Beginner's guide to solar PV

A simple question, but Uncle Google does not help.

I gather that there is normally an a.c. isolator means of isolation adjacent to the inverter. What sort of cable is normally used to connect that to a CU please? T&E?

I ask simply because I want to get my installation "solar-ready" as far as possible.

TurboGen said:

And thinking longer term, I wonder how all of these batteries installed in people's homes are going to be safely managed as they steadily degrade and reach end of life.

Thank you folks for confirming what I thought.

That's an interesting point. Will batteries simply lose the ability to store power, in which case they will need to be replaced at some point? 

My fire alarms have a "sell-by" date on them, so they have to be replaced after 10 years. A typical warranty is 10 years, so perhaps routine replacement should be considered at that stage?

The LG Chem Lithium Ion BESS mentioned in the article use Ternary Lithium chemistry cells containing Magnesium and Cobalt. All of the new batteries currently available in the Lithium Ion BESS market are Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) chemistry cells which contain no Magnesium or Cobalt. Chalk and cheese.

There's no way a rechargeable battery will last forever. There will be a warranty, maybe 10 years.

In most cases, the battery will gradually deteriorate rather than failing suddenly.

Newer chemistries, such as lithium iron phosphate or sodium ion may well last longer than the old lithium ion.

Thank you, Steve - very reassuring.

Maybe it's time to check my LG Chem batteries against the latest recall list. It seems that LG batteries are known for their flammability

It feels that the risks from LiFePO4 batteries pale into against the current practice of connecting homes to an almost unlimited supply of immediately highly flammable and potentially explosive gas (orLPG cylinders), routing it through building voids in thin metal pipes with weak on-site made joint and without any means of automatic shut-off. www.independent.co.uk/.../gas-explosions-uk-investigation-safety-b1794742.html

   - Andy.

Yes the evidence does point to LFP batteries being safer than NMC, but they are still electro-chemical cells, there's still the potential for internal faults to result in off-gassing and release of flammable or hazardous gasses, so in terms of managing any risk, still better to place those batteries outside of the building in a non-confined, well ventilated location where possible,

There have been some incidents reported involving home LFP installations:

www.pv-magazine.com/.../

TurboGen said:

There have been some incidents reported involving home LFP installations:

That was quite a big one for domestic, even if 3-phase.

AJJewsbury said:

It feels that the risks from LiFePO4 batteries pale into against the current practice of connecting homes to an almost unlimited supply of immediately highly flammable and potentially explosive gas

All you need is a somewhat demented older person, who turns on the gas stove, but forgets to light it.

Luckily, modern gas stoves have flame out detectors. On mine, if you turn the knob and leave it, nothing happens. To light it, I have to press the knob down which overrides the thermocouple and operates the ignitor.

I remember this report at the time. Seeing as it's from 2023, it would be nice to see the final report. If this was indeed caused by LiFePo4 chemistry cells, then any issue of gas build up is easily mitigated by requiring the batteries be installed inside a cabinet attached to an external wall with a vent/chimney to the outside.

I remember this report at the time. Seeing as it's from 2023, it would be nice to see the final report. If this was indeed caused by LiFePo4 chemistry cells, then any issue of gas build up is easily mitigated by requiring the batteries be installed inside a cabinet attached to an external wall with a vent/chimney to the outside.