15. Solar panel installation on my canal narrowboat (2 x 240W Panasonic)

[@Enzo187]

im a man in america, with no boat, no solar panels, yet im watching this.

[@MargaretLeber]

I can't explain it either. But here I am.

[@markdarlington9914]

why do i like very simple. A,B,C Accuracy,Brevity and Clarity keep up the good work and thank you

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers!

[@DavidM2002]

Your installer not only did a nice job, but he used very nice quality hardware. Button head cap screws no less. Stainless steel. Proper marine stuff. Same with the sealant.

[@jameschristie4596]

Exactly. So many solar installations on boats and RV's are done by hacks using poor quality components. Those stainless steel panel brackets really impressed me.

[@MrLejog]

Another excellent vlog, thanks for sharing. "Glazing the bores" is definitely the phrase of the day and I'm determined to work it into casual conversation at some point today.

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Jakealoo Haha, award youself a plate of chocolate digestives if you do :-)

[@MrLejog]

+CruisingTheCut I'm clarifying my Christmas dinner duties with a relative and it's a shame we're not from Papua New Guinea as I was thinking I might get away with "Shall I be glazing the boars again this year?"

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@jefff6167]

I am also a man in America with no boat and I thoroughly enjoy this channel.

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀

[@robvannNS]

Retired technical teacher here and just wanted to say that's a very professional installation right down to using a polyurethane sealant and not the usual silicone. Enjoying the relaxed pace of the series.. I suppose that might have something to do with narrowboat culture.

[@CruisingTheCut]

He's a good bloke, Simon, although Sikaflex is pretty standard on boats. Thanks for watching :-)

[@robvannNS]

Here in Canada Sikaflex seems to have been replaced with US made 3M 5200.. Most here unfortunately go for the much cheaper silicone and pay for it later on.

[@malcolmelliott1876]

Only problem with Sikaflex is the shelf life if not kept at cool, constant, temperature. the new 3M products are more robust and just as good.

[@terrystephens1102]

Very wise, know your limitations and hire an expert - can’t argue with that logic. A nice, neat professional job 👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@noodlesmason]

War of the world's quote not wasted, another brilliant video, thankyou, Merry Christmas.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha, I wondered if anyone would notice that! Award yourself a star. Merry Christmas to you too!

[@kev8322]

he has a henry hoover and everything I literally spat my coffee out hahaha... I'm moving to a boat within the next few months I find you vlogs very useful and funny a lot of little things I never thought of so thanks I may b a little more prepared now! :-)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you ;-) Hope all goes smoothly for you in your move aboard. Cheers

[@anthonywilmot9301]

I'am a wanna be Narrowboater & love all to do with the canals......i think your posts are brilliant,very informative and a joy to watch....well done & thankyou...Tony

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Game Cast: RW Thanks Tony!

[@drindajacobs5278]

I miss your vĺoģs over the past years, so i have started at #1 i am enjoying them. I also enjoy the newer vlogs very educational. You got me hooked on narròwboating. Thank you.

[@jc10907Sealy]

Love the "War of the Worlds" reference

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@happysporran]

From a recent (ie today) subscriber, I'd just like to say I'm finding your channel both entertaining and useful...positively Reithian in scope and execution! It seems I have 6 or so years of your back catalogue to enjoy. I'll no doubt pop up now and again with the occasional comment, safe in the knowledge that it'll help with the KZbin algorithms. Many thanks.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you and welcome along 😀

[@luistavares6670]

Hi mate, I discover your videos about NARROWBOAT ´S I simply love it, I am watching you in Brasil, keep the videos coming up, all the best and have fun.

[@CruisingTheCut]

+luis tavares Thank you! Glad you like the videos :-)

[@Valerabel]

I watched the video randomly, now I look clearly in order, starting with the first one, I plan to view everything. Тhese Sanyo/Panasonic panels are still available for purchase, but they already have more powerful.

[@michaelpilling9659]

Best to get an expert in for jobs like this. Looks a superb installation and the efficiency is incredible. A very wise decision David. Super video - very interesting

[@charliewilson4670]

Solar panels got to be a must Awesome job ☺👍

[@shannonboat2082]

Another fantastic and informative video. Solar is a project for next year for us so great to get a clear overview of what's involved. Once again thank you!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you liked it and thanks for the tweet!

[@graemearbuckle9410]

Excellent series I started watching at episode 205. Now back to the very beginning and watching from episode 1. BZ (Navy talk for "well done")!

[@ludochem]

your blog is a goldmine !

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you.

[@fiddlesticks9887]

I know it's a bit late to comment on this video, but, great title and I love the Martian reference 👍👍

[@contrafax]

Quieter, cheaper in the long run and better for the environment. Good on you.

[@gordslater]

Glazing the boars sounds quite tasty to me

[@Kat69nh]

Ok binge watching. Enjoy the information. Watching different narrow boat vlogs. Get more information on different sites. Thank you

[@anthonybiancone3780]

"Buttock Clenshingly Terrifying" Had me on the floor. STOP the Tape. What did he say? The entertainment value is priceless. Especially to a Yank.

[@MargaretLeber]

Pucker factor is a well-known aviation phenomenon.

[@peter9180]

I have just had a blitz on your videos and found those on the cost, very interesting and many thanks.

[@Timbershades]

A particularly useful episode. I have ordered a boat which is currently being built and asked the boatyard to install the necessary cabling to implement a solar solution later, including those to the panel where the inverter is being installed so that a solar charge controller may easily be added. This makes a lot of sense as it avoids troublesome threading of thick cabling after the fitting out. This episode correctly suggests solar panels on an 'A' frame allowing one to tilt the panels towards the best available light which is in contract to some heavily marketed flat/curved panels for a narrow boat.

[@CruisingTheCut]

If you can be bothered to do the tilting ;-)

[@Obi-111]

Not only are these videos entertaining, but they are teaching as well! Didnt know the diesel engines dont like to be ran idle. Im buying a steel boat with most likely a diesel engine sometime in the future, so thanks for the information! Atb from Finland!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Lots of boaters do it but it causes bore glazing in the cylinders, I'm reliably told. Cheers!

[@robinbanks183]

Best canal/narrowboat videos i've watched very informative and entertaining at the same time. Keep them coming ***********

[@CruisingTheCut]

I'll do my best! Cheers

[@andydelarue9344]

Morning Dave , thanks for that , now binge watch near your whole lot and also letting the adds run as well . Keep safe and apart and keep them coming .

[@freedomnsurvival8472]

I am really enjoying your channel, you make great videos and you have a genuine enthusiasm. It would be great if you could make some longer ones of you out on the cut, but I expect you are waiting for the spring. Though nice quality videos, and very educational for a future boatman. I appreciate your work.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you. There will be more "out on the cut" videos before spring, just jaunts I'm taking with friends as they come to visit and see my new life - but then come the spring I'll be out full time cruising around all over the place so the videos will be all about life on the cut. Cheers.

[@kernowfairy]

Loving your life on your narrow boat...l can see why you love it, it's tranquil, idyllic and beautiful....always appealed to e... My friend has just bought one and invited e to join him for a trip so after seeing your blogs, am keen to join him and see what it's like. Thanks for your insight, you have and avid fan and follower...Monnie

[@CruisingTheCut]

Excellent, thank you!

[@peterlecount5021]

interesting film, thanks and happy boating, Merry Christmas....

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Peter Lecount Thanks. Happy Christmas to you too!

[@drewnield2915]

We will definitely be getting solar panels as my partner is a dress maker so we will need the extra power

[@TonySaxby]

Great vid my friend very useful info, i shall follow suit in the spring.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@dennisporter753]

First time watching the installation of the solar panels . Very cool... Cheers!

[@Gunninator]

Awesome video. Like the reference to war of the worlds

[@HeiwaPaz2000]

Excellent presentation of how the solar panels work. I am learning a lot with your videos.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks!

[@raymondyoung95]

Merry christmass to you and thank you for you videos Raymond

[@CruisingTheCut]

+RAYMOND YOUNG And you too!

[@Rkk153]

Clean energy professional solar panel installation. Thank for the information.

[@Nando_]

I bet that was the best thing you ever done for making easier your boat life

[@CruisingTheCut]

Absolutely. Solar was a "must have"

[@jameschristie4596]

If you run a diesel at low rpm, the piston rings do not clean the cylinder walls the same as they do at high rpm. The result is that the cylinder walls become smooth. A smooth cylinder wall means the piston rings do not seal as good against the cylinders and the engine has a lower compression ratio, which means it will have less power and burn more fuel. It is the same as when an engine is new, you first run the engine at lower rpms so not to damage the cylinder walls and piston rings as they wear into each other, and then you do not run the engine at the same rpm for an extended period of time so the cylinders and rings do not wear in at one fixed speed. This would also lower the compression ratio, thereby reducing efficiency as well as the serviceable life expectancy of the engine.

[@oxenforde]

00:40 And, like a Martian, "... I've been turning envious eyes towards them". LOL Laughed myself silly on that line. (You get bonus points for the obscure reference.)

[@jcderby129]

War of the worlds reference?

[@sallerc]

@ 1:55 "run the engine in idle, but it's not good for the engine" and... most importantly, it's not good for the environment! Sorry, couldn't resist :) Glad you installed solar panels.

[@0HARE]

Thanks for another interesting episode. This looks like a nice clean install, and was very well presented. Happy Trails!

[@stevewakefield981]

Loving your videos, excellent work and some great boating ideas too. Really appreciate you sharing your experiences. Have a great New Year!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers Steve, glad you like them. All the best for 2016!

[@karenfay4545]

There are a considerable number of Sicoflex. Recommend specifying the Sicoflex used the next time you need to use sticky grunge. 😀

[@davidbagley1783]

I love solar..I bought the 3048 Flex all in one Outback with eight 375 watt panels..

[@deevalkyrie]

Nice job! Until funds are in I'll be on a trickle charge panel for my batteries but I have so little draw on them I should get away with it for a bit. Looking forward to paneling up too :) Merry Christmas

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you! I'd quite like to add another smaller panel for the starter battery, as those ones are just for the leisure bank. It certainly wasn't cheap; those "slimline" panels were a lot costlier than similar-wattage ones that were 1m wide but I wanted the extra walkway space. Perhaps Santa will bring you some panels down the chimney?! Happy Christmas to you too!

[@joannapocock6055]

Have a fantastic christmas

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you Joanna; you too!

[@170166]

Very informative. I've subbed to the channel and am trying to follow from episode 1. Looking good so far.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Excellent, thank you!

[@mtxict]

In addition to solar panels, I also got a 'smartgauge' - a pricey but simple state-of-charge meter. It basically displays a % of the battery's capacity based on some logarithm-thingy-me-jig. Don't know exactly how it worked, but it did work and meant I always knew when the solar had done enough to charge the batteries during the day, and when I needed to run the engine (and for how long). Plus there's the satisfaction of getting home on a sunny day to find it displaying 100% thanks to the panels.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I'm very interested to hear about that as I've been considering getting one. So you really rate it? I have to go just by voltage at present.

[@mtxict]

I definitely rate it. There's a degree of guesswork involved in using voltage readings which is eliminated. You can also be certain that your battery doesn't drop below, say 75% capacity, and if you ever need to run the engine to charge them up, you'll know when the batts are full and you can shut it off.

[@mtxict]

Enjoying your videos very much, btw. :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

+mtxict Thanks!

[@CruisingTheCut]

+mtxict OK, definitely worth investing in then. And I'll make a video about it too :-)

[@JeghedderThomas]

Super cool technology, solar thingies, yeps. Love it.

[@plebpunk]

Good vid! Very informative, and interesting, and well presented 😊

[@Michael._The_Storyteller]

Very helpful. I have a little envy of your lifestyle.

[@davyspilani1231]

Gonna be building my own boat next year,, get the shell made a d fit the inside out myself.. Thanks for the vids, I'm gonna need them.

[@CruisingTheCut]

You might like to also take a look at Narrowboat Zero Gravity who are doing their own fit-out, and also Narrowboat Helen (though that boat's since been sold, the channel describes the fit out up to that point)

[@stephenjordan1271]

great effort, really useful information

[@derekjohnson3038]

Great piece. There was a superb moving shot where you saw the solar panels on a neighbouring boat as you cruised by. How did you achieve such a superb result with a crisp picture, great colour balance and perfect framing?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks. It started out as a terrible shot, taken by a mate who'd come to visit who has no camera skills whatsoever. Luckily, after I did a lot of cropping, stabilisation and colour correcting in the editing phase, it came out just about passable.

[@alloutofbubblegum8165]

I love your videos! they are done very well and very amusing. please keep up the excellent work. very informative in regards to your solar panel solution. one thing i would like to add in regards to generators have you looked into one's that are propane powered? we have those over here in the states plus some companies make conversion kits to turn petrol units into one's that run off of propane. I have subscribed and i will be looking forward to more videos in the future have a pleasant day and stay dry.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you. Yes I think a lot of the petrol generators can be converted to propane and given that I have propane onboard it could make a lot of sense. Something I intend to look into in the future. Cheers

[@narrowboatapostrophe6120]

hi David, going back through some of your vlogs, been onto Midsummer they seem very helpful, and I will contact Simon about fitting, I'll tell him you said so, been all through e bay, but cant find the A frame brackets - I know loads of boats have that type of bracket for solar panels so I'll find them eventually. Survey tomorrow!!! then the fun starts

[@CruisingTheCut]

Crossed fingers for you :-)

[@DavidGCroft]

Have you done a Vlog of going through a lock single-handed. That would be really interesting.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes, it's on my channel.

[@andyhoward4090]

really comprehensive & informative with sense of humour that compels one to watch. only 1 drawbach, not enough vlogs. you must keep them coming throught the year. one question, how oo you manage to oomute & work? will oou stay permanently in a marina?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you. Trying my best but each vlog takes really quite a long time to assemble, shoot, script, edit, render etc. I quit my job, see Vlog 1.

[@razz719]

Marvellous !! we are about to lob some on the top so this was most informative :-)

[@peterhendry2154]

Clear cold sunny days in winter will give you lots of solar as there is less moisture between you and the sun and the panels are nice and cold but any free power is a plus.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Sunny days any time give me lots of solar with this array ;-) A pity we get so few clear sunny days in winter though :-(

[@CruisingTheCut]

Maybe. Depends on the wind, of course. Also quite costly, noisy (rattly) and you have to take em down and put em up each time you move.

[@JohnDickinson]

"Glazing the Boars", I think that was a lesson in the culinary school. But I believe its a build up that occurs in diesel engines at lower temps.

[@pauldixon9327]

its bores not boars, not a build up, it polishes cylinder bores, cauing loss of compresion and engine will burn more oil

[@emilchandran546]

paul dixon it was a joke, don’t know what good a bore would be in culinary school.

[@hanskniezand2049]

Diesel engines like to be worked hard and given a damn good thrashing, but not in the Basil Fawlty sense of the word.

[@martynsutton330]

At 39 seconds can suggest, purchasing a water proof box for the shore line connection, if you haven’t already Ave of course

[@labarone8910]

Why would you want to waterproof a waterproof connection???

[@mrspursman1957]

Very good, easy to understand video. Thanks.

[@mischef18]

Solar panels are coming down in price all the time here in NZ same with all the gear needed to operate them although the batteries seam to be going up in price.

[@scoopypigeon1694]

"Ham-fisted numpty". God bless the British. 😆

[@for.tax.reasons]

"Like a Martian I've been turning envious eyes on them" masterful

[@Caderic]

It took me a second (lituraly 1) to realize he meant martian=green, green with envy. It was pure genus!!!

[@KrikkitWarlord]

@@Caderic I took it as the famous quote from War of the Worlds: "Yet across the gulf of space, minds that are to our minds as ours are to those of the beasts that perish, intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic, regarded this earth with envious eyes, and slowly and surely drew their plans against us."

[@CruisingTheCut]

@KrikkitWarlord Yes, that's correct

[@Caderic]

@@KrikkitWarlord Well, I have been enlightened. Thank you!!! I am not one of literature as much as I am of science (and religion), but I am trying to broaden my horizon.

[@escapefelicity2913]

You're right that idling a diesel is NG. Id you make choices another day on another boat, consider a generator, like Honda EU2000i. You can run it on propane or cooking gas etc. Cheaper, cleaner & safer than petrol.

[@The_Arby]

Great idea and interesting video mate :-)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@ohbobpleez]

Some time ago I read, “it’s better to work a low power engine than to go slow with a higher powered one.” I didn’t know anything about bore glazing a half hour ago but apparently: Diesel engines prefer to run above 60% designed load, it keeps the pressure in the engine up. There are machined grooves in the cylinder walls that hold and transport oil downward. When the engine idles too much the pressure drops and carbon and un-burned fuel mix and fill the grooves [glazing]. If you ignore glazing the carbon&fuel becomes an abrasive, polishing the bore, destroying it within. Wikipedia.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Wikipedia is a marvellous thing (sometimes!). Ta!

[@michaelb2388]

Bore glazing by idling diesel engines is a bit of a myth. If can happen on older diesels but if modern engines are filled with the correct grade and API specification of oil then it doesn't happen. You want API CC or above.

[@AKUJIVALDO]

Except his engine is old.

[@JxH]

The angle is a bit low, considering that you're in the UK. Probably a bit of cosine diminishment. But if it's good enough, then it's good enough.

[@AngeliqueKaga]

Thanks John, nice video

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hi, it’s David :-)

[@timjones6255]

CruisingTheCut No, it's Rodney 😆

[@bowesproject2304]

yes going to work that out next week for power usage adult suppose you have the name of the company you got your solar panel kit from you've been a great help keep them awesome videos coming

[@CruisingTheCut]

I got all the bits from Midsummer Energy, www.midsummerenergy.co.uk

[@Liofa73]

Tilted up closer to 80° in winter, you should be able to get much better efficiency. Not great in high winds of course!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes they'd be more efficient but there's still bugger all actual sun in winter and the hours of daylight are much shorter so overall not worth the effort. Even double or triple of the 1-2A they'd get flat is still sod all.

[@midsummerenergy1526]

Hi David - Guilty! It was us at Midsummer Energy in Cambridge that supplied you with your full solar kit. What a thorough and brilliant video highlighting the simplicity of the installation. Here is the updated version of this kit on our website: midsummerenergy.co.uk/buy/solar-panel-kits/Panasonic-245W-solar-victron-kit

[@CruisingTheCut]

It was indeed. Got any super deals going on a semi-flexible 100/150W panel for my van conversion, eh? ("Vandemonium" channel on KZbin)

[@midsummerenergy1526]

We sure have! Take a look here: midsummerenergy.co.uk/buy/solar-panel-kits/Flexisun-120W-Kit or give us a call on 01223 858414

[@carolynejayne8904]

I maybe interested in a couple of these, who do you recommend installing? Thanks Carolyne

[@clinkencrew1806]

After all the usage of feet and miles in other videos , I was a bit surprised by the ole meters and centimeters cropping up in this one.

[@CruisingTheCut]

The panels are made in metric!

[@SpiritBear12]

Have you given any thought about wind power? I notices at the marina where my father has his sail boat, lots of other people have small wind mills generating power. This might be handy for your sunless winters if you get enough wind. The more ways to make some power, the better, esp if you live on your boat. My father only uses shore line power, no solar or wind, but he doesn't live on his boat at all.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thought about it, some boaters do have it but it's costly and can apparently be quite rattly and noisy when it's going full tilt, despite soft mountings. And you have to take it down every time you want to travel (so the boat will fit under bridges etc).

[@SpiritBear12]

CruisingTheCut Ah, I wondered about the height of it. Most of them are mounted high on the sail boats which of course doesn't matter out on the bay. Wasn't sure if it would work well enough if it was only a couple of feet above the roof of the boat. Yes, some of them do rattle and worse, the vibration can be heard through the roof of the boat and can drive you nuts when you're inside. Maybe it would not be so bad if it was mounted on the bow of the boat. But if it just wont work well there's no use trying to mount one any where.

[@georgelawrance8370]

Like a Martian turning envious eye's....oh brilliant... Had me laughing out loud again

[@peternorth2644]

Interesting video.

[@TheBoatFamilyxx]

Finally a video without gobbledygook language 🤣. Just about to sort out solar but with the help of clever electrically minded friends we're doing it ourselves. Better go buy some gloopy stuff 🤣

[@MidnightVisions]

Your comment on diesel engines idling, yes if you idle a diesel engine for more than ten minutes the fuel breaks down into boracic acid and corrodes the metal. diesel engines need to work under a load to help it run properly and avoid these issues.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I had no idea what the actual process was; very interesting. Cheers

[@thewebtutorguy]

Excellent. Its now September 2017 so many months since you made this vlog. Are you still living on board? I guess I could skip and go right to your last vlog but I'm enjoying the adventure as in unfolds.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I am. Keep watching! :-)

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Ive just come back to watch this, as in January I'm going to install solar on our boat. My question is this, with your new found DIY skills and hindsight, do you wish you'd of fitted the solar yourself? after all it looked a lot less daunting than cutting holes in a van to install windows. Oh one more thing, did you by all the solar items as a kit, and if so could you recommend a supplier Thanks in advance Mark

[@CruisingTheCut]

I don't think I'd have been comfortable drilling the holes in the roof for the panel brackets as this required very precise measuring and tapping out the holes. Everything else I could have done, yes.

[@michaelcoker3197]

Our diesels are never shut down. Trucks run forever, if certified for clean idle.

[@misteryuk6080]

Nice pampers

[@AngeliqueKaga]

I liked this video!

[@hanskarbe4448]

Excellent information. Where did you the interesting brackets? They are perfect for a boat.

[@CruisingTheCut]

The panel brackets were from eBay but they're very standard for this kind of application, lots of people selling them.

[@borderreiver3288]

what do you use for internet connection when not in the marina....have seen fold away dishes.....but what is the reception like for mobile phone or using a computer.....

[@tribblemuncher]

enjoyed the video. Just wondering if you can have the solar panels charging and the shore power connected? Does this "confuse" the chargers?

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Will J Yes, they're both connected. Don't ask me how but apparently they just sort each other out and get on with it! Seems like magic to me.

[@Bodragon]

(2:55) - well, of course you are going to want your panels installed at an angle. If for any reason other than they are not flat and gathering dirt. Now, the perfect angle for a house would be the south facing gable of a roof, but since you are constantly on the move, do not have them fixed but addustable. At least to a degree. This guy is such a newb, I really want to reach out to hold his hand. But I am commenting in March 2020 and this video was made way back in December 2015. Oh well... >

[@CruisingTheCut]

A lot of boats actually have the panels fixed flat, perfectly satisfactorily, for ease of travel (no need to adjust for low bridges etc); yes, it's not optimal in terms of solar performance but is often quite sufficient for the boat's requirements.

[@peter9180]

It would be good to know the pricing of your various expenses such as your mooring, the solar panels etc.

[@CruisingTheCut]

See my later videos about costs

[@justinthomas8277]

Hi. Great video again. Not sure you realise but an American firm called San Diego Solar have already uploaded your vlog onto their website to advertise Panasonic (Sanyo) panels.....?

[@CruisingTheCut]

I did not know this. That's rather cheeky, if they've copied it rather than simply embedding it from KZbin. I will take a look. Thanks

[@CruisingTheCut]

OK, found it. They've embedded it so I still get the views recorded they're not trying to pass it off or anything so that's fine I reckon.

[@servehome]

hi I like your vids about your panels will it produce power for 240v for electrical goods like tv and kettles ect

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes, through an inverter. Watch my video called "power mad", I explain it there!

[@chriswellstead776]

Ok great blogs, very interesting etc, etc, but what did the solar panels and fitting them cost?

[@CruisingTheCut]

It depends how many panels you have, what type, what sort of controller. You can spend anything from £500-£1500 ish, including installation.

[@spodface12]

another grand video, just a question is there any good place too look for surveyors and electricians and such ?

[@CruisingTheCut]

There's no single good source, unfortunately. It's a case of asking around, reading the forums and suchlike and then using your own gut feeling!

[@joerogers4227]

MPPT means Maximum Power Point. More efficent to the solar panels.