Change of plans

[Safcsappers]

I have over the last year collected parts for a solar panel system including;
10x used solar panels,
1x Hosola 2500w grid tie inverter,
1x DC isolator,
1x 240v isolator
Roof rails and brackets,
MC4 cables, connectors and tools.
Plans change however and the original plan was to assemble the system on a property in the UK.
The plan now is to use the system in Italy but I would like a full off grid system.
Which parts do I keep and what parts do I need including recommendations for a battery storage and inverter?
The property in Italy is a "normal" residential property with mains electricity available but used as a holiday home.
Solar panels will be ground mounted and south facing.

 

[houseofancients]

I have over the last year collected parts for a solar panel system including;
10x used solar panels,
1x Hosola 2500w grid tie inverter,
1x DC isolator,
1x 240v isolator
Roof rails and brackets,
MC4 cables, connectors and tools.
Plans change however and the original plan was to assemble the system on a property in the UK.
The plan now is to use the system in Italy but I would like a full off grid system.
Which parts do I keep and what parts do I need including recommendations for a battery storage and inverter?
The property in Italy is a "normal" residential property with mains electricity available but used as a holiday home.
Solar panels will be ground mounted and south facing.

i think, with the exception of your inverter you can keep most...
obviously you will need batteries, and depending on your expected load/usuage you may need to add more panels, but the ones you have could perfectly be used, maybe put any new panels into a seperate string

 

[MichaelK]

Depending on what inverter you want, you might chose an AiO, or build a component system. In either case, pay close attention to the voltage limits of the charge controller (section?). 10 panels is sort of an oddball number for solar systems. You are stuck with only 10S1P, 5S2P, 2S5P, and 1S10P as wiring configurations for your panels. Usually any number divisible by either 3 or 4 works best.

What are the specs of your panels? How are you actually going to get them to Italy? Since high-voltage residential panels are getting so cheap, it might be more cost-effective to just buy panels locally at the new location? Here in California, it's easy to find 250W, 30V residential panels for ~40USD right now. What is Italy like?

I'd suggest going with a 48V whole-home system, which most likely will require more than 10 panels. I personally like single-pole ground mounts that can be rotated East to West. Here is a pic of one of my mounts, that can hold six 250W panels.

Before making any more purchases, first make an itemized list of what you intend to power. Are you planning on cooking with gas or electric? Will you be running an air-conditioner? Historically, how many kWh of power have you consumed in the past with your lifestyle? Lots of details needed to correctly scale a workable system that won't let you down.

 

[Safcsappers]

Depending on what inverter you want, you might chose an AiO, or build a component system. In either case, pay close attention to the voltage limits of the charge controller (section?). 10 panels is sort of an oddball number for solar systems. You are stuck with only 10S1P, 5S2P, 2S5P, and 1S10P as wiring configurations for your panels. Usually any number divisible by either 3 or 4 works best.

What are the specs of your panels? How are you actually going to get them to Italy? Since high-voltage residential panels are getting so cheap, it might be more cost-effective to just buy panels locally at the new location? Here in California, it's easy to find 250W, 30V residential panels for ~40USD right now. What is Italy like?

I'd suggest going with a 48V whole-home system, which most likely will require more than 10 panels. I personally like single-pole ground mounts that can be rotated East to West. Here is a pic of one of my mounts, that can hold six 250W panels.

Before making any more purchases, first make an itemized list of what you intend to power. Are you planning on cooking with gas or electric? Will you be running an air-conditioner? Historically, how many kWh of power have you consumed in the past with your lifestyle? Lots of details needed to correctly scale a workable system that won't let you down.

There are some great ideas there. The property in Italy is a holiday home so will only have basic electronics, TV, kettle, refridgerator etc. We are buying a van to transport the solar panels and various tools for decorating, gardening and other property maintenance including a generator for initial electricity supply. I don't know what solar availability is like in the part of Italy we are going to, hence we are taking it with us. It's a 1200 mile trip.

 

[MichaelK]

Yes, I just went to Craigslist, and tried a couple of Italian locations, and found nothing? I sure that they market panels somewhere, but I assume I'm not searching in the right venue. Could other European members chime in here as to proper panel shopping venues for Italy? BTW, about where will the home be located, Rome, Milan, ect?

In any case, with the list you are mentioning, I'd say you'll need at least 2-3kWh of power per day, minimum, if you have a refrigerator running 24/7. Let's assume you are in a Northern location like Milan, and you get 3sunhours in December, and 6sh in June. With 3sh in December, you'll need at least 3000Wh/3sh = 1000W of panels to make the 3kWh you need per day (sunny weather). For cloudy/rainy weather where you might only get 0.5sh in December, the panel wattage goes up to about 6000W. I can confirm this with the reading of my own cabin system, which currently has 6500W online.

Can you post the specifications for the panels you already have? There will be a sticker with values for the Vmp, Voc, Isc, Imp pasted on the back of the panel. If the panel wattage you already have is inadequate, you can add addtional parallel strings, as long as the new string has the same voltage as the original strings (within 5%).

 

[mikefitz]

don't know what solar availability is like

https://www.leroymerlin.it/prodotti/elettricita-automazioni-e-smart-home/pannelli-fotovoltaici-e-solari/

There will be someone local.
One problem you may have is getting through French customs, perhaps having to pay inport fees.
I don't know the local codes and regulations in Italy, but in Portugal only a licenced professional can carry out a solar install.
Check the supply, it may be 3 phase

 

[Safcsappers]

Yes, I just went to Craigslist, and tried a couple of Italian locations, and found nothing? I sure that they market panels somewhere, but I assume I'm not searching in the right venue. Could other European members chime in here as to proper panel shopping venues for Italy? BTW, about where will the home be located, Rome, Milan, ect?

In any case, with the list you are mentioning, I'd say you'll need at least 2-3kWh of power per day, minimum, if you have a refrigerator running 24/7. Let's assume you are in a Northern location like Milan, and you get 3sunhours in December, and 6sh in June. With 3sh in December, you'll need at least 3000Wh/3sh = 1000W of panels to make the 3kWh you need per day (sunny weather). For cloudy/rainy weather where you might only get 0.5sh in December, the panel wattage goes up to about 6000W. I can confirm this with the reading of my own cabin system, which currently has 6500W online.

Can you post the specifications for the panels you already have? There will be a sticker with values for the Vmp, Voc, Isc, Imp pasted on the back of the panel. If the panel wattage you already have is inadequate, you can add addtional parallel strings, as long as the new string has the same voltage as the original strings (within 5%).

 

[Safcsappers]

Hi, thanks for the reply. We will be based in central Italy, half-way between Rome and Naples and half-way across the country. The electricity is single phase but we are hoping for a complete off grid system. We have 10 panels and all fittings and cables so far. We are looking at inverter/charger and storage batteries. We have generator power (2200W) if needed. There is mains supply electricity available so may just use the grid tie inverter and batteries to offset that. It's all on the table at the moment as we are still at the paying the deposit for the property and wading through Italian red tape!

 

[Safcsappers]

https://www.leroymerlin.it/prodotti/elettricita-automazioni-e-smart-home/pannelli-fotovoltaici-e-solari/

There will be someone local.
One problem you may have is getting through French customs, perhaps having to pay inport fees.
I don't know the local codes and regulations in Italy, but in Portugal only a licenced professional can carry out a solar install.
Check the supply, it may be 3 phase

Thanks for the reply. The supply is single phase. Thanks for the heads up regarding French customs as we will be transporting kitchen appliances and white goods along with tools etc.