Two options - looking for thoughts!
Looking at a solar installation, and come up with two options - the "sensible/traditional" option, and the "maximalist" option. I would appreciated some feedback! We live just outside Glasgow, so long days in summer and short in winter, but reasonable cloud cover throughout the year.
Roofs - south-west facing, 15 degree angle, and north-east facing large roof at 5 degree angle.
Usage - probably around 7000-9000kwh/year, depending on ASHP usage in the winter. We have just moved in so actual usage over winter is still an estimate.
Option 1:
- 14 panels on south-west facing roof. 15 degree angle. 10kw battery, 5kw inverter. Looking at Fox, Duracell, Givenergy and Sigenergy for these installs, estimates ranging from around 9k - 14k depending on battery brand and installer.
Option 2: 14 panels on south-west facing roof, and 26 panels on north-east facing roof for total of 40 panels. 10kw battery still, looking at 11kw inverter. Again, Fox, Givenergy, Duracell, Sigenergy and Tesla PW3. PW3 seems to be a reasonable choice in this scenario, as relatively affordable given single inverter is enough, and battery capacity is good. Estimates range from around 14k-19k (lower end estimates are from national companies who I'm sure would sub-contract, larger estimates from local more reputable companies).
My thoughts - go for the big install and hope for large export with DNO. I think 8kw export is achievable, and even with this export limit I think the big install will still make sense as will probably only clip exports <10% of the time. Ideally 10kw export, which would mean a bit more summer profit and a better ROI. I would ideally maximally export during the winter, and then switch to a cheaper import tariff (probably Cosy) in the winter months. The larger array would also mean I could probably cover all of my usage (and more) for 9 months of the year, using the battery to reduce the cost of winter energy.
Is the big install too bold? Smaller install more sensible? With panels being relatively cheap the difference between the two options is less than I was expecting, hence looking at maximising roof space but potentially going a bit too overboard.
I would welcome opinions - what have I missed? Any major oversights?
Posted Sep 2, 2025, 3:36 PM UTC