Retrofitting Nedap

[devspark01]

Just a quick one.

Does anybody see a problem with retrofitting a Nedap inverter (with battery back up) to an existing PV system?
Any possible issues with FiT provider or DNO perhaps?

Thanks!

 

[SpitfireW'sale]

Should be fine so long as you stay under 16A per phase, or if you originally had DNO permission to go above that limit, you don't exceed what was originally allowed for.

We are looking closely at these inverters as they are well built and offer something different for domestic systems. It would be good to hear any feedback from those who have used them in the past.

 

[SolarRoofSols]

I have been thinking the same thing devspark! I think i will put in a call to DNO to see if I can get an answer from them. Spitfire, if you start to stock them can you let me have some details please?

 

[infinity]

Do you mean remove existing inverter to install this in its place? What are the benefits of these then?
..Just off to google it...

 

[SpitfireW'sale]

Basic idea is: A dual MPP inverter, monitoring package, energy management system and battery system charge controller in one unit. (it is grid tied as well) It will charge batteries when there is surplus power from the array and store it so it can be used in the evening.

There are lead or lithium battery options.

 

[The Solar King]

I talked to someone who had fitted one of these and had to remove it due mainly to software problems that couldn't (or wouldn't) be fixed. It wouldn't do what it said on the tin. They were less than pleased with the whole episode. Looks expensive as well.

 

[devspark01]

Thanks Solar King.
We are pricing up one for my business partner, we want to fit one at his place and use that as a demo for prospective customers. I will let you know how it goes.
Your are right about it being expensive!

 

[Vrai]

Nedap promised a lot. For the price we expected it to perform well even in the UK climate. However it didn't. We had to replace it with a non-battery storage inverter. Nedap took time to accept that the inverter just wasn't working the way it should.

 

[SolarRoofSols]

Do you have any details as to how it prove itself not to work? Could it have been a faulty unit? Were the panels used not suitable? What was the installation set up? did the inverter work but the batteries lacking? what did it generate and over what period of time?

We are considering adding this to our offering so any experience you have to convey would be appreciated.

 

[devspark01]

Do you have any details as to how it prove itself not to work? Could it have been a faulty unit? Were the panels used not suitable? What was the installation set up? did the inverter work but the batteries lacking? what did it generate and over what period of time?

We are considering adding this to our offering so any experience you have to convey would be appreciated.

Hello SolarRoofsSols.
(I can't reply to your message any other way, I haven't done enough posts apparently).
Yes, Nuvision, they were helpful. 2020 solar was the other one we tried. They were a couple of hundred cheaper for the whole package.
I'm a bit disappointed with a couple of the posts on this thread, it's taken the shine off the idea.

 

[The Solar King]

I am trying to get more info from the people involved. If they are forthcoming I will post anything useful.

 

[The Solar King]

Managed to speak to the people. Installation can be tricky. Despite good technical support there were still issues. Other problem was software interface not being 100%. Customer was not prepared to wait for yet another firmware upgrade. Hopefully this is now resolved.

I always get twitchy if it appears you end up relying on the customer for any form of product development. I would want good in-depth product training before contemplating these. It is likely we will see more products of a similar nature from some of the big hitters entering the market place in the coming months. Sometimes it doesn't pay to be an early adopter.