4kw & FIT rates

[babba]

My system is 4kWp (16 x 250kWp) yet still goes through under G83 due to the G83 compliant inverter as do many others.

I know they may/may not except it but I was not willing to ask as I dont like hassle and If you install and they say no what do you do..???... pay what they ask or tell the customer to foot the bill..

 

[moggy1968]

babba, I'm afraid you don't seem to understand the situation here. you are getting mixed up between G83/G59 and FiT banding.
A 4kw system with a 3.6kw inverter does not need DNO consent and will receive a FIT at the higher rate of either 21p or 43p depending on the outcome of the appeal. There is absolutely no need to wait for DNO approval, just get on and install it (providing there are no other systems in the immediate area in which case approval may be needed for any size system).
If you install a 4kW system with a 4kW inverter then you will need DNO approval, which is why most people fit 3.6kW inverters for 4kW systems.
There are also (arguably) benefits of fitting the smaller inverter in terms of efficiency.

 

[yellowvanman]

(providing there are no other systems in the immediate area in which case approval may be needed for any size system).

I don't think this would be an issue unless you were doing the others in the same street as well. You shouldn't be affected by someone else's prior work.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[JD6400]

I don't think this would be an issue unless you were doing the others in the same street as well. You shouldn't be affected by someone else's prior work.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I would see it that way too ?

 

[babba]

Moggy I touched on it about 6 months ago and we did use 3.6outd so just stuck to 3.68 systems with some DNOs and 4kw with others. I suppose it comes down to inverter choice. As far as im aware this only became an issue with dno about 9ish months ago
but I am open to suggestions on that on that one. I spend my time under a dno who will wave 4kw with sma 4000tl all day long no problem. I also believe it comes down to 16a black magic stuff.

 

[moggy1968]

there are a few DNOs I believe that will now allow 4kW under G83, sadly not the one I have to work with!
The G83 requirement is based on the output of the SYSTEM, not the panels, which is why a 4kW set of panels with a 3.6kW inverter is fine. the DNO should take the lower output of the two as the system output. by the same token if for some bizzare reason you put 3.6kW of panels on a 4kW inverter that would also be ok under G83.

Multiple installations in the same post code (which is what I meant by immediate area, although I don't know if it could extend beyond that to any house served by the same transformer) do require notification, for the same reason as larger scale installations, in order for the DNO to assess if the local network is being 'overloaded' with back feed for the same rather feeble reasons they have to approve installations over 4kW.
As such if you, say, did multiple installations on the same street (like a certain firm me and yellowvanman know!) the DNO could come back retrospectively and ask for the systems to be switched off and ask for payment from someone (you or the householders!) to survey and possibly upgrade the electrical infrastructure.
Strangely doesn't appear to be a problem in Germany!!

 

[babba]

I know its a load of bull I like an easy life, spoke to loads of people and came to the 3.68 and thats it or g59 and hassle if all goes silly and I didnt fancy picking up the bill, anyway 15 panels is cheaper than 16 save the customer some money.

 

[SolarCity]

I know its a load of bull I like an easy life, spoke to loads of people and came to the 3.68 and thats it or g59 and hassle if all goes silly and I didnt fancy picking up the bill, anyway 15 panels is cheaper than 16 save the customer some money.

But surely you have considered installing 4kWp of panels on a 16A limited inverter?

 

[moggy1968]

I know its a load of bull I like an easy life, spoke to loads of people and came to the 3.68 and thats it or g59 and hassle if all goes silly and I didnt fancy picking up the bill, anyway 15 panels is cheaper than 16 save the customer some money.

??????

 

[babba]

This was the dno advice at the time.
Single Installation up to 16 amps per Phase

 

[moggy1968]

In general, you will need our consent to connect generating equipment to our network. However, in the case of generating equipment rated at no more than 16 Amps per phase, consent is not needed, provided:

Which means you can connect a 4kW array with a 3.6kW inverter without consent because the max output is 16a

 

[babba]

Not the words I was told 3.68 max panels allowed and 16a inverter but thanks for the up date it will come in handy when my dno starts the black magic.

 

[SolarCity]

Your DNO has no say in it. You can put 10,000kWp of panels in as long as your inverter can only export 16A. Incidentally, as far as FITs are concerned, you can install 10,000kWp of panels as long as your inverter is still rated at no more than 4kWp.

 

[moggy1968]

really???
I was wondering about this as I put 17 235s on ahouse, split on a south and east roof. I had a spare panel and thought, well why not stick it on to maximise the output from the less than ideal orientation of one of the roofs but assumed as the panel capacity exceeded 4kW it would attract a lower FiT rate.
I think I posted on here about it and most people agreed.
this would be a way of making your 21p work better, put excess numbers of panels on to maximise your output under less than perfect conditions.
I do suspect it's not allowed though!

 

[babba]

O what a mine field the reason I dont step out of the box.