50kW

[solgen]

Hi,

Customer has a large field attached to his property in which 50kW can be fitted. They have a single phase supply. Is it feasable for them to have a system this size installed?

What are the implications?

Thanks

 

[telectrix]

cows/horses trampling the panels? :24:

 

[solgen]

cows/horses trampling the panels? :24:

Nothing in the field its empty. The question is more about the technical feasability.

Thanks

 

[Ian-LS]

Hi,

Customer has a large field attached to his property in which 50kW can be fitted. They have a single phase supply. Is it feasable for them to have a system this size installed?

What are the implications?

Thanks

The most DNOs will usually allow is up to 15 kW AC on a single phase supply but it depends where the transformer is and what the size is. It could be feasible to upgrade the grid if its needed but usually the costs of doing this go into many thousands of pounds so most customers would be put off by this. You'll have to apply for permission from the DNO under G59

 

[Martyfox]

Yes, there's likely to be DNO costs involved for this. You could look into export limiting, though this can also be costly and not all DNOs will allow it. If there is high energy (heat or electricity) use on site it may well be worth it.

 

[Worcester]

Unlikely as Ian-LS says, DNO's (well WPD anyway) will, if the infrastructure can take it - and that is down to wether it is likely to be consumed locally on that phase - allow on occassion up to 17kW on a single phase, though 50kW would almost always have to be 3 phase (3 x 17 = 51)

So the likely answer is no it either won't be allowed or won't be economical - it would probably be cheaper to install a 3 phase supply ...

 

[SpitfireW'sale]

It would be a waste of time to pursue a 50kW on single phase IMO. Upgrading to 3 phase could be around £10-£15K depending on what is existing on/near site. This pretty much rules out the system unless they could do with 3 phase for other activities.

You are best off explaining this and then focusing on convincing them to go for a smaller system.

 

[monkeyelectric]

My mrs' mother wants a 50kW eventually, she's got 10kW now but to have the 50 she needs 3 phase putting in which apparently is on the dno's list of upgrade works to be done in the area anyway so its just a case of waiting for it to happen but i expect if she had asked them to upgrade it originally there would have been quite a hefty charge. Good old dno!

 

[solgen]

One thing I didn't mention was that the customer wants this project financing so from their perspective I don't suppose they care too much if there are hefty DNO fees! Is it likely they would get financing?

Appreciate all of your answers so far!"

Thanks

 

[Worcester]

Not without 3 phase in there already - because of the costs mentioned by Spitfire.

What you say though doesn't add up...

He would only want it financing if he was going to use all the power himself. (R2R and G2R don't pay 'ground rent' anymore)

Else he's just pitching for a 'ground to rent scheme' and if that was the case, where is he with planning permission etc etc and also if that's the case why stop at 50kW, sorry too much doesn't add up to make sense.

What's his postcode area - that will also influence if financing was likely.

 

[solgen]

Customer cannot afford the upfront cost of a PV system of this size. Their electricity bill is £300 - £400 per month. Postcode SE.

 

[TedM]

A 50kW system would make about £7.5k a year net from FiT and export (allowing for annual HH metering costs) assuming it is connected to a property with a 'D' or better EPC. There may, or may not, be scope for reducing their existing bill. Would need to know their usage profile first.

It will also need a 3-phase upgrade and planning permission (as a ground-mount) with the associated costs.

Until you know the cost of the 3-phase you cannot know whether it is a viable project.

 

[Martyfox]

If the property is large enough, it could well be worth diverting PV generation to heat in an accumulator tank to feed a wet heating system, assuming there is one. This limits export to a set level, whatever level DNO will accept without upgrade. Would cost a reasonable amount, but maybe less than 3 phase upgrade and has the benefit of offsetting their heating costs, too.

 

[Worcester]

This is where the EMMA unit came from - in Eire and France there is often a requirement to limit export, hence its price tag.

 

[Martyfox]

Exactly it... it does what it says on the tin. But as suggested, it's really only worth it if it's the only option. On this scale, and given the search for financing it may not add up. Good option if the finance is there though!