G59 Process & Costs

[wozzit99]

Hi Solar g59

Find out from Power Networks what work is contestable and noncontestable. Contestable work can be contracted out to another contractor who might be able to do it cheaper, the noncontestable work has to be done through Power Networks.
Wozzit

 

[SRE]

I've just had a conversation with our DNO who has been really helpful but I nearly fell off my chair when I heard about the cost of upgrading the network. This particular property we're looking at is going to need a new transformer for installation of just under 50kw. Transformer 20k ish, about 8k per 40m span for the overhead and a new lv service @ 3k.

Now I'm confused, there's a cheaper option of another 3 phase which will take 12kw (+ 3.9 x 2 on another 2 single phases) but how on earth is anyone making money out of the Feed in Tariff on larger systems with these costs (transformers etc)??? By the time you've paid tax and interest on loans there isn't much to play with. What am I missing??????

 

[TedM]

Haggle. I've known some work done by DNOs to end up at half the original quote. Their first price always seems to be a try-on.

 

[Kram]

Very enlightening, i hope all goes well.

 

[PV Martin]

Hi Guys,
i know this is an old(ish) thread but i am just scouting around for G59 stuff as i am about to start a 120kW install, albeit on multiple properties, if i have any advice from what i have learnt its take the time to go and sut with your DNO, i am not saying it will always be the case but i went and spent 1 1/2 hours with a very helpful chap (Jan from UK power networks) and he basically took me through the whole process (including checking all the Cables and substation constraints) in front of me live, i indicated to him the inverters that i had built into the design, he went on the internet there and then to check the G59 certification and agreed my whole installation there and then, by the time i got home he had emailed me to say that the project has been approved!

just goes to show sometimes if you put in a bit of effort (and 1 1/2 hrs of time it saves so much aggro.

dont really help anyone just thought i would let y

 

[daytona600]

Pre-built & tested G59 control panels pre-set up for local DNO in IP65 enclosure
10kw £ 1149 50kw £ 1495 or bespoke to any size required to 5Mwp 240/415v LV & 3.3/40.5kv MV
micro/string/central/container inverters 200wp - 1.6Mwp
webservers/dataloggers/displays/snow & de-icing systems/yield&performance monitoring
pv modules - pv switchgear - pv mounting systems

pv 1 electrical Alex Nangle(Electrical) Ltd, Fuses,Fusegear,Circuit Breakers,control Gear, High Voltage - index

 

[officerdibble]

Hi Guys,

It's the G59 commissioning that I am a little puzzled about. Do you need to have someone with an injection test kit to demonstrate to the DNO during commissioning on site? and if so how much does this cost? or does the G59 certificate that comes with the inverter do.
I know they ask to be present when the commissioning happens.
Also G83/1, to what level of generation do the DNO's accept inverters to that standard?

Questions, questions.

Any Assistance would be most welcome.

Thanks

 

[SibertSolar]

@officerdribble - we would recommend a particular 3rd party that we work with for G59/2 on-site testing/commissioning. They charge around £460 per day for this service and the average system takes approx 4hrs to complete. Mileage costs are extra I believe. One of the the reasons to outsource this service is that the testing kit can cost around £11K to purchase. Standard factory test certs are provided with the G59/2 relay enclosures but an additional test report can be provided to show trip times etc for an additional cost of £100 per unit. Some DNOs will accept such a report for sign-off as oppose to on-site testing. Apparently, for systems at the smaller end of the spectrum, some DNOs will accept the G59 inverter test reports but I am told that it is rare and additional G59/2 relay enclosures are required by most DNOs.

If anyone needs G59/2 relay enclosures then we can provide any size solution within a couple of weeks lead-time.

Andy

 

[kmcgold]

Under 50kw external g59 relays not required until March 2012
I have used SMA 15000tl inverters changed the freq setting to 51.5 Hz and .5 sec guidance notes 2
with the dno permission
speak to the dno most are very helpful

 

[sunny]

I have found a company that can supply all the help and guidance regarding G59 panel building and witness testing, they were very clued up on all aspects and a good price. The panels had a relay, contactor and generation meter etc built in to one panel so the install was very easy and neat looking. They are RBB ELECTRICAL based in Nottinghamshire but do work all across the UK