I am a new PV householder - advice please. Unbalanced strings and wrong inverter

[Somecamel]

Not to rock the boat here at all but on the smaller string (6 Panels) did they reduce the startup voltage to 185v?

 

[MickF]

Better to keep the boat rocking now, that will save them the expense of putting up the scaffolding again in a couple of weeks.

When the wires chaff through in a couple of years / the roof leaks in the next big downpour, and they have gone out of business. Who is going to pay for it then?

These faults are actually just as, if not more important than the string / inverter combination.

They will not be able to sign off the commissioning certificate or issue a buidling regs certificate with the way it is.

 

[juniperz]

Not to rock the boat here at all but on the smaller string (6 Panels) did they reduce the startup voltage to 185v?

I may be a complete amateur, but I did say above, that I would check that when I get home. It's almost as if I know what I am talking about! Thanks to you contributors.
Will have a think about the building related concerns when I have a chance - busy day.

 

[MickF]

Well done juniperz, I think it's incredible that you are able to keep your cool with all that's been going on

 

[sedgy34]

Thanks Mick. Not sure I understand that bit though.
Does it relate to grinding the backs of the tiles? Or to "Clamps should be on the 1/4 points of the panels +- 1/8th"?

I work away, but I will post pictures of the inverter, cu, isolator and meter installation when I am back home Thursday night.

You could have posted the best installation in the world and still have op pickin faults with it!

 

[provr6]

Not to rock the boat here at all but on the smaller string (6 Panels) did they reduce the startup voltage to 185v?

What's is the calculation to determine the min'm start up? I think it's something to do with one of the voltage specs on the panel x the No. of panels.

Is it detrimental to lower the start up voltage to the inverters min'm start up voltage in all situations?

 

[juniperz]

Better to keep the boat rocking now, that will save them the expense of putting up the scaffolding again in a couple of weeks.

When the wires chaff through in a couple of years / the roof leaks in the next big downpour, and they have gone out of business. Who is going to pay for it then?

These faults are actually just as, if not more important than the string / inverter combination.

They will not be able to sign off the commissioning certificate or issue a buidling regs certificate with the way it is.

What does the last sentence mean? I believe that the installer has to notify Building Control within a month or so, but if they think they have done a satisfactory job, what is to stop them just completing the two certificates you mention? Will Building Control come and check?

 

[MickF]

I reckon it would be possible to visit any install any body chooses and find soemthing that could have been done better with it.

However if someone says 'what do you see wrong with this?' it would be wrong not to give them your opinion, up to them then what they do about it. At least most of those items are fairly easily fixable.

And all credit to juniperz to act on the advice he's been given.

 

[MickF]

What does the last sentence mean? They are making declarations that everything this is right, so they shouldn't

I believe that the installer has to notify Building Control within a month or so, but if they think they have done a satisfactory job, what is to stop them just completing the two certificates you mention?
Nothing at all

Will Building Control come and check? They won't unless someone asks them to

​

 

[provr6]

What does the last sentence mean? I believe that the installer has to notify Building Control within a month or so, but if they think they have done a satisfactory job, what is to stop them just completing the two certificates you mention? Will Building Control come and check?

I think the previous post is a bit misleading (not mickf's but the one above your quote). They will be able to sign it off and commission it even if it's wrong (in their eyes its not wrong).

In terms of notifying building control within a month or so, I think you are referring to the Part P certificate. They have to issue their certficates within 28 days of comissioning (date on the mcs certificate) to Building control who will then issue a Part P certificate either directly to you or to your installer (some installers will ask for this to come to them and only release when paid in full).

This won't affect your fit registration. Strictly speaking Building control shoud be notified before the work started (not for Part P but to check the installation was being done to building regs - Don't worry too much though). Building control won't be interested in coming out and will issue the part P without looking at your install (unless you ask them to).

 

[Somecamel]

What's is the calculation to determine the min'm start up? I think it's something to do with one of the voltage specs on the panel x the No. of panels.

Is it detrimental to lower the start up voltage to the inverters min'm start up voltage in all situations?

Better still use this Power-One String Tool

 

[juniperz]

Better still use this Power-One String Tool

That's what I said at the top of page 7. And did ;-)

 

[Somecamel]

That's what I said at the top of page 7. And did ;-)

My bad, I need to learn to read

 

[juniperz]

And all credit to juniperz to act on the advice he's been given.

I have just hit 50 posts in a Solar sub-forum - I think I need to get out more!

 

[juniperz]

I think the previous post is a bit misleading (not mickf's but the one above your quote). They will be able to sign it off and commission it even if it's wrong (in their eyes its not wrong).

In terms of notifying building control within a month or so, I think you are referring to the Part P certificate. They have to issue their certficates within 28 days of comissioning (date on the mcs certificate) to Building control who will then issue a Part P certificate either directly to you or to your installer (some installers will ask for this to come to them and only release when paid in full).

This won't affect your fit registration. Strictly speaking Building control shoud be notified before the work started (not for Part P but to check the installation was being done to building regs - Don't worry too much though). Building control won't be interested in coming out and will issue the part P without looking at your install (unless you ask them to).

I just had a chat with one of the inspectors from Building Control. He didn't seem too concerned about the risk of water ingress from the brackets lifting the tiles, or brackets or untied cables. Certainly didn't think a visit was necessary, though also suggested that if the installer is in a "compentent persons scheme" they could self certify for structure and weather proofing, and he had no jurisdiction. No idea whether my installer is in such a scheme, though they are quite a large firm, so maybe they are.

I think I am on the verge of giving up the fight and getting on with my life...