Possible to self install 9.5kW battery?

Hi,

I noticed on the FAQ it refers to "the system" must be installed by someone qualified, but to what extent is "the system"? I have a hybrid 5.0 gen 1.

Is it possible to install the battery myself, provided I follow the instructions to the T, and retain warranty, considering it's almost plug and play? Rest of the system was installed by someone qualified.

Reason I ask is I'm being quoted 8K for a 9.5 kW battery when I can source it myself for a little under 4K... No way is the install 4K...

Anyone done this?

I do not believe the warranty will be honoured if not installed by an electrician, or at least someone who has done the GivEnergy installation course.

that charge to add a battery is silly. It should cost no more than £500 to have it installed. Any other installers available in your area?

I've been pondering the same myself - anyone competent should be able to mount it safely to a wall, then plug in the needed cabling without issue, certainly won't take that long and doesn't need that much of a cost surely?

TimI But it then needs to be commissioned by GE it is not something you can do yourself as engineers have a different portal.

How is it commissioned though? From reading the manual it seems to say just connect it and power it on?

I thought commissioning was for the inverter only (since you need to be signed up and so forth?)

TimI they can be free standing as well... Seems it should be doable by anyone as long as the inverter is powered off and isolated...

THALL I will have to see if I can shop around. I'll also see if I can twist the arm of the installer...

It's sadly not just connect up and go, you need an engineers login to tell the inverter you've added it so it actually uses it.
The systems as yet don't poll the batteries to see if anything has changed since last boot.

NotoriousPyro I am based in Norfolk, But last October I had 11x 400w panels added, a 2kw inverter replaced with an 8kw and a 9.5kw battery added for £7250. So your installer is taking the pee! Just found a quote for a 9.5kw fitted, nothing else from May 2022 for £3200. So based on the prices then my installer wanted £200 to install it. My install is external though so very VERY easy to access and do. But £250 - £500 max depending on location etc etc.

THALL Fair enough, thats the bit i wasn't sure about - was it just the inverter that needed the engeinerr commissioning or was it anything 🙂

THALL I think I mistook the figures, he clarified and said "no no, 2 batteries for £8000"

Whoops 🤣

NotoriousPyro Fully fitted? Thats a good price.

Your not even allowed to add a second battery yourself never mind a new inverter / battery

Why would you risk your warranty or anything else that could go wrong to save a few £

lifco , because some installers are quoting rip off prices.

Always check the equipment prices first through Midsummer, ITS and others, so you can see how much the installer is adding on to the price for labour and profit. Then shop around for an installer quoting a sensible price.

Note - A battery only install will be subject to VAT, unlike when there are solar panels involved.

I think its one of those things that yes, technically some of us would be more than capable of installing it. With that said, we aren't allowed and there is a sufficient gate put in the way with needing to log in and add it to the inverter and stuff that prevents us from doing so. I understand Giv's thinking, there could easily be an accident for someone who knows just enough to be dangerous and on top of that, if you install it wrong you'll expect them to help fix it or warranty it.

It would be nice then if a few less of the "approved installers" who are supposed to know what they are doing didn't make basic mistakes like using both cores of a twisted pair for CTs, or CTs round the wrong way etc.

There are plenty of companies that will just do the battery and some travel all over the place to do so so it shouldn't be hard to get a reasonable quote.

THALL yes fully fitted. They did the solar install of 5.5 kWp with bird guard and a 5.0 hybrid inverter for 7k which was best price I could find.
I think my confusion with it being two batteries and a lot of information already to take in made me think I was being quoted double for one 😂😂

NotoriousPyro see this GE installer training link and read the About section:
“It is a requirement that all people attending this course and installing our products are trained and qualified electricians, preferably with previous solar / battery installation experience. Note that if we are made aware of non qualified individuals installing GivEnergy equipment then warranties may be void and we reserve the right to remove associated parties from our approved installer program.”

i am looking into the same thing i have been quoted just over 4k for installation of an additional 9.5k battery to an exisiting system - try Titan Eco