DIY Solar Project 2023, What I Did Wrong + Updates

This is 'What I Did Wrong + Updates, for my Grid-Tie DIY Solar Project in the UK. Taking you through all the bits I got wrong in the initial install, and what I did to correct them. Plus, an update on how the system is doing, and how much energy it is actually producing.
Octopus Energy referal Link (We both get £50 credit):
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[@mikeatyouttube]

Well done for doing a DIY solar install. I've installed 5 DIY solar systems (some MCS certified, some not) so here are a things I noticed in your install: 1) Even though Solax say an attic inverter install is OK, still, electronic components don't really like getting hot :( 1.1) In previous video you showed twin and earth near the inverter (when it was outside) but really you should use stranded 2.5mm^2 or 4mm^2 for the plug connection to the inverter. 1.2) The red AC disconnect switch should really be close to the inverter (rather than in the CU cupboard) - the disconnect switch is a good location to go from twin and earth to flexible stranded cable to the inverter's plug 1.3) You should have an air gap all around the inverter 2) When you look at failures of solar installs, so often they originate at wire connections - namely the AC and particularly DC shut-off switches. I know you just put it on, but the DC disconnect is not really needed - and it is a potential point of failure and the inverter already has one. Because you're a DIYer, you have time to wait until the evening to connect or disconnect the solar DC wires. When I've adjusted the DC side, I've either waited for night, a cloudy day or just covered the panels with sheets. You'll still measure voltage (when covering with sheets) but there'll be little current flowing. 3) in your CU - I assume you have the panels on a separate 20A MCU circuit? 4) Your roof rafters look in good shape. Next part of project... put the panels on the roof? This is an entirely possible DIY job - no scaffolding required - just several ladders, safety ropes and a buddy. Your roof faces south-south-east which is pretty good and it look like modern tile (not slate) and not too steep(?). Check my channel for a video on how I helped a neighbour install his panels on his 2-story house. 5) 2 more weeks of city plumbing sale prices. Nab a solar roof rail system etc - the prices are really good. Free next-day delivery - what's not to like?

[@shawng5799]

I watched your first video and that put me onto those panels. I have just bought 2 for £93 each. That is the same as I paid for secondhand 3 years ago.😳I did the same shower swap a few years ago. This summer however I took the cable from that shower breaker, and put a 32amp commando socket on it in the garage. I can now plug in a 7kw EV charger and charge my daughters car when she visits.

[@EverydayLife621]

Thanks for the heads up on the new low price - cheers

[@EverydayLife621]

Great content, just done something similar with those panels, to complement battery storage installed last year. We’re trying to optimise for winter so have the panels 70 degrees against the fence at present. Over those days got 4 kW max and 1.8 kW min (11th oct)

[@robertjones5395]

interesting to see your Home assistant setup you have used. Great video

[@minualunel9629]

Put my inverter under the panels, of course mine are installed portret mode and I have acces from below. Plus I've only connected 5 panels out of six as they were way more powerful than I thought, used the 6th panel to power some fans and lighting, and to charge a 500wh battery for night lighting.

[@gslongdistance]

Very informative video, Kev. Thank you. So am I right that you can commission the Solax inverter yourself (or your electrician). They do not have to be a certified Solax installer with a secret installer code like some equipment (eg Givenergy)?

[@khocha47]

good solar setup. you didn't explain the grid-feeding step where you need to get a reverse meter, application process and cost etc.

[@EverydayLife621]

It was all in the 1st vlog

[@khocha47]

@@EverydayLife621 No it wasn't. i watched that whole video but no mention of how he got the grid-feeding application approved and cost involved

[@malpracticesurf]

I've done it just fill out the G98 form your DNO has and say 'Self installed' you need to provide all the details, make model capacity, an electrical schematic and the G98 type test certificate for your inverter/microinverters, there is no cost involved. @@khocha47

[@m23605]

@@khocha47 Very hard to get an electrician to just swing by and certify a DIYer's work. Probably one of his mates did it for him.

[@malpracticesurf]

I've got six of the exact same Longi 405W panels on my garage roof, but went down the Enphase iq7+ microinverter route. More expensive but I wanted the flexibility of adding to it later on another roof or taking it to a different property if I moved. Its working well, so well i'm now looking into the Octopus no MCS certificate feed in. I need to get building control approval somehow, just looking into that now. 11.8kwh is the best in one day so far since all six panels were up from the beginning of October. More energy than I know what to do with on sunny days. Also I do have an AC isolator and export meter as that is required I believe.

[@mikeatyouttube]

The Octopus non-MCS SEG is still not up and running yet, it seems. I got an email saying they're still going to charge £250 for the privilege and it's not guaranteed they will accept your application - and then they only give back £150 of the fee. The alternative is to go down the battery storage route, which, as time goes on, is becoming more viable, cost-wise. Have you filled in the DNO form? So long as your system is small, this seems like a rubberstamp operation : my G98 DIY install was OKed within 24 hours. (Your mileage may vary depending on your network operator.) Re-Enphase : I've never used micro inverters - and I assume you attached the inverters to the underside of the panels and ran 240V on to the roof? I wonder if you considered putting the inverters in the safety and cool of the garage while running (in your case) 12 DC wires from the panels. More wires but easier maintenance, perhaps?

[@malpracticesurf]

@@mikeatyouttube Yes I did the DNO G98 it was easy and approved within 24h. I used pre-made plug and play enphase q cable and the microinverters are designed to be outside fitted to the underneath of each panel with brackets, so no faffing with DC cables. Just terminate each end of the q cable one in a ip67 box into 2.5mm T&E and take it to the isolator/meter, then mine goes into a dedicated 20A MCB. If I don't get export like you I was thinking of getting a zappi charger when I get an electric car in the future and just charge with any excess.

[@mikeatyouttube]

@@malpracticesurf Good stuff. Pretty soon EV's will have Vehicle-to-Grid connectivity which will provide more options for energy storage. Looking forward to that.

[@tommyk3978]

In the UK, i belive we are meant to get 4hrs of daylight on average. So your max should be 1.6x4=6.4kwh so if you are only getting 0.5kwh on a cloudy day you are only getting 8% of your potential. That is shocking, and a saving of 15p thst day, it is going to take a while to pay for its self. I would be interested to know what you have averaged since you installed them. Thanks

[@EverydayLife621]

True, but thats the worst day of the year todate - if your working from home, and use all the energy. At 30p / unit & 1.5-2.0 MW / year (from this type of system - 1.5Kw) - you save around £500 / year. And if it cost ~ £1500, payback is around 3 years

[@tommyk3978]

How are you generating 1.5-2Mwh, if you're only getting 0.5kwh on a poor day?

[@ryanmason491]

The 15% City Plumbing discount doesnt work on solar items which you mention in the first video

[@brianellison7830]

Just a note on your DC isolater does it show the cables switching polarity through the switch

[@EverydayLife621]

Well spotted - one assumes its designed that way

[@MYMUSICCHANNEL-db4ky]

no mention of how he got the grid-feeding application approved and cost involved are they MCS certified ?

[@northfield3654]

Octopus Energy requires no MCS certificate now so you can get a feed in tariff on a DIY instal

[@MYMUSICCHANNEL-db4ky]

@@northfield3654 thank you for this info I do hope this is right

[@samfish6938]

put more panels on roof

[@sailaway8244]

Is there anything to say you can't hang them vertically on the walls , which would specifically target the winter sun 🤔

[@movement494]

What size wood did you use to make the frame for the solar panels

[@backwoodsbungalow9674]

In the previous video 2" by 2" treated wood was mentioned. The frame looks sturdy and is securely attached to a wooden rail along the wall. ☮️

[@amoryshula8333]

🌟 P r o m o s m

[@xbox360Rob]

How does the inverter connect to your mains so power is taken from solar but also able to take additional power if more is required than is being produced? I want to do a similar thing but to a studio in a garden which is connected back to the house via the mains consumer unit? Cheers.

[@mikeatyouttube]

All you need is a "grid-tied" inverter (and nearly all the ones you can buy are grid-tied). Simply put, the inverter is plugged in to the mains (preferably on its own dedicated circuit fed from the consumer unit). Then, when you plug the solar panels in on the DC side of the inverter, all the clever stuff is done by the inverter. Any solar power produced will happily be used by your house and your meter will pull less from the grid. If the panels produce more than your house needs, it will push the excess back to the grid - which is not really a big deal for small systems. (If the panels are feeding the grid, and if you have an ancient electricity meter, the disk will spin backward which is a bit naughty but the new meters just make a note of the electricity going back but you won't be paid for it) . For a small system, you can just use your ring-main (cue howls of derision from the sparkies) . It's only when you in the 3kW and above range that some more careful thought is required for the electrical connection.

[@xbox360Rob]

@@mikeatyouttube Thank you. Is that 3kW of solar power? I'd like to be able to produce around 1500w of power but will likely only start with a couple of panels and expand down the line. If you have any links to anything that will be suitable that would be very helpful. Cheers.

[@mikeatyouttube]

@@xbox360Rob The 3kW refers to the AC power. - to get that sort of power you're looking at 8 panels approx, to your small system will be well under that. If I understand, you want to put panels on your garden studio and have that feed power to the house. So the big questions are, does your studio already have a house AC connections? If so, is it on it's own breaker (MCU) in the consumer unit (should be separate), and what size is the MCU (hoping it's 20Amps) If those conditions hold, at least electrically, it would be fine to put an inverter in the studio and panels on the studio roof. The inverters require a certain voltage to 'get going'. So you have to match the number of panels to the inverter - work out the maximum number of panels you 'could' install (because you will get there eventually) and then shop for a suitable inverter. City Plumbing is currently a really good source for equipment.

[@xbox360Rob]

@@mikeatyouttube Ah i see. Yes should be under 3kW AC power. The studio is daisy chained back to the consumer unit with a hot tub in between which with today's electricity prices isn't often used/powered so essentially is directly connected to the consumer unit on it's own 40a breaker.

[@mikeatyouttube]

@@xbox360Rob That's fine. A 40 amp breaker should have at least 4mm^2 wire and your studio sockets etc should also be wired similarly (it would be good to check that). So just get some panels and an inverter to match, make sure the panels are equally illuminated (face the same way without shade) and plug the inverter in. Watch a few more videos and you'll see it ain't rocket science. For 1500W you should be looking at about 6 panels - on a nice summer's day.