Got a 1100 euro refund cheque from Ecologics as they couldn't supply the Sunny Boy in the near future. And as the 29/2/2012 deadline for ESB grid-tied systems has elapsed I would have limited use for it.

Testing one of the 235W panels

Each of the 235W panels dwarfs the whole 60W array

Open circuit they produced around 36V

The angle to the sun is crucial. Here I only got 0.13 A.

But turning the panel fully to the sun gave me. 7.06 A

ESB free export meter and additional tariff grid-tied scheme expired.

This scheme had the following features:
1) Get your system spec approved by ESB
2) Get your inverter connect by electrician and cert to ESB
3) ESB would connect a feed-in meter for free
4) ESB would buy back units at 9 cents a unit (KWh) (Expires 31st Dec 2011)
5) Additional tariff or 10 cents for first 3000 units each year. This payment will be made to the first 4,000 micro-generators connected in the 3 years from February 2009 and will be paid over a 5 year period.(Expires 29th Feb 2012)
 

Bringing the panels up from Cork to Mayo

After attending a job interview in Limerick, I drove on to Cork to pick up the solar panels from the distribution warehouse. Unfortunately, a trailer tyre shredded at Oranmore on the way back with the panels

But a callout service fitted a new tyre that night so I got home that night and was ready to unload them the next morning

Bought a 1.17KW grid tied solar PV system

Bought the http://ecologics.ie/solar-packages-2/solar-pv-panels/ from Ecologics



Qty         Code               Description                                                             Unit total                    Total

5                                    235 watt Solar PV panels

1                                    Hilti Roof mounting kit for 5 PV panels
                                      includes 4 x 3m carrier rails, roof hooks and all
                                      necessary clamps

1                                    Sunny Boy SB1200 inverter

                                                                                                                                   Sub Total € 3000.00
                                                                                                                                VAT @23% € 690.00
                                                                                                                                       Total € €3,690.00

And below is how I expect to configure the system:  

Tested the Maplin 60W PV system

On a impulse I bought a 60W PV system from Maplins in Cork while I was passing...

I also bought a 12V battery

Bought a 12V 1KW inverter

Bought a 1KW 12v inverter (A12HQ) online from Maplin's UK (see http://www.maplin.co.uk/1000w-12v-inverter-224283) for 138.12 euros.

This is for the 60W PV system.