G83

[GavinA]

thanks Bruce , I'll try to digest it all.
Quick look , it seems strange that there's not clear guidance from Ofgem ; with higher effiency panels coming on the market , getting as close to 4kWp and more importantly the 16A limit ffor easy installation on to the grid , is surely in the interest of the FITS funded national PV project
Getting as big and cost efficient system on each household as poss. to maximise returns for all. ( including us the energy bill payers funding this FITs scheme)

use a 4000TL, change the maximum output setting to 3680W, change the installer password to prevent the customer changing the settings back, make a clear note of this on the DNO notification form stating that the inverter output is limited to 3680W / 16amps AC.

Job done.

Biggest system we've installed this way is 4.5kWp DC, with the rating for both G83 and MCS/FIT purposes being the 3680W or 16amps.

[jamesingram]

Fantastic , just what I was after ,  thanks Gavin

[jamesingram]

Wondering what effect reducing the max. output setting on inverter would have on annual yeald , I presume reduce it some ( compared to leaving it a 4kw max AC output ), but at the same time allow larger systems to nick a bit more generation and FIT payment at the higher rate and stay in G83  
Do you think the extra panel costs would add up ??

Currently considering a 16 ,and now 18 after comments above, 240W panel system on a 4000TL  , two different pitch angles ( upper and lower roofs ) same origination hence the TL would make sense ? ( 8/8 or now 10/8 string split )
Sunny design showing 400kWh/year difference , but obviously this doesn't take into account the max. ac setting reduction to 3.68

[GavinA]

you'd obviously lose some production at the top end, but in peak sunlight the panels will be operating at higher temperatures, so there'd be something like 15% reduction in output from this, plus maybe 5-6% inverter losses, so it'd mostly be operating at around 3.6-3.8kW at the top end anyway other than for brief periods.

[EccentricAnomaly]

Also the different pitch angles would slightly reduce the peak possible hence reduce the losses due to the limit.

[brackwell]

jamesingram,

I am going to fit 5Kwp with a sma 4000TL and have been researching/monitoring the output of http://pvoutput.org/intraday.jsp?id=2476&sid=1872&t=3&gs=0&da=1&s=1 who is close to me. My conclusion is the advantage way way outweighs the peak chopping.

Ken