Solar System Review

[Gian]

Hi,

I am currently having a solar system installed and would appreciate any feedback as some things don't sit right with me.

Some things I've noted:

1. I think there should be isolator switches between the inverter and solar panels?
2. I wanted the fuse box with the export meter to be installed in attic next to inverter with the rest of the equipment but was told it wasn't possible due to 3m distance requirement and that's why it's outside next to grid connection to house. The Inverter is on the same wall/side of the house and directly above the outdoor meter boxes. Is this right or could it have all been installed in attic?
3. I wouldn't think running the solar input cables behind the inverter is acceptable?

I'd like to know if these installers have done a professional job?

Thanks.

Was it your choice to fit the equipment in the loft. I would never recommend this and more so with battery's. Unless you make it very ventilated. My system was put in by a company in the loft if I could turn back the clock it would not have been put in the loft. I have had 3 battery failures an inverter and controller all in summer periods. It was the heat. I now have installed a rimmed fan so all the electronics and battery have an circulated airflow .next year I intended to move them into an X gpo box which will be on an out side wall ground level. Just sharing my experience.

 

[binky]

Was it your choice to fit the equipment in the loft. I would never recommend this and more so with battery's. Unless you make it very ventilated. My system was put in by a company in the loft if I could turn back the clock it would not have been put in the loft. I have had 3 battery failures an inverter and controller all in summer periods. It was the heat. I now have installed a rimmed fan so all the electronics and battery have an circulated airflow .next year I intended to move them into an X gpo box which will be on an out side wall ground level. Just sharing my experience.

attics are not my location of choice for those very reasons. One thing I will say, batteries don't like getting cold either. The Tesla powerwall can be mounted externally, but that has built in heaters to keep the batteries cushty.

 

[revjames]

Just reviewed the solar system and seems fine. All planets revolving in their orbits around the sun....

 

[roys]

I wanted them to install all the breakers and export meter using the spare 4 redundant places in my main consumer unit in the house but they said they couldn't do it. Would have been neat.

They did right keeping them separate, it is for the best as it stops any issues with your main consumer unit RCD tripping times being effected by the inverter back feeding it.

 

[Murdoch]

If the OPs original board could accept a RCBO that would have been ok.

I’m wondering why the new board has 2 circuits

 

[roys]

Would have taken a fair bit of board modification as it is a dual RCD board.

If the OPs original board could accept a RCBO that would have been ok.

 

[Murdoch]

Would have taken a fair bit of board modification as it is a dual RCD board.

Fair point but often those boards can accept a RCBO before the first RCD

 

[Cr4zySmurf]

Was it your choice to fit the equipment in the loft. I would never recommend this and more so with battery's. Unless you make it very ventilated. My system was put in by a company in the loft if I could turn back the clock it would not have been put in the loft. I have had 3 battery failures an inverter and controller all in summer periods. It was the heat. I now have installed a rimmed fan so all the electronics and battery have an circulated airflow .next year I intended to move them into an X gpo box which will be on an out side wall ground level. Just sharing my experience.

Yes, I didn't want any of the equipment visible on the outside of my house and no suitable space on the inside of the house. The attic seemed the best option. I could install a vent with fan in the wall above the inverter if I find that the temperature is affecting the device. I could measure the temperature on the hottest days and compare them to the operating temperatures in the manual to make sure they're acceptable.

 

[Geoff1946]

My invertor is in the loft, screwed to a structural brick wall. I did ask the installer to put it there, mainly as I didn't want it fixed to woodwork, but I suspect they would have done it that way anyway, as the wall is immediately above the consumer unit.
I became concerned about its operating temperature a couple of years ago, after a discussion on this forum, and (temporarily) positioned a centrifugal fan to drive ambient air over the heatsink. The fan is on a timeswitch and only operated in hot weather.
Presently, I'm hopeful that this arrangement will give me a reasonable invertor life BUT I have wondered if I should duct in some "cold" outdoor air. Has anyone done anything like that?

 

[roys]

My inverter is in the attic mounted on brick wall and has had no issues with over temp, had other issues but that’s another story.
Noticed that my loft is a lot cooler since the install of the panels.

 

[Murdoch]

Interestingly our loft hasn’t got so hot in the summer since I put the panels on

 

[Gian]

They did right keeping them separate, it is for the best as it stops any issues with your main consumer unit RCD tripping times being effected by the inverter back feeding it.

I have been to several jobs where tripping has occured systems a good few years old. I always check with the manufacturer recommendations and how supervised I was when they advised that they use 100ma RCD in which case I had to revert to a separate cu. I now always don't assume I always call the inverter manufacturer to confirm there recommendations.

 

[Murdoch]

Unless you have cable installations that require I would omit rcd protection on solar installations

 

[Barx]

@Cr4zySmurf Well, this post, along with your other one regarding the panels does not paint a good picture of the installers. Unfortunately, this happens all too often. Half the 'solar installers' are retrained window fitters, roofers, etc. Seen some very shoddy work over the recent years and I am also seeing the same happening with the likes of EV chargers and ASHP. Installs just thrown in to get on to the next one as quick as. Not only do I feel bad for the customers, it also puts ME off getting involved with these technologies as I simply don't want to be part of the lash it in gang...
I really hope it gets finished off to an acceptable level for you.

 

[binky]

Interestingly our loft hasn’t got so hot in the summer since I put the panels on

Your array covers most of your roof, which will make a significant difference to loft temperature.

 

[Cr4zySmurf]

@Cr4zySmurf Well, this post, along with your other one regarding the panels does not paint a good picture of the installers. Unfortunately, this happens all too often. Half the 'solar installers' are retrained window fitters, roofers, etc. Seen some very shoddy work over the recent years and I am also seeing the same happening with the likes of EV chargers and ASHP. Installs just thrown in to get on to the next one as quick as. Not only do I feel bad for the customers, it also puts ME off getting involved with these technologies as I simply don't want to be part of the lash it in gang...
I really hope it gets finished off to an acceptable level for you.

Thanks, yes the installer is not the one I ordered my system from, but one that was subcontracted and I only found out when they arrived on site. They're actually a central heating specialist that's been doing solar for the past 12 months and this was their first job for the company I ordered from (probably their last too). I am very disappointed with the lack of experience/professionalism and glad that I haven't yet paid for them and don't plan to until everything is put right. I am going to request that the rest of the work is done by another company that's an established reputable solar specialist.

 

[binky]

Thanks, yes the installer is not the one I ordered my system from, but one that was subcontracted and I only found out when they arrived on site. They're actually a central heating specialist that's been doing solar for the past 12 months and this was their first job for the company I ordered from (probably their last too). I am very disappointed with the lack of experience/professionalism and glad that I haven't yet paid for them and don't plan to until everything is put right. I am going to request that the rest of the work is done by another company that's an established reputable solar specialist.

F******* pipe stranglers .

We had this problem during the initial solar boom. Any ******** prepared to get on a roof was being employed to meet demand. I would consider complaining to the MCS if they don't give a suitable response

 

[Gian]

@Cr4zySmurf Well, this post, along with your other one regarding the panels does not paint a good picture of the installers. Unfortunately, this happens all too often. Half the 'solar installers' are retrained window fitters, roofers, etc. Seen some very shoddy work over the recent years and I am also seeing the same happening with the likes of EV chargers and ASHP. Installs just thrown in to get on to the next one as quick as. Not only do I feel bad for the customers, it also puts ME off getting involved with these technologies as I simply don't want to be part of the lash it in gang...
I really hope it gets finished off to an acceptable level for you.

I agree , no pride in jobs just £££ . It is such a shame. I have had to return to systems years down the road and they have faulted just because no thought has gone into the install. Quick in and out. Most are bad joints and cables not being secured causing rubbing against metal due to wind. They were apparently proper company's. I think it's how the installers are trained ,they don't think just fit. Many use labourers we'll be it they are supervised but as you know they are not.

 

[BorisJ]

did they install that small fuseboard as part of the installation ?

have they provided certificates and if you’re in England or Wales part p stuff ?

It is NOT a fuseboard. It has no fuses.

 

[BorisJ]

Yes they did install that fuseboard as part of installation.

It is NOT a fuseboard. It has no fuses.