I had fitted a 4.4kW PV system, hybrid inverter and 5.2kW batteries back in May 21 before the energy crisis kicked in. Seeing the impending doom I ordered another 3 batteries in May 22 which took a couple of months to arrive, which was lucky at the time. Total usable is now 11.7kW (13kW actual) batteries.
System is a Fox Hybrid inverter, JA Solar panels and 5x Fox HV2600 batteries at 2.6kW each. 90% usable.
I work the system exactly as you detail, with solar in the summer topping up batteries and then using them to power the house in the evening. The 2 batteries worked well in summer of as would be full after max day usage and enough to last the evening and into the night. I usually gave it an hour top up at 03:30 -04:30 on Go cheap rates to cover the early morning before the sun rises and the cycle repeats. With the additional batteries I can make it through the night sometimes without any top up necessary. We are a very high usage house and I time shift all my usage to off peak.
My best month to date was October 22 when I managed 96.3% off peak that was with 962kW of grid usage and 604kW going between charging 2 cars (granny and wall charger). Solar generation that month for me was 493kW.
Winter usage shows our limitations, even with 5 batteries as when weather has been totally overcast batteries drain by main peak use time 5-7pm which is a shame.
I'm rambling, sorry...
System was purchased and installed by UPS Solar who did us a good job, no complaints from me with my install.
I bought the extra batteries from another supplier as their prices were significantly cheaper even though UPS told me I'd void the warranty apparently? When installed I spoke with Fox direct who did a remote firmware upgrade and we were good to go.
I have no EPS, like you, don't feel necesarry as power cuts amount to maybe 1 a year? So infrequent I can't remember when the last one was.
To your point, if you have the correct solar and inverter then add related batteries. If you need a hybrid inverter to do the job then these are currently available immediately provided you can find an installer? Batteries are also now more abundant it would appear? I can order the same system as I currently have from ITS Technologies (who I got the batteries from) for delivery this week according to their website. When I ordered my batteries it was displaying a 2 month wait so I'm guessing their inventory is fairly up to date and accurate?
Price wise, UPS current install is £2k more than I paid 2 years ago as there were offers back then. Probably equates to the 0% VAT difference?
Hope this helps?
