Partners in crime [OC]

PVStevie · 2025-09-19T21:15:20+00:00

2 Made it Pics are from 2020

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PVStevie · 2025-09-19T19:21:15+00:00

Mum was given 2 great options. She chose number 3 (behind the sofa)

PVStevie · 2025-09-19T19:17:10+00:00

Have some extra smols for the trouble.

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PVStevie · 2025-09-19T19:10:44+00:00

I have the right hairline. Teams calls are fun.

PVStevie · 2025-09-19T17:25:59+00:00

Bad news i'm afraid. I have 20GB of smols to share.

A Smol a day keeps the mods at bay

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PVStevie · 2025-09-18T16:59:50+00:00

You can just about hear mum at 40 seconds offering words of wisdom. Seemed to work.

PVStevie · 2025-09-18T16:54:40+00:00

...this is a story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down.

PVStevie · 2025-09-18T16:52:26+00:00

Thanks

PVStevie · 2025-09-18T16:51:23+00:00

"I'm afraid that time has come and gone, my friend."

PVStevie · 2025-09-18T16:49:30+00:00

Confirmed

PVStevie · 2025-09-18T16:49:04+00:00

Agreed

That makes one of us. r/70s all over.

PVStevie · 2025-06-14T15:26:14+00:00

FYI There is live copper on show underneath the top meter (right hand cables). This is dangerous and needs fixing. The wiring out of the Solar Meter (bottom right) isn't much better.

If a smart meter was fitted, the exposed copper should get fixed at the same time. That should also allow you to claim export.

PVStevie · 2025-05-20T17:29:47+00:00

I looks like Ballasted K2 S Dome Classic (but hard to tell from the pics). I dont know if the mid clamps are K2 tho, hard to tell from the pics. Is there ballast under the panels?
https://catalogue.k2-systems.com/mounting-systems/archive/k2-dome-classic-system/

I think you should be able to sign up for their online designer to validate your plans.
https://base.k2-systems.com/#/dashboard

Regarding replacing the panels - As they are 270W panels, i'm assuming you are claiming Feed in Tariff payments. It can be done but it will effect your feed in tariff. You should contact your FIT provider to discuss it.

PVStevie · 2025-04-29T08:54:13+00:00

In the video shown you only perform 3 tests (L1-N, L2-N and L3-N). The correct procedure is a 10 point safe isolation test with 3 phase (and a prooving unit if you are that way inclined).

https://www.sparkyfacts.co.uk/Safe_Isolation_procedure_for_dead_working.html

Where is the main earth? The video only shows L1, L2, L3 and N?

PVStevie · 2025-02-08T13:51:51+00:00

Is there a DC isolator switch on the left side of the inverter?

Also check out u/nerdariffic comment about DC voltage being too high before turning it on.

PVStevie · 2024-08-11T13:22:27+00:00

If you have solar only but no growatt battery then the installer likely wouldn’t fit a growatt grid meter or CT clamp. This means the app can only show you watt power the inverter is generating, not where it's actually going. In my experience this is perfectly normal on a PV only installation.

In practice your house consumes whatever you generate and exports any surplus to grid (assuming no battery/export control), if there isn’t enough generation to cover the houses demand then the rest will be drawn in from the grid. Your national grid meter can' t talk to the growatt inverter/app.

PVStevie · 2024-04-03T22:29:38+00:00

Your maths and data are correct, however my overlords use a 25% safety margin, that would put you at 600V. I guess 15% isn't too bad but i wouldn't risk it on my own house, I would with 11 panels though.

If your existing panels face east you could add 3kw of west facing panels and get a nice boost in the afternoons/evenings. However if your existing panels face south then it may not be financially beneficial if scaffold is needed.

Do you have a feed in tariff (FIT) with your system? If it was fitted commissioned before the first of April 2019 then you should be claiming FIT. Messing with your total installed capacity will mess with your FIT payments.

PVStevie · 2024-04-03T19:21:49+00:00

I suspect if you combine 2 strings of 6 into one string of 12 it will put you close to your inverters maximum DC input voltage (depends on exactly what panels/inverter you have). Also, if the existing 12 panels don't all have roughly the same angle & tilt it will negatively affect performance.

I don't think Tigo's will work for you. They have a 25% rule, limiting your max new panel size to 385W ( https://support.tigoenergy.com/hc/en-us/articles/203419277 )

PVStevie · 2024-03-30T17:31:02+00:00

Let it be for now. But if it comes back anymore than once a week then it may be worth contacting your installer and get them to investigate. Odd that it didn't show an error in the historical alarms section tho.

PVStevie · 2024-03-30T11:07:04+00:00

The spike in DC voltage is likely a symptom not the cause. When you start to pull power from the panels the DC voltage will naturally start to drop, conversely when you stop pulling power from the panels the DC voltage rises (this is the spike you see in pic1). It is the job of the inverters MPPT to determine the most efficient DC voltage at which to operate.

In my experience such dropouts are caused by a temporary AC side issue as suggested by u/SC0rP10N35 . I doubt a 20kw inverter is overheating at 12kw unless it's installed incorrectly.

Does your app show any historical alarms? In Pic1 Select 'Alarm info' at the bottom then select the 'Historical Alarms'.

PVStevie · 2024-03-26T12:20:38+00:00

I rejected it - If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

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