Just received an email from wp about my solar install?

[Andy™]

One thing that pisses me off is all of the courses and schemes that are designed to ensure you are qualified. They're just a cash grab. Obviously get qualified, but there are too many 'clubs' which you have to join and pay a huge fee for pretty much nothing.

youre not wrong there

 

[steptoe]

If you can afford solar, then you should be able to afford the installation costs.

Exactly,
If you can't afford the installation costs, then you can't afford solar, it's part of the package.

It has been checked over by an electrician so safety isn't a concern in this case,

.

And this electrician is qualified and experienced in solar PV ?

 

[binky]

Harsh,? Maybe,?
But, is it true,?

"It's not what you say, it's the way that you say it " to quote my granny.

 

[binky]

Exactly,
If you can't afford the installation costs, then you can't afford solar, it's part of the package

If you could see some of the lash ups from so called installers I've repaired, you would probably install it yourself .

Electrically, it's rather simple. Any electrician who can read instructions should have no trouble...

 

[Gian]

It has been checked over by an electrician so safety isn't a concern in this case, but yes I have no experience whatsoever with the forms etc.

Times are tough and getting tougher. people will always try to save money where they can, it's always been the same.

One thing that pisses me off is all of the courses and schemes that are designed to ensure you are qualified. They're just a cash grab. Obviously get qualified, but there are too many 'clubs' which you have to join and pay a huge fee for pretty much nothing.

Nothing stopping you from doing your own system. I would just advise asking an electrician to check it over. Check wiring and it's protection. I had a professional company fit mine and they did it wrong. We have electricians and plumbers buying brakes and steering components for cars that's wrong as they are not qualified. But I am sure many are well capable as a diyer.

 

[steptoe]

If you could see some of the lash ups from so called installers I've repaired, you would probably install it yourself .

Electrically, it's rather simple. Any electrician who can read instructions should have no trouble...

And how many have we seen in a shared RCD,? to name but one item

 

[steptoe]

Nothing stopping you from doing your own system. .

Apart from the fact that most are notifiable under partP of the building regs, and most DIYers don't have the necessary knowledge or experience to test and certify the install.

 

[binky]

And how many have we seen in a shared RCD,? to name but one item

I've just lambasted a MCS registered installer for doing just that.

The customer complained, and the comment from the company was 'prove that it's dangerous'

 

[Murdoch]

A lot of the problems are created by the subcontracting done by registered companies.

Solar and PV are best avoided IMHO

Back to the OP's original question, surely WP will want to see the signed EIC too?

 

[ProDave]

I suspect part of the problem is the people processing your form. THEY are probably not qualified.

When I did my own, I sent everything, drawings, wiring diagrams, location plans etc details of equipment, and by return I got a "Disconnect this immediately and apply for a network upgrade"

It turned out they had seen "4000" in the inverter model number and assumed it could export 4kW and wanted to hit me with a network upgrade cost. They only accepted it when I forwarded them the inverter specification showing it did indeed limit the generation to 16A. THEY should have looked it up themselves and done their job properly.

Recently I met a neighbour who has about 6kW of PV. I asked him how he got that approved and what did they charge him for network upgrades? His reply was along the lines of "I keep hearing about this notification business but the installer that fitted this, didn't do that"

 

[Sinewaved]

I have explained that the inverter is limited to 3.68kw but didn't send the cert for the inverter as it's on the ena type test website but I may send it over with as many other documents as possible just to make sure they have everything they need.

I'm still waiting for a reply from Western power to see what the issue is/what else they require. Definitely think they will ask for the wiring diagram. I'm sure I'll get there in the end.

If I can't sort it out I'm going off grid.

 

[binky]

I have explained that the inverter is limited to 3.68kw but didn't send the cert for the inverter as it's on the ena type test website but I may send it over with as many other documents as possible just to make sure they have everything they need.

I'm still waiting for a reply from Western power to see what the issue is/what else they require. Definitely think they will ask for the wiring diagram. I'm sure I'll get there in the end.

If I can't sort it out I'm going off grid.

this is an over pretty version of what you need. You are suppossed to put a copy by your consumer unit as well, hence the pretty version for customers...

 

[Sinewaved]

Thanks Binky. That is perfect for me to complete my own diagram. Hopefully will stop pestering you guys now! Although....do you know anything about wood boilers? (Jk)

Thanks for all the help. Will update you when anything happens with WP. Cheers

 

[binky]

! Although....do you know anything about wood boilers? (Jk)

Coal fired Parkray with back boilers I do - it's what I grew up with

 

[binky]

Coal fired Parkray with back boilers I do - it's what I grew up with

price of wood is also rising fast as a lot comes form Eastern Europe...

 

[Sinewaved]

Yea, I planned for a rise in energy costs(not this much, gotta be a temporary spike surely) about 8 years ago and planted 1500 trees with the idea of getting a gasification boiler at a later date. Still using a basic wood burner to heat the home in winter. Keeps me fit processing all the wood and saves money on a gym membership

Half of the trees are poplar and are over 50 feet but half the energy of oak so a lot of sawing and loading but it only took 6 years for them to get to 40 feet (harvest size)from 4 inch sticks.

 

[Gian]

I suspect part of the problem is the people processing your form. THEY are probably not qualified.

When I did my own, I sent everything, drawings, wiring diagrams, location plans etc details of equipment, and by return I got a "Disconnect this immediately and apply for a network upgrade"

It turned out they had seen "4000" in the inverter model number and assumed it could export 4kW and wanted to hit me with a network upgrade cost. They only accepted it when I forwarded them the inverter specification showing it did indeed limit the generation to 16A. THEY should have looked it up themselves and done their job properly.

Recently I met a neighbour who has about 6kW of PV. I asked him how he got that approved and what did they charge him for network upgrades? His reply was along the lines of "I keep hearing about this notification business but the installer that fitted this, didn't do that"

I have an 8kw system and they did want an upgrade and it cost me £370 ish , they did not do any upgrades lol.

 

[binky]

Yea, I planned for a rise in energy costs(not this much, gotta be a temporary spike surely) about 8 years ago and planted 1500 trees with the idea of getting a gasification boiler at a later date. Still using a basic wood burner to heat the home in winter. Keeps me fit processing all the wood and saves money on a gym membership

Half of the trees are poplar and are over 50 feet but half the energy of oak so a lot of sawing and loading but it only took 6 years for them to get to 40 feet (harvest size)from 4 inch sticks.

I wish I had the space to plant 1500 trees .

I get logs for the woodburner from a fella who clears trees off roads. Climate change is increasing wind speeds and frequency of storms, so they shouldn't run out anytime soon.

Have you looked at the Centre for Alternative Technology website, they have a lot of knowledge about all things green. Not that you can't find lots of information on t'internet these days anyway.

 

[Sinewaved]

They only need just over 1.5 acres with a bit of extra space for the felling. My farther in law bought the field and the deal is I can use part of it to grow trees and he gets free processed wood for his log burner, luckily he doesn't use much.

Just checking out the website now, looks very interesting. Cheers.

 

[Admin 7]

@Sinewaved I read this thread with interest. Since it's being wired in for electricity are you just going to use your normal plugs and power things as if it were on the utility lines? Do you have a switch to convert from solar to line power?
And have you thought of solar water heating also? That is very effective if you get enough solar rays.

And best wishes on getting the paperwork pushers happy.