What's your opinion on + 4kW peak?

[wstevew]

Yes but if 8kwp of panels on a 3600TL was considered >=4kWp for FIT purposes. how could they object if only 4kWp at any one time is connected. Its like having an array you can move.

 

[nowty]

The point is some people including myself think that 8kw of panels on a 3600TL is perfectly legal for <=4kw FIT purposes as the tech defenition seems to be the inverter output.

However if it turns out (through the courts, etc) that >4kw of panels on the roof is not legal for <=4kw FIT purposes then your idea of a switched system will probably also be illegal for the same reason, i.e. you have got more than 4kw on your roof. The fact that it does not make sense is irrelavent.

 

[Ian-LS]

If you put 8 kwp on a west/east roof that would generate approx 6000 kwh per year so surely this would get flagged up by ofgem or your energy provider as it would be a lot higher than any other 3.68 kw declared system.

I would also say that really with east/west splits you should only put on a system that would generate as much as a 4-4.5 kwp system in a south facing roof. So that would mean 3kw on each roof taking it up to a 6 kw pv system which would be sensible imo.

That said until the tic and dnc situation has been clarified i cannot quote for greater than 4 kw pv systems and quote at 21p/kwh fit rate.

 

[moggy1968]

I was thinking of about 20 panels (5kW) for an East/West roof on 3.6 inverter split equally between the 2

 

[BruceB]

I have done almost exactly that with an additional x3 panels facing south on a soladin 600 and the DNO (WPD) agreed, albeit after a spirited discussion, that it fell within the G83 16A limit. It took some 3D trig to prove it though.

 

[Gavin A]

I was thinking of about 20 panels (5kW) for an East/West roof on 3.6 inverter split equally between the 2

we've done this several times, one of which we've installed remote half hourly monitoring on, so will have a lot of data for once we hit peak summer.

 

[saggers]

What was the outcome of this debate?

 

[TedM]

Do you mean the TIC definition part or having a switched 8kWp system?

On the TIC definition BruceB was pretty much spot on with his post of 19/03/2012. DECC/OFGEM provided clarification that TIC (on which tariff bands are based) is calculated for PV by Wp of a panel times the number of panels.

Their clarification was the subject of a FOI request by myself which you can read here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/determination_of_method_of_calcu

Regarding a switched 8 kWp system - I don't think there was any specific resolution. Now, of course, the lowest FIT band is 10 kW so it would be a moot point in any case.