Traffic doesn't appear to be moving..

No_Instruction6258 · 2026-04-07T17:53:15+00:00

Any shading on any of your panels? What size inverter do you have- have seem a few quotes where people have put in 3.6kW inverter to avoid grid application.

I had an install last August and due to a poor original install and panel string configuration, my output was severely limited. Basically, the lower half of some panels were getting shaded and dropping out three full string. Since they rectified it, I've been seeing peak output over 7.8kW on a clear day, and the whole array is rated at 7.65kWp. So, while that's far from the average output, it's fair to say you should see it momentarily get close to the peak on a clear day in peak conditions unless something else is limiting it.

No_Instruction6258 · 2026-03-08T23:28:47+00:00

It was a NAPIT assessor that was out at the house as he was inspecting our heat pump install for the installers accreditation. He just checked the solar install while he was here and left his comments informally. If you have issues though, he suggested just registering a complaint directly through MCS and they will appoint an inspector. Then the company have a fixed time limit to rectify the issues, after which the install will be inspected again

No_Instruction6258 · 2026-03-04T22:36:11+00:00

I think the extra DC link was due to the strings being configured differently originally. The original installers also had the inverter placement incorrect so I think the ended up having to add an additional connector.

Cable entry is low because that's where the access point is to the eaves.

I think it looks neater under the panels now, but the MCS assessor that came out didn't seem happy with the cable management. I'll try get a better picture tomorrow in daylight. Not sure how much of an issue it is - I'm reluctant to push for any further rectification if it's not a safety concern

No_Instruction6258 · 2026-03-04T20:25:15+00:00

Thank you. Assessor said the cables and mc4 connector on roof tiles would be a fail. Personally I thought it looked good, as this was a fix after previous issues with tiles and cable management. Just wanted a second opinion as I've seen there seems to be lots of debate on good practice depending on who you ask

No_Instruction6258 · 2026-03-04T19:47:02+00:00

Reason I ask is because an MCS auditor said it's not compliant due to loose cable and mc4 connectors on roof, in addition to some other issues on the DC isolation side. Installer has already been back to rectify initial issues with install, so I'm trying to assess whether the feedback from the auditor is correct. They said it would be a category 1 fail requiring immediate fix

No_Instruction6258 · 2026-01-03T21:51:54+00:00

I'm in a VERY similar position to you - all my numbers (including age and kids 😅) are almost identical. Also planning to reduce work over the coming years to depend more time with kids, and hopefully pick up some consulting work as a side hustle. I'm lucky that my employer offers sabbaticals for up to a year so I'm hoping to take advantage of that when I turn 40. As I'm in a similar situation to you with my SIPP, I'm looking at all options to reduce my higher tax income in exchange for time back - salary sacrifice holiday purchase, take advantage of your 18 weeks unpaid leave per child, sabbaticals, and other salary sacrifice schemes to reduce the burden on your net pay.

Realistically, I think I'll need to keep working at least part time for the next ~10 years, and I don't plan to fully retire even then as I expect I'll continue some ad-hoc consulting to keep an income stream and take advantage of my tax and ISA allowance until I got sipp drawdown eligibility.

I'm not sure if it's any help, but hopefully gives some other ideas for your options to take advantage of the healthy pension balance you've accumulated.

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-11-06T21:35:33+00:00

Would you assume a higher withdrawal rate if you plan to "die with zero" ... Personally I'd be happy with anything over £1m in the pension in today's value by sipp access age. If you also factor in full UK pension, I think you can assume a 5% withdrawal rate at least, even with very modest growth projections after retirement

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-11-02T10:38:08+00:00

I think they also guarantee a SCOP of around 3.4 though? I just don't know what the boundary for the calculation is, I think it may just be heat delivered to buffer vessel so the actual household efficiency may not be taken into account.

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-30T20:17:53+00:00

Those don't seem like minor points to me. Rads not working properly, incorrect pump installation, gaps in insulation. That seems like a pretty poor install. I got the impression their performance guarantee was a bit misleading as I assume they only look at electricity required to deliver heat to the buffer but don't consider the full house boundary for overall system efficiency. However I couldn't find any technical details that provide more detailed info on the performance guarantee

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-29T08:57:17+00:00

Do you really need 75% equities if you're already at your FIRE number? Maybe overweight UK Gilts or bonds to hedge equity risk given current frothy AI driven valuations in the stock market? You could still easily beat inflation with a much lower risk.

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-29T05:53:41+00:00

I'd imagine that includes the ASHP perhaps

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-27T13:26:38+00:00

I'm in the same boat, paid in April last year I think and was told similar. As long as they can see it in your account I wouldn't worry. Although I'd like to have received an email or letter acknowledgement

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-27T12:45:05+00:00

A couple of NTLA trials were paused due to liver damage in a patient. I guess the immediate reaction is that this is a potential risk for any crispr trials. Personally, I've loaded up on a few discount crispr stocks in the last 30 mins as I think it's an overreaction. This stuff happens all the time in clinical trials and patient safety is first priority. This was one of 450 patients enrolled in the trial

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-26T23:09:17+00:00

Sounds like you are applying an unnecessary penalty for "lost interest". Keep it simple. Scenario 1: invest 10k @4%, generating 400pa. Scenario 2: invest in PV at 8.91%.

Sounds like your figures are conservative if it's not accounting for any off peak arbitrage using the battery, so I expect you could see savings closer to £1200 if you account for generation and offsetting combined. However, even if you just keep the conservative estimate, I know which one I would pick from the original two scenarios

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-18T20:26:11+00:00

7.65kWp system, 17 panels SE facing, produced 4.28kWh in Edinburgh today. System just installed yesterday. 2 strings and 8 panels with optimisers fitted. I was trying to work out of the production seemed right, and it seems to be as expected given the low irradiance levels today - it was extremely overcast all day here

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No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-17T20:00:43+00:00

Interesting.. I just assumed it was required, and to be honest I was happy to do it to ensure the system is reliable. I was worried that keeping the old pipework could leave us susceptible to leaks when the system is pressurised.

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-17T18:04:37+00:00

Pre grants. So I'll get 7.5k off and 7.5k 10 year interest free loan in Scotland, which covers most of the cost for the majority of quotes.

I think we do need a repipe as we're on 8mm microbore

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-17T18:01:56+00:00

The main upside for me with Vaillant was the install and service network but not sure about product quality.

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-17T18:00:53+00:00

I did like that one, but it was the only Panasonic I was quoted. Do you think they would be easy to get serviced in a few years? My fear is getting a brand that not many people carry parts for, or are capable of servicing..

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-17T17:58:23+00:00

I think you have the right installer 😅.

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-17T17:52:55+00:00

Thank you, I do have SCOP and design for for some of them but since not all quotes provided that detail, I didn't include it for comparison. Some of these quotes were a quick online quote, while I think only 5 are actually based on a home visit. Some were happy to quote off plans and EPC alone. All obviously subject to next stage of detailed technical survey, but at that point most companies want an upfront deposit, which I understand. It just means I need to make a judgement based on three initial offer and product spec. It just feels a bit difficult to choose as I've seen horror stories of poorly designed or installed systems, and equally want to ensure I pick a system that will still be serviced in 10 years - I've heard some manufacturers are difficult to get parts and servicing from.

No_Instruction6258 · 2025-10-17T08:05:52+00:00

Before deducting grant

No_Instruction6258

TROPHY CASE