the incoming mains (there are spare ways on the Henley blocks) if the inverter craps itself or runs off screaming. Would there we a requirement to bring the whole consumer unit up to 18th edition at the same time or can it be left as is?

 

[binky]

Hybrid but no batteries? Import only?

Shower with no RCDs is a potential death trap.

Sounds like you've read a load of rose fertiliser on t'internet and are now confused. How about telling us exactly what you are trying to achieve, and post a few photos of your cu and incoming spd.

 

[UNG]

Hybrid but no batteries? Import only?

The whole explanation is a confusing mix

Shower with no RCDs is a potential death trap.

The OP does state 2 x 40A RCBO's for the showers

Sounds like you've read a load of rose fertiliser on t'internet and are now confused. How about telling us exactly what you are trying to achieve, and post a few photos of your cu and incoming spd.

I would agree, I'm not sure what the OP is trying to achieve

 

[Skipper]

I absolutely *will* have significant batteries, at no point did I say no batteries, I'm not sure where you got that impression, I didn't mention batteries as a hybrid inverter with no batteries would be a complete waste of time, I thought it was self evident, but for the sale of completeness, I will have around 16 kW of panels and about 30 kWh of storage (I am wavering between 26 kWh of new LiFePO4 in two banks of 280Ah at 48V ... or 50 kWh of EV battery and the usual emulator software) The panels will be angled for optimum winter insolation, I suspect I will add additional vertically hung bifacial panels in a north/south direction at some point to catch the morning/evenign peaks.

I have no plans/interest in supplying back to the grid, I can use all I produce and then some. The costs of MCS certification would extend the payback period considerably, not worth it for me.

Anyway, I digress ... now we've got that out of the way, and the second respondent has already picked up I specifically mentioned RCBO's for the two shower feeds ... does the rest sound right?

 

[binky]

I absolutely *will* have significant batteries, at no point did I say no batteries, I'm not sure where you got that impression, I didn't mention batteries as a hybrid inverter with no batteries would be a complete waste of time,

precisely

I thought it was self evident,

have you read some of the posts on here

I will have around 16 kW of panels and about 30 kWh of storage (I am wavering between 26 kWh of new LiFePO4 in two banks of 280Ah at 48V ... or 50 kWh of EV battery and the usual emulator software) The panels will be angled for optimum winter insolation, I suspect I will add additional vertically hung bifacial panels in a north/south direction at some point to catch the morning/evenign peaks.

OK, you will proabably need multiple inverters as I'm guessing from your description you have single phase supply. you would have a master and slave arrangement, do make sure the inverter can do this, as some cant.

Peak outputs are between 11am and 3pm same as getting sunburnt. You can get some additional morning and evening boost to the system, but outputs tend to be low. My own system will work until 10.30 in summer, but outputting a lowly 30W (OK its not really facing the right way for that, but...) So possibly better off focussing on larger array facing South and topping up batteries

I have no plans/interest in supplying back to the grid, I can use all I produce and then some. The costs of MCS certification would extend the payback period considerably, not worth it for me.

You can get export payments without MCS cert these days from the likes of Octopuss. You will need to notify DNO regardless, and your inverter will probably need export limitation, assuming single phase, - that generally needs a data cable from inverter(s) to the mains incoming point by the meter.

Anyway, I digress ... now we've got that out of the way, and the second respondent has already picked up I specifically mentioned RCBO's for the two shower feeds ... does the rest sound right?

Skim reading, my bad, but yes, given the additional loading of inverters etc, I think you would be pushing the existing board to its limits. Any particular reason for moving the showers off the old board?

 

[Murdoch]

Hum, octopus talk about fit without MCS but the ask for £250 to undertake your application.

 

[binky]

Hum, octopus talk about fit without MCS but the ask for £250 to undertake your application.

yep, but it's a lot chepaer than MCS registered contractor.

 

[Murdoch]

yep, but it's a lot chepaer than MCS registered contractor.

ah but hw long would i take me to recuperate the £250 ?

 

[binky]

ah but hw long would i take me to recuperate the £250 ?

Don't know, depends on the export and price paid for that.