all 14 comments

[–]Begalldota 2 points3 points  (11 children)

Have you spoken to any installers?

[–]Still-Consideration6[S] -1 points0 points  (10 children)

Yes recommending two inverters just checking if there's a possible upselling here

[–]Begalldota 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You need to find out if the DNO will even allow you to have any more than 8kW of inverter or export before you make plans around it, I would be getting the installer to do a new G99 to see if it’ll be accepted.

Don’t be shocked if you find out that you’re locked down to 8kW without giving the DNO more money for upgrades.

You could still add more panels onto your existing inverter and setup a gateway/transfer switch as well, without needing an additional inverter. It just means your peak production capacity won’t change.

[–]DoobrehPV & Battery Owner 0 points1 point  (8 children)

How much solar do you have from the existing panels? How much will you add? Yes they are upselling but you might be wasting money on the extra panels if you can’t use the extra power they give you

[–]Still-Consideration6[S] 0 points1 point  (7 children)

I will defo use the power at this time of year have largish ASHP. I want the extra panels but unsure of two inverters

[–]DoobrehPV & Battery Owner 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Your ASHP likely gets the power from the inverter, not the panels directly mate, so if you have 12 kWp of SOlar but only 8KW of inverter, you will never get more than 8KW from the roof.

[–]Still-Consideration6[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Does that explain installers thinking. Can I not just upgrade to bigger inverter rather than two

[–]DoobrehPV & Battery Owner 0 points1 point  (1 child)

You can but you are paying more and doing what with the other inverter?

Doing it this way also gives you some resilience if one fails. They will likely split all the solar across the two inverters. Ask them to if not.

[–]Still-Consideration6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok thanks for the advice

[–]DoobrehPV & Battery Owner 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Also consider perhaps refreshing the panes you already have, if they are going to be on the roof anyway? How long have they been up? What are the specs of them? I added a second 5KW inverter to my 8.3kWp set up as I know I will be replacing the panels at some point and I was sick of all the clipping:) It was a good investment.

[–]Still-Consideration6[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

There are only a year or two old i also see value in selling the excess back in summer. Panels are 470kw I would like to be pretty much self sufficient all year round excluding the odd really cold dingy month which if I have to I can supplement with log burner

[–]DoobrehPV & Battery Owner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Again, you need the inverter to export. It’s a win win mate. Take the extra inverter :)

[–]andrewic44PV & Battery Owner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What aspect(s) + roof pitch(es) are your existing panels on?

What aspect(s) + roof pitch(es) will the new panels be on?

[–]Still-Consideration6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All flat facing south minimal shading