solar pv - no spare way

[Markc]

Sorry not strictly true. The array does not have to go into its own board. The inverter (If grid connected) can go back to any spare way on a consumer unit and be marked up accordingly. As for back feeding the MCB is protecting the inverter not offering protection INTO the existing system and so acts just the same as any protection device on any circuit. The protection INTO the property is offered by the Inverter and if grid power is lost the inverter automatically shuts down the PV system.[/QUOTe

Youre right Mark,thanks for putting me right,what i meant to say,was that i would put it on a separate board ,to avoid any grief later in the event of a fault,as then you can eliminate that particular circuit/install from the equation..

Think ive read the original question wrong....if hes got two fuseways in the board and uses the spare to protect the inverter,is he assuming that the shower will be fed off this also??

Be Lucky

I have considered that option myself, Putting in a separate board just for the PV system. I can see merits to it and there is no regulation to prevent it. We seem to of been on a run of installs were a spare way was available and for neatness we have utilised it. One of my concerns using this option is one of future works that may or may not be conducted within the property. Having a separate board along side the main one may be missed for isolation when alterations are conducted on the existing electrical system. I agree it will be labelled and warning notices warning of more than one source but it would be reliant on the electrician to act on it. Agree also same to some degree when in the main board if a spare way was utilised. Still not sure but not an issue anyway.

I think he is assuming anything generated would go into the shower as that is the only thing connected to that board. Its a understandable assumption from my experience as many see PV as white man's magic. Even those who fit it!!!!!!!!!

Regards

Mark

 

[lloyd1980]

got talked through it by gut whon ran a PV company
pannels mounted on ali frames
pos and neg through a DC invertor to an AC isolator
cable down to board, through another AC isolator and meter
into board and into 16A breaker
thats it

 

[wattsup]

Just use a 2amp change over switch (if sunny) if usually cloudy (normal) use a 20 ma switch from maplins. Installation is cheap, cable size needs to be no greater than 0.5mm - If all goes well it would power your pc, enabling you to find info on soloar power

 

[mmccx]

Hi,
I recently took the City & Guilds PV course. I haven't done an install yet but i've been to take a look at some possible jobs. At one of the jobs i noticed there was no spare way in the main consumer unit. There was however a smaller 2 way consumer unit spurred off the supply tails via a henley block. This smaller unit supplied an electric shower and had one spare way. If i used this spare way for the PV system am I correct in assuming that the only item of equipment that will benefit from the electriciity generated will be the shower and not the circuits fed from the main consumer unit?


Thanks.

No, all circuits in the dwelling will benefit,

 

[skip]

sorry to but in the cost is 800 pounds cheers skip

 

[Treadwarm]

I managed to get my qms pack, mentoring, training and assessment from a company called easy mcs. it is looking like it will cost about £1500 in total but i get a 0% loan as i am in Wales. easy mcs sorted all this out for me it was simple.

 

[coxy84]

I managed to get my qms pack, mentoring, training and assessment from a company called easy mcs. it is looking like it will cost about £1500 in total but i get a 0% loan as i am in Wales. easy mcs sorted all this out for me it was simple.

hi treadwarm
im very interested in this 0% loan and the training/assessment could you pm me with more info?

 

[Treadwarm]

hi treadwarm
im very interested in this 0% loan and the training/assessment could you pm me with more info?

Hi coxy,

to be honest I do not have much to tell or send you I got everything from a company called easy mcs in Chester defo worth a call, the website is Cost & Pain Free MCS Installer Accreditation & Certification. Anything I can help with just give a shout.

 

[TedM]

Coxy, there is more info on the Welsh Microgen Network here - Welsh Assembly Government | Welsh Microgen Network ...

Fill in and return the 'Expression of Interest' form on that link and send to the Energy Saving Trust who are running the scheme.

 

[coxy84]

thanks ted! just done that now! lets see what happens!

 

[Treadwarm]

Its Really good Coxy, you can claim around £1700 for two technologies and then you pack it back for around £70 a month, you do have to outlay the money first but once you get you certificate you send a copy to them and you have the money in your account within 3 working days. Its nice to be helped out for a change i managed to get my a full bespoke QMS, the QMS Mentoring, product training and assessment all within the £1700.

Good luck let me know if i can help with anything.

 

[coxy84]

Thanks treadwarm
im going to give them a call tomorrow.
just a little clarification if i did you manage to get a 0% interest loan for all the QMS, the QMS Mentoring, training and assessment or did you have to pay the money up front for all of this and then they pay it back to after?
i would would like to move forward with this but i dont have a spare grand or so kicking about! plus dont see the point of the 0% loan if you have the money any way.

have you done the training yet? if so what was it like?

i really appreciate your help and advise
martin

 

[Treadwarm]

Hi Martin,

Yes unfortunately you do have to put the money in yourself first then you get it back within three days of passing your certification.

I was in a similar position myself but i went to the bank and shown them my confirmation letter from the bank and they arranged a small business loan.

I will make one payment towards the loan but should have everything done in around six weeks so will get it paid off as soon as the money hits.

I have not gone on the PV training yet, I am booked on a course in mid Jan so will let you know what it is like. But i am busy reading up on the QMS i bought and have been given some tips to implement that at the moment.

Anything i can help with just ask as i have been through the mcs process a few times with other companies i have worked for and for my own for heat pumps.

 

[coxy84]

thats great thanks!
im sure ill be in touch when i get the ball rolling .
did you buy the qms from them?
good luck with every thing!
id be interested in hearing any devlopment!

 

[Treadwarm]

Yeah I use to work with one of the guys who set it up so he did me a good deal they will do all you need on the QMS stuff but give me a shout if you have any questions with regard to the installation side and i will do what I can.