r/uksolar

Hi all, very new to this so please bear with me! I'd love some insights and a bit of education on what I'm seeing with my modest setup.

I have 3 x 460W panels on my garage roof – two facing east and one facing west. The two east-facing panels are linked in parallel into the PV1 input on my Ecoflow Stream microinverter, and the west-facing panel goes straight into PV2.

During this recent run of good weather in the UK, I've noticed PV1 (the two parallel panels) is maxing out at around 392W. No shading on any of the panels and we've had clear skies for the last couple of days.

I know the 460W rating is measured under ideal lab conditions (STC) and real-world output will always be lower, but I was expecting two panels in parallel to push a bit higher than 392W between them. That works out to roughly 196W per panel, which feels low even accounting for real-world losses.

Can anyone sanity check this for me? Is there something in my setup I might be missing that could improve output, or are these figures actually realistic given the panel orientation, UK conditions, and the Ecoflow Stream's input limits?

Appreciate any help – this community has been a great resource while I've been getting started!

I noticed something interesting this week. Home batteries are no longer just appearing in specialist solar shops,they're now showing up in mainstream retailers like Costco. That feels like a shift. It reminds me of Germany a few years ago, where batteries became familiar before plug-in solar really took off. Once people understood storing their own electricity, adding solar became the natural next step.

I'm curious whether the UK follows the same path. Are home batteries becoming the gateway technology that gets more households thinking about self-generation, especially for renters and people without rooftop solar? Or will they remain a niche backup product?

I saw these on a pallet in Costco. I'm sure they will everywhere soon

Hi guys

I’m just finishing off my DIY 4kw solar, 3.68kwh inverter install with a 16kwh battery..

It’ll soon be time to make my G98 application

My question, does anyone know if the forms attached here are all I need to fill in and send to the DNO?

I’ve seen another MUCH MUCH longer set of application forms online with loads of testing result fields to fill in and so I’m a bit confused which to send in.

Naturally I’d rather do the shorter simpler ones (attached), but I’m really trying to avoid looking like I have no idea what I’m doing to the DNO

Any assistance much appreciated

Thanks

Hi,

 

I’m having solar installed at the same time as a loft extension, so the scaffold will already be in place.

I’m in Bristol and the roof faces 24° from south with a 15° pitch and no shade.

Annual usage currently 4,500 (kWh) but I plan to get an electric car after solar is installed.

Solar company spec’d a 6.89kW system.  The inverter and battery will be sited in an integral garage
I would appreciate your thoughts on the solution and the price.

 

13 x Aiko Neostar 3S+ 530W Dual Glass All Black NType ABC Bifacial

Fox ESS H1 G2 5.0kW 1ph Hybrid Inverter

Fox ESS EP12 Plus 11.52kWh Li-ion Battery w/ heating function

K2 SolidRail mounting system

Bird proofing mesh

 

£9,500 incl VAT