Whats the feeling with Otovo then? I put in an initial enquiry and they've just called me. I'm getting very positive feelings from the call but there were some areas it felt like the person on the line wasn't fully aware of things (but I can put those down to her being more a sales person and me being well down the rabbit hole so asking very specific questions). She did say if I go to a next stage the Project Manager could likely cover them.
thoughts:
- They warned about efficiency of a north facing array but once I cleared up I understood that they were ok to proceed.
- pricing seems very reasonable especially at the moment. 10x415w panels + 9.12kwp pylontech setup and 3.68kw inverter £10300 (special offer, she originally said £10800). That includes £100 off using a referral code from here but is still cheaper than my Eon quote from last year for a similar sized install. They don't offer 0% but I think I can persuade my wife to do a one-off and then pay back the savings instead
She coudln't answer my depth of discharge or LFP questions which is fine - I can take a look at datasheets or ask online. But pylontech is presumably an internal install only. She mentioned building a cabinet outside but it'd have to be IP rated as I don't think the pylontechs would be - they're simple rack mount right? The other option was a growatt and I don't know anything about them but have heard them be mentioned here and there. Have to do more reading.
No bird protection included in the price - thats something they've been asked about a lot and are working to get their systems updated to include that as an option in the intiial quote, but they apparantly can look at that at the next stage - their subcontractors can handle it and they estimate around £500 on top
they said 2-3 months to install from order due to G98 timing. They can apprantly transfer G98 and I already have one from the Eon order which might speed things up.
Anyone have any other thoughts on Otovo, or thoughts about location for Growatt/pylontech batteries or their qualities generally?
summary costs - all were with 10x415W Trina panels and 3.68kw inverter, scaffolding and installation on a 2 storey building, and don't include optimisers or bird protection. no deposit, no payment until installed and running. warranty is with them which helps if subcontractors go out of business I guess.
- 9.12kwh pylontech (4x US2000C) + growatt 4000H inverter - £10724
- 10.12kwh pylontech (3x US3000C) + growatt 4000H inverter - £10374
- 13.68kwh pylontech (6x US2000C) + growatt 4000H inverter - £12822
- 12kwh growatt LFP (2x6kwh) (3.6kw growatt SPH3600) - £11800
(based on the 3000c seeming to have a discount I've gone back to ask for a price for a 4x3000c which should be between the 13.68 pylontech and the 12kwh growatt)
only thing I'm not sure about if if those systmes can also leverage my existing array which won't be touched. i.e do I need a separate inverter for that or specifiy an AC inverter? The eon install had a solis-1 inverter + a givenergy AC inverter. These all seem to just have an AC inverter.
