solar power hook up

[colin321]

Hi I am thinking of adding additional solar panels to my house there is a full system already installed on the roof with all the relevant invertors in place would I be able to add a second set of sixteen panels with there own invertors into the same fuse board as the first.  The second part of the question is I am going to have a lot of trouble getting back to the main fuse board in the house due to its position behind two walls and all the cables running in and out would I be able to connect the new panels into a 6mm armoured cable connected to an isolator which feeds a sunbed in the garage which is running off a 25 amp breaker and still run the sunbed on the same cable or would I have to disconnect the sunbed altogether or wire a separate isolator off the 6mm cable after I have wired in the solar panels just trying to save a load of hassle getting back into the main fuseboard as its the only thing putting me off getting more panels to cut down bills

 

[binky]

ok, the actual limitation is your grid connection - you need to talk to your local DNO about back-feeding more than 16Amps to the national grid. They will expect a G59 application to be made before you install the second system.

Put a mini DB at the sunbed end, at first even the NICEIC suggested connecting into a socket circuit, but that changed years ago. However I think that more to do with metering the generated electric accurately and avoiding issues with dodgy circuits. It is considered good practice to have solar on its own circuit.

 

[ProDave]

So your motivation is to "cut down bills"

Given that you already have probably about 4WK of solar PV, just what saving of bills do you expect by adding more?  If you use your large appliances wisely (on a timer if you are not there) during peak generation time, and have a diverter to use surplus PV to heat hot water, then adding extra PV sill not make a great deal of difference to your electricity usage.  And if you go for a full blown MCS installed system (which I guess you are not?) then the FIT rate is very low now so it's questionable if it's worth it.

As far as I can see, all you will achieve is exporting more at peak production, which you won't get paid for, and very little extra saving in your electricity bills.