Hi I have been quoted on a system comprising
16 x 535 watt panels
FoxEss H1 G2 hybrid inverter
FoxESS ep12 plus battery
Questions
Is this a good system.?
Is the inverter a good one. I’ve seen mention of a K series and am assuming that is more recent?
Is there a lot of cost difference between the two and is it worth the difference (assuming that I can have that as the inverter )
Thanks in advance first dipping my toes into the solar power options
That is a good size of system, the H1 G2 is the latest generation of the H series inverter, the H series is a ‘small’ domestic hybrid inverter and has output sizes from 3kw to 6kw with 2 independent strings.
With 16*535 watt panels I would hope you are being quoted for the H1 6.0 (6kw output) which will need G99 approval from your DNO.
The KH inverter is the next size of inverter up, being a large domestic single phase inverter from 7 to 10.5kW output and can support either 3 or 4 strings.
If the 16 panels is the maximum you can fit then the H series will be the best size for you, if there is a chance you can add further panels to your system in the future you might want to consider getting the KH instead which would give you that extra expansion capability, if not stay with the H series - price wise there is only a few hundred pounds between them.
With 16*535 watt panels I would hope you are being quoted for the H1 6.0 (6kw output) which will need G99 approval from your DNO.
The KH inverter is the next size of inverter up, being a large domestic single phase inverter from 7 to 10.5kW output and can support either 3 or 4 strings.
If the 16 panels is the maximum you can fit then the H series will be the best size for you, if there is a chance you can add further panels to your system in the future you might want to consider getting the KH instead which would give you that extra expansion capability, if not stay with the H series - price wise there is only a few hundred pounds between them.
Thanks Dave I could expand at a later date if I put panels on the garage would I need to increase the battery size as well? Currently going to be EP12 plus
The typical progression when people buy solar for the first time is that after 6-12 months they wish they’d added more panels or batteries as they get real world stats of how it works for them.
When the main install goes ahead it’s wise to use the scaffold then to install all the possible panels as the cost to scaffold later may preclude you from adding more panels.
From what you have said adding more panels to the garage (as long as as it’s 4 or more), it would make sense to have a KH 7 with the extra string (MPPT).
The battery size depends very much on your typical usage, ideally you should look at your daily usage and have a battery that is (at least) 120% greater so that if you have a low tariff (such as an EV tariff or eco 7) in the low (no) solar months of December/January you can charge the batteries on the low tariff and run the house completely from them.
This is a slightly complex subject as it depends on whether you have a heat pump, an EV etc.. as to what the best battery capacity will be but ‘the I wish i’d added another battery’ is a common theme and so if you are in doubt it’s best to do that now as the install will be much cheaper to do that now than later - but if you are a very low power user i.e. ~8kwh per day the single battery will be ok.
When the main install goes ahead it’s wise to use the scaffold then to install all the possible panels as the cost to scaffold later may preclude you from adding more panels.
From what you have said adding more panels to the garage (as long as as it’s 4 or more), it would make sense to have a KH 7 with the extra string (MPPT).
The battery size depends very much on your typical usage, ideally you should look at your daily usage and have a battery that is (at least) 120% greater so that if you have a low tariff (such as an EV tariff or eco 7) in the low (no) solar months of December/January you can charge the batteries on the low tariff and run the house completely from them.
This is a slightly complex subject as it depends on whether you have a heat pump, an EV etc.. as to what the best battery capacity will be but ‘the I wish i’d added another battery’ is a common theme and so if you are in doubt it’s best to do that now as the install will be much cheaper to do that now than later - but if you are a very low power user i.e. ~8kwh per day the single battery will be ok.
Thanks very much my annual consumption of electricity is currently around 2490 kWh but my game plan is to sell back to the grid to reduce payback duration and eventually give myself a net income
Just note that the future of flat export tariffs where you get paid a flat xx p kWh might not always be there in the future.
The current ROI calculations are crystal ball stuff, if you fit plenty of panels now, whilst scaffolding is up, that's best.
You may have to think on getting more battery storage added at a later date, depending on what happens to solar export payments in the future.
A bigger battery would help you to save the solar during the day, and dump it during the typical evening peak period, where you can make much more money.
It's a complex call on what to do, a fair few variables.
The current ROI calculations are crystal ball stuff, if you fit plenty of panels now, whilst scaffolding is up, that's best.
You may have to think on getting more battery storage added at a later date, depending on what happens to solar export payments in the future.
A bigger battery would help you to save the solar during the day, and dump it during the typical evening peak period, where you can make much more money.
It's a complex call on what to do, a fair few variables.