DIY Solar Panel Project

[plugsandsparks]

Hi guys, been thinking of solar for a while but house is up for sale (has been for over a year !) so held off but have had another thought as i have a place in spain which (looking at the bills) could do with it as well so here's my plan. Please feel free to tell me if its not doable.

1. Buy a kit from say PVkits, 1.5kw as i can just get 6 panels on the south facing roof in a U shape.
2. Install on roof and hook into mains in the normal way.
3. Dont bother with FIT just use the daytime savings.
4. Sell house in X years time, remove panels and put them up in Spain.
5. Build new house with proper shaped roof for solar. Get MCS done and install new bigger system and go for FIT, if it still exists..

cheers

 

[Gary K]

Don't know about FIT rules in Spain but in this country you could not use Panels that had been moved or are second hand to claim FITs so you may as well leave them on the house that you are selling. In that case you should get them fitted by a MCS registered company and claim FITs in the mean time, when you come to sell , add the cost of the system to the selling price and get the money back to get a new system installed when you move.

 

[plugsandsparks]

Wouldn't be bothering with fits for either site for this 1.5kw project. Only for the new house, when eventually its built, then would buy a new 4KW + system and get my MCS at the same time so i can then fit them for others.

 

[tommo1]

Can you fit panels and connect to grid and not claim any fit

 

[Earthstore]

Yes you can install PV and not claim the FIT but to most would seem pointless, a little like keeping your money in a high interest account and telling the bank to keep the interest.
That said, your install costs would be lower so it could work but your return on investment would take longer.

The problem is you should notify the DNO that you have connected a generator to their network (G83) if there are not any voltage problems in your area I am not too sure how they would know, but you would be running a risk.

Also if you do take the risk and noting gets questioned then you could move the system to another property and register it as new because in essence it would be.

Of course I would not recommend this type of install but the choice is yours.
I hope this helps.

 

[plugsandsparks]

Thanks for input. Already been looking at the total weight of 6 panels on the roof for building regs and had my tester on the mains for voltage. It used to be 239V but appears to have gone up to 248V, will keep an eye on it. Agree not going FIT looks odd but less so when you add in my costs of MCS and / or using an installer as my costs not going fit will be a third of the general prices for these things and i cannot say how long i would be there. So its less risky and when i take it down, will move it to Spain, there are no Fits anymore there but they gets loads of Sun and KWh are very expensive as VAT is full rate.

 

[Earthstore]

If you are going down the route of no FIT why are you looking into building regs?
They are not a requirement, what you should be able to show is structural calculations, wind loading calcs and part P,
If you believe your roof is strong enough why not just install them?
Or ask a structural engineer for an opinion.
If the voltage is below 253 a PV system should be fine as long as you install it correctly, making sure your AC cable from inverter to supply has a voltage drop of less the 1%.

As pointed out before though I would not advise this type of install but I understand what you are trying to do.

 

[plugsandsparks]

Was researching on planning portal all requirements and spotted something about planning not being requried but building regs would be - their quote
[h=2]Building Regulations[/h]If you wish to install a solar panel on your roof building regulations will normally apply.
The ability of the existing roof to carry the load (weight) of the panel will need to be checked and proven. Some strengthening work may be needed.
Building regulations also apply to other aspects of the work such as electrical installation. It is advisable to contact an installer who can provide the necessary advice."

I thought that meant i had to contact Building regs to let them know. I know its not a problem as at the weight bearing point there is a great big RSJ sitting on a wall

Thanks for VD limit, not looked at run lenght yet. Probably will go a bit over with the cable as its easy for me to get hold off.

 

[SW1970]

The problem is you should notify the DNO that you have connected a generator to their network (G83) if there are not any voltage problems in your area I am not too sure how they would know, but you would be running a risk.

They may know when the meter reader visits and sees panels, other equipment and meters and photos the installation. This link is particularly useful.

 

[plugsandsparks]

Thanks for that, it all makes sense, looks pretty straight forward.

 

[McMillan]

I had the same dilemma last year and finally I installed the panels myself. House was sold two months ago, so I disassembled solar panels and will use them for my ranch house. Have you checked and analyzed your power consumption thoroughly? Because if you are using more energy for heating the house than for all other aplliances, I can recommend you to build several 2KW, do-it-yourself solar panels for direct air heating. You can actually build the system for 200 euros more or less. If you decide to go that way, diy instructions for air solar panels can be found here solar.freeonplate.com/diy-how-to/

 

[Paolo Tedone]

Hi,
I'm from Barcelona, Spain.
Currently there are is FIT for new projects and is forbidden to install panels that connect to the plug.
There are talks about a 'net-metering' scheme < 100kw, but the lobbying from the large electrical companies against it is pretty strong.
Paolo