Installation Day of the East West Solar System

Well, the installation of the East West solar panel array actually started yesterday afternoon on the 6th December. Unexpectedly while my father was out, the solar installation company phoned to ask if it would be OK to arrive at 14.30 and begin work. This was agreed as he would be back in enough time to clear a few obstacles and put some cover sheets down.

However, shortly after the call, at 12.30 the installation team knocked on the door. My mother was at home, and understandably, was quite shocked and worried as what to do next – she quickly phoned my father who would make his way home as soon as possible. In the mean time, against what was decided and arranged at the time of the survey, the installers wanted to start installing the inverter in the loft. My mother obviously knew enough about the arrangements to stop them and say that she understood that it was to be put on the wall under the stairs. Not a good start so far!

My father was home in time to oversee and advise for the rest of the afternoon’s work. This saw the inverter correctly mounted in the appropriate place and the start of some of the roof rail fixings.

Today, on Wednesday the 7th December, the installation was all but completed apart from some home plugs which would be used to connect the Solaredge system to the internet. I went around to see the final stages and was pretty shocked to see the state of my parents garden, kitchen floor and hallway. In fact, I would go as far to say that it looked as if the garden was now indoors. It had been somewhat wet leading up until the solar installation day but this was ridiculous There was mud everywhere – it was a good job that I was available to help them clear the mess. Sheets were put down for them and paper too, but there was no respect shown here.

I can not comment on the actual fitting yet, but my father mentioned a few areas that we would need to check later. This included the loft area directly underneath the end ridge tile. He had heard one of the installer shout ‘stop’ rather suddenly to the other who was drilling inside only to then re-drill elsewhere.

I’ll have a look later in the week at the installation and report with full details including some photographs. But for now, the solar panels are up and working. Tomorrow I will sort out and submit the FIT application.