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Alpha ESS SMILE5

 
Energy Storage
Last Post by Mars 4 years ago
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 dbrock
(@dbrock)
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Topic starter 10/04/2021 8:25 am  

I am looking to install about 28 PV panels giving around 9 kW and I would be grateful for any real world experience people have regarding batteries for this sized system.  My current energy usage is 5,876 kWh electricity and 20,887 kWh gas but I am also planning to replace my gas boiler with an ASHP.  My roof is in two parts.  The main part is unobstructed so my installer has recommended a 16 panel 5.44 kWh PV string array linked to an Alpha ESS SMILE5 inverter and 5.7 kWh battery at a very competitive price.  The second part of the roof is part-shaded after noon so I am planning on DC optimizers perhaps using SolarEdge to extend the whole system to 28 panels.

Does anyone have any experience of the SMILE5 system they would like to share?

Do anyone have any recommendations for a 9 kW system and battery?


   
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Mars
 Mars
(@editor)
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10/04/2021 8:36 am  

Welcome to the forums @dbrock. 

You're putting up a good sized array. Nice. What brand panels have you opted for? I'm not familiar with the ESS SMILE5 - we have a SolarEdge inverter for our 6.16kW solar PV system, which we're happy with. Do you have an air source heat pump or anything else that consumes vast amounts of power?

I'm not well versed in battery storage, but there are a number of users on the forums that have gone down this route and we recently published to two of their reviews. I'm sure they'll share their views and opinions in due course.

https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/tesla-powerwall

https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/giv-bat-5-2

Buy Bodge Buster – Homeowner Air Source Heat Pump Installation Guide: https://amzn.to/3NVndlU
From Zero to Heat Pump Hero: https://amzn.to/4bWkPFb

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 dbrock
(@dbrock)
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Posts: 2
Topic starter 10/04/2021 9:24 am  

Thanks for the reviews.  I have read them with interest.  My installer also suggested GivEnergy batteries and I am awaiting a quote on those.  The spec just refers to 340w panels.


   
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Mars
 Mars
(@editor)
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26293 kWhs
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Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 2990
10/04/2021 3:41 pm  

@dbrock, I'd ask them what brand panels they're proposing because there are some panels that work better in lower luminosities, when it's overcast and not sunny. That was one of the reasons we went for panels from JA solar. It's worth seeing what the brand is and reading some reviews online. 

Buy Bodge Buster – Homeowner Air Source Heat Pump Installation Guide: https://amzn.to/3NVndlU
From Zero to Heat Pump Hero: https://amzn.to/4bWkPFb

Subscribe and follow our Homeowners’ Q&A heat pump podcast


   
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