Home Solar System - Panel Placements Victoria

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  chartparker on 04/10/2018 - 07:18

  1) Yeah I'm having the same issues. 3 different companies, 3 different layouts and none of them agree with a single layout
  2) Haven't heard or read about that one before, and finding the information is really hard because every installer seems to say something different (which SHOULDN'T be the case for standards)
  3) Not sure, but there might some fine print in your contract about it?

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  JimmyF on 04/10/2018 - 09:16

  +1

  The weird thing is that I've got different roof plans from each of the companies

  Based on your mixed roof layout, please spend the extra and get micro inverters, otherwise you'll have crappy output using a string setup on the N/E/W layouts.

  Mixed roof directions = micro inverters or own string per direction.

  • 

    GammaMelb on 04/10/2018 - 13:10

    Thanks - that's about an extra 2k to the price for microinverters… :(

    • 

      JimmyF on 04/10/2018 - 13:44

      yeah but its the differeance of the solar working at its best or not.

      • 

        GammaMelb on 04/10/2018 - 14:01

        True - but my budget was around 2k, and I only got in because of the Govt rebate.

        • 

          JimmyF on 04/10/2018 - 15:03

          @GammaMelb: Maybe lower your system size etc to get a good working solar system for your location?

          Have a read up on string systems around shading etc when one or two panels are blocked via shade.

          This is what you'll be suffering having the panels facing different directions unless on different strings.

          So better to get a smaller system that is outputting its max than a larger system only doing 50% of its rated output.

          At least with the smaller one, you can grow as needed.

          • 

            timthetoolman on 04/10/2018 - 17:15

            +1

            @JimmyF: Having optimisers isn't going to do any good if op has two orientations with zero shading (aside cloud, bird poo etc)

            Unless they want all 3 orientations they will need them, but otherwise it's just a waste of money.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 05/10/2018 - 11:34

    -1

    Plenty of inverters allow for multiple strings on different faces. Micro inverter on each panel is over the top

    • 

      JimmyF on 05/10/2018 - 11:51

      -1

      If you you read my reply you would see

      Mixed roof directions = micro inverters or own string per direction.

      The problem with strings, is you need a minimum number of panels to make the string work, so if the OP doesn't meet that requirement per string/direction, then micros is the only answer.

      Or just put them all on one string and complain that solar is 'crap' and not worth the money from sub standard output.

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 05/10/2018 - 15:13

        -1

        The minimum is typically 6 or 7. But it will work with less than 6 or 7, but less efficiently. Sounds like OPs system meets that minimum

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  DaddyJi on 04/10/2018 - 09:18

  As someone who has worked for a solar company previously, I can tell you that:

  1. Layouts do not matter. Its about which side of your house gets more sunlight for maximum duration.
     The panels are bigger if they are 330kW (as compared to 275kW)
  2. There is no such recommendation by the CEC.
  3. In such a case, they would reduce the price under a new contract (with your agreement, of course)
  • 

    poboy on 04/10/2018 - 09:54

    +1

    Victoria has access to higher feed in rates in the afternoon, so West facing does matter. Plus, if layout doesn't matter, why does noone install all panels on a South side roof?

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  sane on 04/10/2018 - 10:54

  Hmm, well you don't give what your roof looks like, but I guess your north facing roof isn't well setup for panels. If one says they can fit 6 out of 18 then it must be small, or shaded. As such I can kind of see why there might be the discrepancy - both are trying to see you the biggest system they can, using a two string inverter. So for one of them they put what they can on the north, and for some reason put the rest on the east (maybe it's better positioned?). The other forgets the north and splits them west and east where there is more space.

  You'd have to do modelling to work out which was really best.

  6 panels at, say, 250W isn't going to go far (1.5kW).

  West is better for the post 3pm tariff, but the sun is lower in the sky and production obviously less. On the other hand, you are more likely to be able to use it directly.

  Might look (if you have the garden for it) if you could have a shed with solar on it's roof, orientated properly. Either that or look to a smaller system that could be expanded later.

  • 

    GammaMelb on 04/10/2018 - 13:29

    Here is some additional information.

    House is north facing - so top is north

    Original contracted layout from Co #1 - using 275kw Poly panels x 24 for 6.6kw system (4 extra free panels)
    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/102065/62688/1.png

    From Co #1 - proposed revised roof layout using 300kw mono panels x 18 for 5.4kw system
    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/102065/62689/2.jpg

    From Co #2 - using 300kw mono panels x 22 for 6.6 kw system
    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/102065/62690/3.png

    • 

      sane on 04/10/2018 - 14:47

      Hmm, as thought, not ideal for placement. I guess they looked at the east face because of the chimney on the west face.

      Think I might be aiming at 300kW panels, 10 facing north (3kW), 8 facing west (2.4kW)(or rather NNE and WNW if north is actually directly up) on two strings. That 29c late afternoon tariff would seem enticing. Potentially you could have a few on the garage, on the same string as the other north roof.

      None of it looks wonderful, or picturesque, though.

      • 

        GammaMelb on 04/10/2018 - 15:01

        Thanks - so how do I cut the bull with Co#1 on how the panels could be placed ?

        • 

          sane on 04/10/2018 - 15:49

          @GammaMelb: No idea how you are dealing with them, but in theory the salesman should be wanting to win business. So mention the idea of North+West and see if they start sucking teeth.

          You might mention the 29c tariff and see what they say. You might also do the research to find if companies are actually offering it (even though they should be, it is recent). I'm not sure if it applies where you are, but I assume from your username it does.

          There really ought to be a simple online tool out there to model and tell you the results for different setups - but I can find no sign of one.

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  thegourou20 on 05/10/2018 - 11:07

  Hi OP, I am contemplating of putting 5.5kW solar panel as well. Would you mind sharing the quotes that you got so that I can have idea about price?

  Thank you.