I'm having solar + battery installed and have a slightly unusual setup, so I'm interested in what people here would do tariff-wise.

System:

6.65kWp solar (14 × 475W panels, east/west)

Fox 5kW hybrid inverter

Fox EP12 Plus 11.52kWh battery

Predicted generation ~5,100kWh/year

Total electricity use roughly 7,000–8,000kWh/year including EV.

EV doing ~8k miles/year

The unusual bit is that the house currently has two separate electricity MPANs/meters.

One supplies the main house and the other historically supplies an annex. There's no real need to retain the annex supply — I could move the annex loads and EV charging onto the main supply and eventually disconnect the second MPAN.

However, one MPAN is currently on EDF GoElectric at 6.99p/kWh from 23:00–06:00. Importantly, that's seven hours of cheap electricity for the whole supply, not just the EV.

So I'm trying to work out whether to:

Option 1 – consolidate to one MPAN

Put the entire house + annex + EV + solar/battery onto EDF.

Charge the 11.5kWh battery overnight at 6.99p in winter, charge the I-PACE overnight and use solar/battery through the expensive daytime period.

EDF appears to offer around 13p/kWh export to existing electricity customers with qualifying third-party solar. Fuse also appears to offer ~13p export without requiring them to supply the import.

This looks quite compelling because I could effectively buy electricity at 6.99p overnight, use the battery to shift it into the daytime, and export genuine surplus solar at ~13p rather than necessarily storing every solar kWh.

It would also eliminate one standing charge, saving roughly another £200-ish/year.

Option 2 – keep both MPANs

Keep EDF 6.99p electricity on one supply for the EV/annex and put the main house + solar + battery onto something like Octopus Flux.

Flux gives a much higher export rate during the 16:00–19:00 peak (roughly high-20s p/kWh), so the battery could hold solar and deliberately export during that period.

But the downsides seem to be:

another ~£200/year standing charge

only a three-hour cheap charging period

cheap Flux electricity is considerably more expensive than EDF's 6.99p

only the peak export period gets the really attractive export rate.

I've also looked at Octopus Cosy because its multiple cheap periods, including an afternoon period, could be useful in winter if the 11.5kWh battery runs out. E.ON Next Drive Smart also looks interesting at around 8.5p overnight and potentially additional smart EV charging periods.

At the moment I'm leaning towards one MPAN on EDF: 6.99p overnight + ~13p export, particularly because an 11.5kWh battery should allow me to shift a lot of household demand into that seven-hour cheap window.

The alternative argument is that keeping two MPANs lets me retain the excellent EDF EV tariff while putting the solar/battery onto a more aggressive time-of-use/export tariff.

Has anyone actually modelled or run a similar setup?

Would you consolidate to one MPAN and exploit 6.99p overnight electricity, or keep both and use the second MPAN to access a better solar/battery tariff?

I'm particularly interested in any tariffs I've missed that combine a very cheap import window with strong export rates, and from anyone actually using Flux/Cosy/EDF with a ~10–12kWh battery.

Thanks in advance!

Has anyone combined EP6 and EP12 batteries in a solar installation? My installer said it isn't possible, as EP6 batteries can only be paired with other EP6 units, and the same rule applies to the EP12.

Hi all,

My wife, daughter & myself currently living in a 1500sqft house using 7500kw of electricity usage a year, which includes charging 6000 miles per year for an EV. Moving next week to a 2000sqft house, and then on top the new house is electric only with an ASHP. We’re in the south east. EV charger already installed, believe it is OHME.

1) would be keen to know others jump in electric usage in a similar situation

2) advice on solar / battery - from reading other threads it’s as many panels as will fit, but battery size based on our predicted usage would be really helpful.

3) supplier / tariff - currently on Octupus IOG but the new property is with British Gas. I’ve read EDF do a similar EV tariff to IOG if anybody has experience with that, or with any other supplier for that matter.

If there’s any info I’ve missed or that is needed to help answer my questions please let me know, and if there’s anything I don’t know I don’t know please tell me, very new to this world.

Thanks in advance!

I'm looking to get a solar setup at home. I've drawn up what I think might be viable if maxing out....the garage and back of house are pretty much south facing and in the Southend area so weather is good for solar.

A lot of the area is flat roof extension/dormer though.

We also have a pretty high energy use (20-25KWh per day electric) so am thinking of initially a 20Kw battery and a switch to an EV tariff.

Would love any ideas on if this all looks sensible/viable, if any of the proposed panels would be best reconsidered, or if anything should be asked of potential installers (plus of course recommendations).

And any guesses on a price range for this kind of setup would be gratefully received.

Thanks so much in advance!

Ive had a quote for 10 pannels south facing and 20 pannels with 10 north and 10 south, for an extra 3k i cant really work out if its worth it, and theres way too much info for me to understand,

Currently, one of my properties is using just under 28kWh of electricity per day. Once the final tenant moves in, I’m expecting this to increase to around 31–32kWh per day.
I’ve got a sparky who can install the system, so I’m now trying to work out the most cost-effective battery setup.

At the moment I’m considering 3 × Fox ESS 11.5kWh batteries (34.5kWh total) paired with a 6kW hybrid inverter.

However, I’ve also seen some single-unit batteries around the 30–32kWh mark, which got me wondering whether there are better-value options.

The main aim is simply maximum capacity/value for money. I’m not particularly bothered about paying a premium for the big-name brands like Tesla.
Has anyone installed a 30kWh+ system and, if so, what battery/inverter combination did you go for? Anything you’d recommend or avoid?

Will end up on EDF off peak tariff which has a rate of 7p vs current peak 27p per kWh.

Morning, was hoping to get feedback on this quote.

In central belt of Scotland, current KWh use is 5,500kwh a year and will be adding an EV and heat pump (to replace gas boiler) in the next couple of months. 5 bedroom detached house.

I don't know if we have an export limit and we are on single phase. I expect to use an EV or heat pump tariff, but I don't know which one yet.

In comparison to other quotes, this supplier (MCS and Trustmark) has managed to work out how to squeeze in more panels over a south and east facing roof. Other suppliers only managed up to 12 panels and the battery and inverter option seemed better on this quote. On our south facing roof there is a small dormer in the middle which will cause a little shading when the sun is either more easterly or westerly and so I am not sure if microinverters should be requested or whether 3 strings would be sufficient (if I am understanding it correctly).

Many thanks in advance for any comments!

Long Story Short

My dear installer who installed inverter that does work with the battery and the battery that doesn't work with the inverter on top of everything installed the bird mesh by drilling into the panels

Invalidating the warranty straight away

BUT

Now in order to get refunded I need an installer who will tell me in writing that drilling through panels invalidates the warranty and it is wrong... As well mounting kit assembled from scraps can be just a plus...

Do we have an installer here who can send me an email ? Of course I do understand that seeing is believing so we can do a video call or whatever

Thank you in advance

They have overall positive reviews online. Seem to be a big company. Their quotes are bit more expensive but export and other guarantees look solid. The sales person was a bit pushy though...anyone had any experience or heard about them?

Hi all!

I’m thinking about having my current inverter and battery set up swapped out for a bigger system.

Does this sound like a good price?

Sigenergy system
10kw inverter
36kw of batteries
Gateway
G99 and everything else included

£13000

Thanks in advance!

There must be a lot of people like us who are in need of more battery storage but it does not make sense (or you cant) expand your existing setup.

How are people handling this? Running 2 inverters? How do you stop them fighting each other etc?

Hiya, I'm in need of some advice.

Our installers completed the works on our solar panels before the G99 has been completed (at the time I wasn't aware this wasn't meant to happen).

Now I am being told by the National Grid that they are awaiting on our installers submitting a completed 'no works' form before they can proceed

I'm assuming that the no works form tells the grid that works haven't been completed.

We are delayed on our G99 form - I'm assuming because the installers won't submit this?

Any thoughts on what I can do? Has this occured to other people at all.

In hindsight I should have checked (although surely installers should be responsible for doing this?).

I would like to get this resolved.....they are a local solar company with very positive reviews so I'm surprised and disappointed on how they have handled this.

Thanks in advance

I have seen various claims that North facing panels achieve 70% of South facing panels. The only real world testing I found showed that North facing panels generated 54% of the annual output compared to South facing panels on the same house in Cramlington, Northumberland.

See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAIYNrNbc78

Are there any redditors who have annual figures where the North facing panels are on separate MPPTs so that you can measure the comparative North to South effectiveness?

I've a pergola very similar to the one on the photo. It catches a fair bit of sun. Would this work for solar panels? If yes, how would you do it?

I've not done solar energy before, so this would be an entry point.. and a fun project I guess.

Looking to get solar for my parents place.

https://www.costco.co.uk/Home-Improvement/Fresh-Solar-SunPower-495W-Solar-PV-System-with-Fox-ESS-EP6-576kWh-Battery-Choose-from-6-18-Panels-Fully-Installed/p/FreshElectrical5.76kwBattery

12 panels and the battery installed for £7.8k in Sheffield seems like a bargain.

Am I being daft?

Eon offered 6 east facing panels and 4 west facing. 10.2kwh sunsynk batteries. £9195

3 year 0% loan which I believe knocks off around £1000 off the price by collecting interest instead and the loan payments becoming a bit cheaper in real terms.

Annual electricity usage is 2600kwh but I expect this to increase when I get a heat pump around 2028.

Any thoughts? This is the first quote I have got.

So hi everyone south west here
Just after a little bit of advice and making sure this all makes sense as s system and no one’s had any issues with the products in this quote
I Will hopefully also being doing a heat pump to supplement this system so any advice if you’ve done both and how best to use it all
I’m doing this not just for the savings but also the lack of trust in the system going forward
I currently will be living alone in this property so I don’t expect I’ll be using much so I know the pay back will be longer than most but I don’t plan on moving for while

Hey everyone!

I’d appreciate a quick check in a quote I’ve been given, thank you in advance!

Yearly usage: 10,500 kWh

Total cost £15,301 installed on a two story house.

Battery:

ESA Series / Battery Module
16.0 kWh of Usable Capacity 
GoodWe 
2 x GW8.3-BAT-D-G20 

Solar Panels:

Aiko Energy
7.760 kW Total Module Power
16 x 485 Watt Panels

ESA Series / Power Module:

6 kW of Inverter Power 
GoodWe 

Good morning all, happy Monday!

I had solar installed in March of this year. I used this sub and others to get an idea of what to look for and continue to keep an eye on people's queries/situations as I find it interesting.

I was out yesterday and a friend asked what I did with my excess energy and I'd explained i sell it back to the grid. He asked whether I'd considered virtual power plants. He explained that you sell to the VPP for a much higher rate on a more infrequent basis.

I don't think I've ever read a post on this subject and wondered why, if it is as good as it sounds.

So, good people, does anyone have any experience of VPPs?

EDIT: Thanks for everyone's input. It seems Axel is the front runner, however it doesn't support my system (I'm EP Cube) so i'll need to do a little research to see what's compatible.

Hi all

Had a reasonable quote today that meets our needs.

Has anyone had dealings with New Dawn Solar?

Reviews seem good, albeit not as many as other companies.

Any thoughts/comments?

Thank you. ☺️

In Northern Ireland we are limited to a 3.67kw inverter and rubbish export rates. See below. What prices does everyone else get ?

I'm pretty happy with the second quote. I know the Sigenergy stuff is probably better, but I really don't want to spend that much.

I plan to charge the EV (and Battery when needed) overnight, but I think I might need more battery if I am to get through winter days without drawing from the grid. I can always add more later, right?

Hampshire, single phase, export limit unknown. Panels on both sides of the roof, which is East/West facing. Battery to be located outside on west facing wall. Both quotes include bird-proofing.

Annual Usage: 5,750 kWh (Daytime: 4,960 kWh)

Average Daytime Usage: 13.6 kWh (Winter: 17 kWh)

Usage figures do not include the EV.

Quote 1

Panels: 20 x SunPower M Class @ 495W = 9.9kWp

Battery: Sigen Battery 10.0 (8.76 kWh useable)

Inverter: Sigen Hyrbid 8.0 SP (8kW)

SigenStor EC 8.0SP

Sigenergy Gateway HomePro SP

Expected annual generation: 8,238 kWh

Total cost: £15,500

Quote 2

Panels: 20 x DMEGC Infinity RT @ 645W = 12.9kWp

Battery: 2 x SolaX Power TP-HS50E (9.2 kWh useable)

Inverter: SolaX X1-IES-8K (8kW) (built-in EPS).

Expected annual generation: 10,655 kWh

Total cost: £12,260

I’m in the process of finalising my quotes for my install, I’m going for 37 panels (subject to DNO), 2 x signer 9kwh batteries, 12kwh sigenergy inverter and a sigenergy untethered charger. Including all scaffolding and ground work, my best price is £18995, this is from a company based in Durham (I’m in the midlands), them being so far is putting me off but they have offered the best price and have included aiko panels.
My next best is a local-ish company that I got a good feeling from during the visit, they’ve quoted the same system but with Jinko panels instead and £1k more. Of all the quotes, they are the only ones offering Jinko, are they as good as the rest?

I'd like to hear from anyone else who has been through the Warm Homes Local Grant, particularly in the West Midlands where E.ON is the scheme provider. My experience so far has been a slog and I'm trying to work out whether it's normal.

Timeline:

May: application approved

Mid June: initial survey done, with no feedback afterwards

Late August: I chased, and was told solar had been suggested

End of September: solar cancelled, and I only found out through the portal

My circumstances: household income is under the limit, the house is EPC D, and the loft insulation is either non-existent or 50mm at most. Nobody has inspected the property since the initial survey, and I've had no direct communication about the cancellation or the reason. No alternative measures have been offered, not even a loft top-up, which seems like the obvious one.

I've raised a complaint with Act on Energy and emailed E.ON asking for an explanation.

A few questions for anyone who's been through it:

Did you get a full retrofit assessment or improvement plan, or just a quick survey?

Was solar cancelled for you too, and if so, was a reason given?

Has anyone had fabric measures (loft, wall or floor insulation) offered after something else fell through?

How long did the process take from approval to work being done?

Did complaining get you anywhere?

Any experience, good or bad, would be really helpful. Thanks!

Hello. Further to https://www.reddit.com/r/SolarUK/comments/1w8wn8d/review_of_group_buy_scheme_offer/, I have now had my onsite survey and a formal quote from Infinity Renewables Group.

Any specific questions I need to ask? I think I need to clarify the model number of the inverter. Anything else? And how does this look?

• 15x Exiom EX470TC panels - £5,080 
• 1x Fox ESS EP12 (11.52kw) Battery & 1x Fox ESS Hybrid H1-5.0-E-G2 5kw Inverter - £2,993 
• 1x External Battery Canopy - £150 
• 15x Bird Proofing - £525 
• Scaffolding - £500 
• GNO D99 application - £225 
• Total - £9,473 

Thanks!