DIY Solar Power Part 1

Follow my progress in becoming power self sufficient using Viridian in roof solar panels and Enphase micro inverters. I will be expanding to a large system with battery back up as well as water heating and I will be doing all the work myself.

[@MichaelPickles]

For the price its better to charge battery's than heat water. When doing battery's I built one with off the shelf stuff like Victron. Price just for the battery's came to £170 per kWh (for reference a tesla Powerwall was £800 per kWh I think its at something like £400 now) If you like DIY and want to add to it later Victron is the way to go. I built a 82kWh battery (16 X 5.2kWh packs)

[@MrJonesDIY]

Thanks for the information and I am familiar with Victron from my work on ships. They supply excellent chargers etc. My initial plan was to follow the Enphase route but it also looks quite expensive and they will not supply unless I am have completed the installation and commissioning course. That is a huge battery system that you have. I am only using my spare power to heat the water whilst I am without batteries because it is cheaper heating with gas and using the spare power through the night etc. My main work at the moment is completing the conservatory roof but in and then more panels and ones from garden onto the garage roof.