lumendecens
About to start the #SolarPanel journey here in #Roscommon
Ohkenergy through Electric Ireland have quoted €6650 for 12 panels (5.3 kw). Work from home. Planning to get an #EV from Kia (free charger if I switch to Energia) in next 6 months.
Panels will be mounted facing SW on a newly built shed/garage with a secondary electrical panel. Right by the house.
Any thoughts or 'tales from the front' would be appreciated.
#solar #kia #connacht
May 11 at 6:08pmWeb
Show threadTriploidTreeMay 11
@lumendecens max out the panels, all roofs are fair game. Get a hybrid inverter even if you're not yet in on the battery thing. Connect the lot up to home assistant for an additional hobby.
Check out the quotes thread in the renewable energy forum on boards to see if you're happy with the price
Show threadlumendecensMay 12
@triploidtree That's super advice - thank you. Not sure I need a new hobby though - too many on the go already!! But I'm sure I'll get sucked right in once installed!
Price seems reasonable. With maxing the panels, that will push the payback a bit further down the road than I want. But you got me reviewing more closely and I think 14 panels is looking the best option for my situation.
Show threadTom AndraszekMay 11
@lumendecens - 5.3 kW seems to be on a small side in 2026. I installed 6.5 kW in 2016. My panels produce from 40 kWh a day in summer to 20 kWh in winter on sunny days. Our car battery is 40 kWh. This year we added a home battery - it allows using the surplus energy later, instead of giving it away for free during the day. Good luck!
Show threadlumendecensMay 12
@tom_andraszek Thank you! A few replies got me thinking and you are right - it is on the smaller size. 14 panels now looking better. Looking to connect the battery down the road and the inverter being offered supports that.
Show threadTom AndraszekMay 12
@lumendecens - good decisions, especially the hybrid inverter.
Show threadTom AndraszekMay 12
@lumendecens - the only issue with the hybrid inverter is how compatible it is with different batteries. I think some of them work only with batteries from the same manufacturer.
Show threadTom AndraszekMay 12
@lumendecens - on the other hand, going with a new PV panels only inverter is possibly a waste - if you add a battery and DC couple the system later, which is the smart way to do to have full control of the system and a battery recharged by solar panels in case of grid being down. That's the problem we have in Australia now: there are tens of thousands of perfectly good, used inverters that cannot be sold. I have had mine listed on Gumtree for A$150 for months, eventually, it will go to the tip.
Show threadlumendecens6d ago
@tom_andraszek Such a waste to have to toss inverters or any equipment. Recovery cost for what can be recovered so high. The Solis converter they use supports a massive range of batteries, so should be safe on that front.
Show threadlumendecens6d ago
@tom_andraszek went for 14 panel, about 6.5. About 5% extra to add those extra 2 panels. Seems the smart option to go a bit bigger alright. Deposit paid, engineer due out, and install about 12 weeks away. 🤞🏼
Show threadloptaMay 14
@lumendecens I've wanted them for years but so many were destroyed by the recent hailstorm. Insurance aside, I wonder how many had paid for themselves before that happened.
Show threadlumendecens6d ago
@lopta Oh that would be a new worry for sure! Not much hail in my spot tbh. But maybe solar panel are hail magnets...