Installing a Solar PV System in Ireland. A Look at the Kit and What to Consider. What's Involved
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- čas přidán 6. 07. 2024
- In this video I take you through my Solar PV kit and what you need to consider if you are thinking about getting a solar system installed. I also take you through the forms and some of the regulations.
Tradify bit.ly/3dzlP8V
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Where I bought my kit solartricity.ie/
NC6 forms www.esbnetworks.ie/docs/defau...
SEAI solar energy info www.seai.ie/technologies/sola...
FAQ www.seai.ie/publications/FAQs...
ESB solar information www.esbnetworks.ie/who-we-are...
Calculate your solar output where you live re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools...
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You should give an update on how your solar array preformed over the past year?
Grea video, with all the details and answers to questions that come to mind (unlike any video I have been able to find with much searching). Great to find it here where I am actually scscribed (I made your 4x 2 planters, wife very happy )
Keep going Mr Mc Grath
Hi John, a great video here. Very well explained. I would love to see a video of you fitting the panels on the roof and what is involved. I’m looking forward to seeing the update videos on this. Solar PV is something I’m thinking of purchasing at the minute also.
Appriciate the shout out! Hope Tradify is simplifying your business admin.
Brilliantly clear. Possibly the best video I've seen on the subject of Solar Panel installation. I'm awaiting the installation of these, hopefully in early 2024. Well done young man!!!
I'm glad you found it useful
Excellent video. Thanks for the info.
Great video, really informative. Thanks
Very good video. Very informative.
thanks John , this was a really informative video particularly the paperwork ... cheers from Co. Limerick :)
Very helpful and informative video, many thanks 👍👏
No problem glad it was helpful
Mighty video John
Thanks John, great information that is specific to Irish installations. Can you possibly explain how the consumer unit handles the two incoming AC feeds, the one coming from the grid and the second from the invertor.
Great video, nice one. 👍
Thanks John... Great video 😊
Glad you enjoyed it
Awesome video and explanation
Glad you liked it
Hi John, great video. Could you make a video of how you wired up the electrical panel. I would be very interested in seeing it. Thanks again.
very interesting ,very well explained. just one wee picky thing. the joiners and brackets are stainless steel and the rails are aluminum. great video , well done
Great video usir!
Good video. Would love to see a detailed step by step follow up and how-to install.
Great video thanks, could you say a bit more about why you selected the brands of panel, battery, inverter, etc please?
You're a credit to the trade. Great video, I'm watching as I'm currently saving up for 18 panels on my bungalow and want to learn a bit more, but I'll be letting the professionals have at it. 😅
Hope you found it useful
Excellent video, well done. One question; in the event of a power cut and your PV panels are automatically isolated, do they then run without a load or is there a dummy load ? My understanding was that they can be damaged if allowed to run without a load of some sort ???
Would love an update on this, was the battery worth it? Great video keep it up. Also can uou talk about how you could go over the 6kw limit?
Great video John! My wife and I are just in the early stages of planning a cottage reno and are wanting to add a solar system to a 40 sq mt extention out of the back. A couple of questions. We can plan the orientation of the extension to meet the needs of capturing the sun, but would a typical 400 sq ft extension have enough roof space to hold a system? Also, apologies but non technical, when you explained the "grid trip switch" piece, and you said if the grid goes down the panels are isolated etc. Do you mean that the system would no longer continue to power the house etc? Like an off grid scenario? Are there systems that would allow that or does the ESB have a blacket rule? Many thanks and you have a new follower! Cheers, Peter, Vancouver Canada
Great vid John as usual. I’m a retired spark and hobbyist woodworker. I was wondering what price you’ll get per unit exported and have you done any calculations on a repayment period. Cheers
Savage video, John. Thanks for creating and answering some questions I had. One more question for you, would you increase storage capacity? I'll look at your updated videos to see if you have done so.
A biker too 👊🏻.
I did add another battery I have 4.8kwh now. I'll don an update video soon.
Thank-you John. First time watching your videos. But will watching more often. Great information and Solar PV makes a lot more sense to me now. Just have one question please. I know the output KW from the 6KW system can be effected by many variables but what do you think the 6KW system will generate roughly on the conservative side. My current consumption is approx:-
1500KWH per month of which 1000KW is at night and 500KW during the day. Thanks again John. Look forward to seeing a video or note on the installation and power generated figures.
Is there any details on requirements or need for cleaning of the panels. When I look at the green which forms on my conservatory glass roof over a number of months I wonder would these be any different.
Hi John. Brilliant video. I'd like to know if it would make more sense to heat my immersion during EV tariff hours at night (9c/kWh) with an immersion timer and then export excess electricity to the grid @ 24c/kWh. Thus no need to have the Eddi installed or should I just have it installed anyway while the job is being done?
Hi John , can this system be combined with a heat pump? Living in the west and buying an older house built in 04 heating system in it ancient . I'm not a builder so how would the solar system benefit the heat pump ? less load to heat water ? Thanks fella.
It's a pity we don't have net billing, would mean no need for battery storage! With all signs indicating that we're going to struggle with power this winter it feels like the CRU / ESBN could do more to incentivise micro generation by providing meaningful feed in tariffs. While it won't solve all our problems it would help with grid stability.
Hey Philip. It's lot better in Ireland than here in the UK where the feed in tariffs have been reducing. The best offer is currently Tesla (?) who offer 10-12p per kWh against an average price of 28p to buy 1kWh. The standard electricity companies pay between 1.5-7.5p per kWh. From what I can see Flogas are offering 20c per kWh and charge @ 30c. That's pretty good. Most likely what will happen is the SEG will reduce as the PV roll out continues in Ireland. Lets face it, the electricity supply companies do not want you becoming self sufficient. Unless they can buy electricity from you at a lower price than the wholesale price?
Is there a 2nd video of the install?
Hi John would it cost the same if installing them in the garden.
I have a modern consumer box but house could do with a full rewire but can’t do for a few years….is it better to wait until then or is it possible to get the panels first ? Thanks
Hello John great video you answered so many questions I had. Could you give me the info or your set up and your supplier please
Can you tell us how much cost this kit only? With out instalation ...thank you
i dont know the regulation in ireland, but here in belgium we put an auto-isolator on the grid line and not on the dc-solar.
when th grid go down the grid disconnects, from the hibrid inverter.
the inverter creates a microgrid from the batery wich alows to use the solarpower in combination with the batery..
wen the disconnect gets a stable grid it reconnects to the invereter.
i cant find a reason to use a hibrid inverter if you cant load the batery from the panels wen the grid is down.
Can you not apply for a bigger then 6kva feed in now ? Plus I think the planning for pv panels has being done away with
Where would you put in an output to an ev charger and can you also work it in reverse with thr ev acting like a battery?
Hello John. Is it illegal to install a 7kw inverter to a domestic property in Ireland? I know you have said in your video that it is regulations to have a max inverter of 6Kw. But is there another form instead of an NC6 that can be filled out for a 7Kw system. Something like an NC7 for instance?
Very interesting, didn't realise you lost solar inputs when electricity is cut off. Makes sense if engineers are working on the grid but can you not continue charging your battery and use the panel generated electricity within your own house. I am expecting a few power cuts this winter!!
You can put in an off grid system to charge batteries and then you could draw power from the batteries through a change over switch that isolates the house from the grid the same as you do with a backup generator.
New sub, great video 😊😊😊
The system you have with Ginlong (Solis) inverter, Eddi diverter and Pylontech batteries is extremely popular in Ireland. Often there is also a Zappi for charging electric cars. The main difference with a lot of installs is that not everyone goes for the batteries. The batteries were a no-brainer in the days before feed in tariff but nowadays they are valuable as a source of backup for when the power goes. Does your inverter have a backup outlet so you can run from the battery when there is a power cut?
It does indeed.
I've bought a complete 5kv system and don't intend connecting to the grid. Can I install it myself?
Do you have to be registered is its NOT connected to the grid? I want a parallel system for energy independence.
Hi John, thanks for the video. Are you going to show how you installed the panels on your roof?
Yeah I can do a short video on it when the weather gets better
Great Video, is there ever an issue with the heat in the attic in summer with the invertor no fear of overheating ?
I haven't had an issue so far, my attic is insulated so that helps keep the temperature down on hot days
Brilliant video John, thanks. Irish spark here, working in factory industry 👍
Any performance updates on the installed system?
Thanks
I'll get an update video up as soon as I can 👍
Hi John, just been looking at this again. If I understood correctly, the firemans switch shuts of the PV array; what stops the battery (if you have one) providing power back to the grid or to the house?
cheers
Donal
The inverter stops that happening when the power goes off, there is a second output on the inverter that you can use as a battery backup but it must be kept separate from the rest of the electrical installation
Hi John great video as always. Just wondering why the automatic switch can't be installed between the grid and the inverter so you could still have power in the home from the panels or the battery in the event the the grid needs to be turned off. Cheers Sam
Yep that's what I was thinking but it's probably Reci making up stupid rules again.
I don't have one installed on mine, RECI said its to do with where the cables come in from the solar, mine are in a shed less than a meter from entry into shed, with panels on the shed. the inverter itself shuts off when it detects the grid down, no battery for me :(
straight up question, I know you're a sparks, do you offer this installation service? or are you more commercial?
Hello how much does it cost to connect to the grid?
With the auto PV disconnect in the event of grid failure how do you keep your batteries charged to power your home. A hybrid inverter should not allow power to the grid with grid failure.
An update would be great please
Glad I found this video as thinking of getting Solar. It’s 1 year on, how has it performed? Did you get payments from the Grid?
I'll do an update video soon
Interesting video. I assume your loft doesn't get to hot to affect the battery / inverter life. I like the eddi unit, a very clever idea. I think if blackouts become more frequent, developing an inverter that can disconnect from the failed incoming supply to keep power in the house and then resync back to the supply when it comes back again will soon get developed.
It would be so easy to add an automatic change over switch but the regs say the solar array must be isolated I have no idea why.
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed you should be able to island your system.
Need to isolate the panels so the ESB don't get a shock if they're working on the lines.
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed Hi, UK regs here so they might not apply! - All live conductors, that is line(s) and neutral, that are to be powered in island mode must be disconnected from the grid, A manual or ATS would isolate the grid and EPS so they never come into contact with each other
Will be interesting to see what you get out of the system over the winter
Interesting that the 6 KVA is max invertor
My house is east west as well so will be a good case study.
Did you up the size for the east west or to give juice to the workshop too?
Is it overkill for a standard 3 bed house ?
I will do a follow up soon, my best day so far has been a total of 12kwh generated and worst has been 2.1kwh. I have generated a total of 180kwh in the 4 weeks. My average monthly use is 260kwh so its over 50% for this time of year, it will be less and less as the days shorten. As for the east west, I installed the same system on my friends south facing house his system preforms better up to midday but mine generates more in the evening, when the sun is setting mine is still putting out 1.5kw when his has almost stopped, so it balances out.
6kVa isn't the max inverter size, it's the maximum export limit. It's possible to have 2 of the Solis inverters as shown in the video so long as at least 1 of them sets an export limit of 6kVa, although the second one cannot be powered up until further confirmation from ESB.
What if it’s not connected to national grid, do you still need certifications?
Great video john, just a few small questions as it is something i am looking to install on my house and shed.
1. For the house install if you are not looking to sell power to the ESB can you go above the 6kw system as i was adding it up i would be able to fit nearly 13kw of panels on my roof as it has no windows or vents.
2. if i was to install a indopentent system on my workshop like you would have on a camper do i have to get someone in to install it that is hopefully going to be able 4 to 5 kw in size
.
You can install your own system a long as you are not connecting it to the grid, however be careful of the amount of panels as there is planning permission required in certain circumstances.
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed Thanks John I will be careful i will be getting a local lad to look over it as i do it to make sure. i will give the councle a call to ask the planning side. my main idea is to still be able to keep going if the power goes out and also with the talk of power cuts.
Hi John, this video is excellent, thank you so much for taking the time to make it and giving a fairly detailed summary of the system. We are in the process of a new build and want to install such a system. You had said that you can use the system to heat a tank of water which I assume is for hot taps and showers. My question is; is it possible to use the system to heat enough water to heat your house via radiators or underfloor heating. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you, Kieran in Mayo
Hi Kieran it would not be big enough to run a heating system but it could help offset the cost of running an air to water system for under floor heating. But remember you need most of the heat in the winter when there is not a lot of sun.
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed Thanks for the reply John, we are thinking about installing it and have it work in conjunction with another system. We hope that from April to September the solar panel would supply us with enough hot water and any heating the house would need (which would be minimal) and for the other 6 months the other system would supply most of the heat. We are undecided on what this second system will be. I will be very interested in your next video showing performance of the panels. Your channel is the first one I ever subscribed to. Looking forward to watching and learning from your content. Thanks again, Kieran
great vide. Having a hard time finding anyone who will supply panels only in Ireland
Try some of the electrical wholesalers they will sell you any part you want
Not a joke John . I am currently online looking at a Belfast company for solar when your video came through
ha ha ha perfect timing hope it helps!
Sounds like google/you tube are using algorithms to connect to what you want... makes you wonder what else they tracking.
@@donbennett5001 😂😂😂you can definitely see your profession as an electrician coming through in the video. It’s as easy as breathing for you.
Hi John, well informed and detailed video on solar installation, I had all my documentation to be connected to the grid completed by my installer everything solar wise is working fine.But from watching your video alot hasn't been done to same quality on my installation, eg tidiness,safety labeling.
If I can you ask a question,my certificates state battery capacity of 5.2 kw,but thats not enough,can I still install extra battery capacity?
Yes you should be able to add extra batteries to your system
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed Thanks for replying, I wasn't sure if I had to apply for permission to add extra batteries from the national Grid.
great video again John. any chance to give me a quote for installing a PV system on my home?
I'm not doing installations at currently
Hi John, great info and video. Just a question am I still limited to 6000w if I don’t want to connect to the grid.
No but you are limited by planning on the amount of panels you can install and it must adhere to the code of practice, if you look it up you will get the government safety document and the SEAI code of practice.
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed thanks for the feedback appreciate it.
Hi John. Can you install hybryd invereter with automatic cut of grid when power loss and runs your house from battery in Ireland ?
You can, my inverter has a second output for that
Hi John,
I have to say, having seen what is left on the wall from other installers etc, you do VERY CLEAN work - restores my faith in "professionals" lol.
Question: Is it possible to put the automatic grid-tie cut out switch downstream from the internal grid within the house? ie. Can you isolate the panels, battery storage, inverters etc and put the back feed to the grid as what would effectively be a spur load off your own little generation / storage island? Would this sort of option then also require an automatic switch - similar to those used with stand-by generators on the feed to your house panel?
So... Panels -> inverter ->battery storage ... this is a "unit" then a load applied to that generation source for the 6.5KwH grid tie feed (with the automatic isolation if the grid goes down) and a second load ( second inverter even ??) to your house panel feed switch... that switch then being either a smart switch which will draw off your panels first and fill the load from the grid and/or pull only from one or the other.
I guess this is then a 2 source, 2 load, redundantly isolated system.....
A lot to talk about there, I might do a follow up video an try answer some more question that have come up.
Great video, one of the best I’ve seen. Would love to see a video on the actual install. That solis has a second backup ac output that works in event of a power failure. If you took out some essential circuits like lights, fridge and freezer, Wi-Fi etc from main consumer unit and put the them into a second board, included either a manual or automatic change over with a feed from the main consumer unit and one from the solis, then you could have backup from the battery in the event of a power failure to these essential loads. Has anyone done this?
Looks like you need something close to (semi) separated off-grid system. Great at blackouts. I'm thinking as well abous similar thing, I'm West co. Limerick.
Hi, did you ever do the update video on the solar system? Cheers Denis
Not yet Denis, I'm just at the 6 month mark now so I'll will do one soon
Still amazed you guys don't have to use conduit
Ok thanks….. Don’t fall out a Tree….. And they have Tree Phase in Ireland 😂
Really enjoyed your vlog 👍 Brilliant 👍
Hi John, quick question...That Solis inverter has the ability to output backup power during a blackout via the backup outlet which is separate to the grid tied output. Is this allowed to be used for essential consumers, I have not seen it being used in Ireland even though these inverters are marketed as capable of providing backup power.
You can use it for essential services but it needs to kept separate from the rest of the electrical installation. I'm using mine to power a stand alone socket that I can plug into in the event of power failure.
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed Thanks that's what I was planning, to run a separate socket for the fridge and another for the heating boiler to allow them to run in the event of a blackout, the sum of those would only be maybe 300w. Great Video, Thanks.
If the essential circuits were taken out of the main consumer unit and put on a board along side the consumer unit. Have a change over switch on this board too, input from consumer unit and the other from the solis then all should work. The change over would prevent power going back into the grid. Anyone done this?
Great video. Question as a Eletrical apprentice. Should the fireman switch not be disconnecting the main power in rather than the solar generation? I mean if you disconnect the solar generation the battery will still be powering the house and could potentially still send power back to the grid ?
The battery doesn't power the house when the power goes out. There is a second output from the inverter that you can use as a battery backup, but this must not be connected to the mains. You can use it to power a stand-alone socket.
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed could it be connected and designated to power the house in case of power loss rather than just a one socket or is that against the rules ?
Thank you for a very informative video which has clarified so much for me. Quick question .. does your registered electrician have to be SEAI registered as well? I know they definitely do if you want to apply for the grant but I might research sourcing my own kit and getting an electrician to install them to see if it’s more cost effective. In this case, can any registered electrician install the panels without being registered with the SEAI? Thanks in advance!
You only need to be with the SEAI for the grant, but it must be a registered electrician that does the installation.
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed thanks for letting me know - much appreciated.
Can you install the equipment in the garage instead if the attic?
You can, not a problem as long as you can run the cables to where they need to go.
Is that a GS I see at the start and end?
It is
Do the same regulations apply if you want to live “off-grid?”
I love your vids, thank you!
Not if you are installing an off grid system
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed Thank you 😊
Recently I made enquiries about solar panels with two providers. One of the providers is through my electrical company and will allow me to pay for the system over 3 years interest free and they recently did a survey and they dont recommend the battery but the system would have 10 panels and the eddy. My usage is under 2000 units and i would use a lot of that on my free day which is Saturday on my electrical smart meter plan. My house is in the North East and was built in the 70s east - west facing, it has a duel heating system open fire with back boiler and oil heating system both heat the water. However this is where I start to get confused my electrical fuse board is from about 1979 the surveyor seemed to think it would need changing which I knew and i am willing to do but that the house may have to be rewired . I also contacted my own electrican and he will be dropping into me soon to check the wiring and to see if it is the case . What would you advise on this and would you think it is worth my while ?
Did you have to rewire or just get a new consumer unit?
@@elizabethstaunton790 i spoke with a friend who is an electrician and he told me if came to change the fuse board with the new regulations he would have to rewire the house. Some of my neighbours changed their fuse boaeds only before the regulations and since then had the air to ground heating installed an his passed (he didn't change any wiring). Considering my usage is very low and insurance I decided to leave as be .
Hi, I had some questions different regulations in the UK, but hybrid solar inverter automatic self isolate when the grid fails as it is no longer receiving power from the grid to operate. they normally change over to EPS mode same as when you isolate the unit with the rotary isolator.
Are you not able to install a ATS (automatic transfer switch) so that you can supply power back into your house/ some sockets in a power cut while at the same time cutting any power from flowing back down the grid? Over here in the UK to do this we require a dedicated earthing method TT earth rod like when using a generator.
👍
Hi john i am looking for a job i have my bachelor's in electrical engineering and currently studying Msc sustainable energy engineering.
Brilliant Video John and couldn't be more timely. I'm in the process of moving to Ireland and buying a house in Co Kerry. I'm keen to add PV panels and have spent the last week on the SEAI website and numerous PV installers and providers. Have to admit your video taught me more about the system than I learnt online. Want to come and install mine? 🙂
I also didn't realise there was a fireman's switch. In the US PV panels are definitely used as backup in case of power cuts. They isolate their AC from the grid but leave the house standalone. Is that not possible? how does it work if you have your own power generator?
Hi Donal it is possible to separate the house from the grid in the event of power failure, but the regulations state the solar aray must be isolated in the event of power failure. I have no idea why you can't isolate your house and continue to use your solar panels. I can't get a satisfactory answer to this. You also run into problems with a back up generator. If your solar system sends excess power to the generator it will destroy it. It's fine as long as all the power generated is being used, but when you are using the generator you are disconnected from the grid so you need to isolate the solar system from the generator or risk sending the excess power into it.
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed Thanks John. by backup generator I meant how does it work without PV system. If there is a power cut you can use a generator to power your house? does that not send power to the grid too or are they completely switched over to use the generator and you then manually switch back to the grid when power is restored?
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed Also, if only the solar array is disconnected would the batteries not be able to supply power to the house? (and therefore the grid too)
@@donalfalvey145 you can Donal, it's just a case of installing a change over switch which selects between the grid or the generator.
@@donalfalvey145 again you can, you can use the second output on the hybrid inverter to power a socket that is separate from everything else so you can use it as a power supply from the batteries in the event of power failure, to power the whole house from the batteries you would need another switch to isolate the house from the grid when the power fails.
How does the auto disconnect know the mains has been lost while the inverter is feeding the same supply?
so after a year or so are these saving you money on your electricity bill
Yes, from March to September, it produced more than I needed, so going into the winter month's I now have about €450 credit which will cover most of my winter bills.
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed very nice well worth it then,just doing some research today as my electric Ireland bill landed in my inbox this morning and doesn't make for pretty reading!
Would go go into a bit of detail with a follow up video on this
enjoyed the whiskey reviews John but they seem to have dried up , is it still going on?
I would love to do more, just struggling to find the time
@@JohnMcGrathManInShed I'll presume that when a review does pop up , it must be a stunning Whiskey! Good Luck with the channel(s).
Ireland has sun?
Sometimes 🤣
the single battery is joke for the inverter and panells. it has only1.2kvah charge an discharge rate so cant pover your apliances. in summer you get 20-30kwh a day. you already spend more than 1000eur extra for inverter and cabinet so the price of battery is very little extra. have similar system for 3years in wexford. from march till october no electricity from grid bud you need bigger battery (much cheaper for me buy directly from UK) get te pylontech 5000kv version. in winter charging battery for 12.5c night so dont use 52.7c day rate. very profitable investment.
I can add batteries as needed in the summer, I'm also using it to heat water.
Check your email 😊 In tullamore here looking for help….