2.1kWp in West London

[JohnS]

Ecovolt of Hammersmith installed my system last week.  10 Sanyo 210w panels and a Sunny Boy 2500 inverter which I was fortunate to get without too long a delay.

First we had to plan how many panels would fit on the roof.  They come in all different shapes and sizes and the Sanyos at 1600mm * 800mm fitted better than others as I had some rooflights on the roof that I had to fit them between.  They also have a higher rating per sq metre.

To make sure it all worked, I made some cardboard templates which showed it would fit. 



And this is the finished result



Generation meter showing zero and awaiting the labels.



the highest reading I have seen on the Efergy meter so far is 2.04kW.

I have now generated 29kWhs in a week, have sent of the grant application to EST and NPower are mailing me their FIT application pack.

[StBarnabas]

Nice System. Welcome to the club.
Sean

[JohnS]

Sean,

Thanks.  It is great to and a 'proper' member of the forum at last.  I nearly did solar thermal last year but just could not get the economics to work as I would have had to replace an unvented cylinder and my gas cost in the summer is under £2 a week.  I am looking forward to my position in the Navitron imeasure club improving from being a tail ender to something more respectable.

Your epic saga last year was an inspiration and whilst I went the professional install route, the 5% VAT rate reduces the extra cost.  Now I have just to get on with the internal dry lining project.  This last winter has confirmed that it is a necessity.

John

[rhys]

Yes John time for the drylining nice big "Ealing or Chiswick" ? house you can afford to loose a few mm from those rooms!!

[AidyB]

Professional curiosity question here:  Did they earth the DC side of the installation (as it's in the equipotential zone)?

[JohnS]

Aidan

The simple answer is that I don't think so.  They checked the main earth.  But there are just two cables leading from the panels on the roof into the SMA inverter (with its dc disconnect/ESS switch).

It all got notified to Building Control via NAPIT etc.

I recall reading that earthing the panel mounts and frames is a bit of a grey area.  Are there any views on either best practice or definite requirements etc.

John

[StBarnabas]

John
Ted posted a link a while ago which was very interesting and had some advice regarding earthing. I have left the DC side of the StBC system floating, which seems to agree with best practice for a small system - though Earthing is a bit lighting the blue touch paper and running as far as electricians are concerned! will try to dig out the link but It was so useful I thing it is on the forum or the Navitron web site as a best practice guide
Sean

[Iain]

Hi John
Mine was fitted with all floating. I did query it and was told that it should be left floating.
Iain

[StBarnabas]

Here is the link again

http://www.ecodiy.org/Guide%20to%20the%20installation%20of%20PV%20systems_2nd%20Edition.pdf

An excellent document

[JohnS]

Thanks Sean and Ian,

I should have remembered that that was where I had read it.  It confirms that it is best practice to leave the external bits floating. 

I am still awaiting the EST grant.  It was due yesterday and I phoned them.  Apparently, all is on schedule but they are a bit busy due to all the installations prior to the grant running out.  They told me to call again in a week if they have not paid it !

John