Gen 1 AC inverter G99 Export limit

So I am looking at replacing my 14 year old panels which are performing at 50% less than expected.

This would involve putting in a new 7kW inverter to replace the existing 3.5 solar inverter non GE kit tied into the FiT scheme.

I have a separate 3.5 GE AC Gen 1 inverter for my batteries (5.2 & 2.6)

The DNO have said yes but have limited my export to 4.5kW.

Does the old GE 3.5 AC gen 1 inverter have the capability of being limited?

I will do some googling but wondered if anyone has had this with the old kit. The likely hood is that I will use the battery Gen 1 AC inverter to try and soak up the solar excess on the days I exceed the 4.5 limit, but I need to ensure I can't ever send more than 4.5 down the grid.

M_J I can't be sure with the weather like it is at the moment but my DNO limit is 6kW and my Solaredge inverter is also 6kW. So when I export from the batteries through my AC3.0 gen1 it throttles back so that I stay within my 6kW DNO limit. E.g. Solar producing 5kW so my battery inverter adds just 1kW. Otherwise potentially I could export 9kW. It does this by reading the grid meter and only adding what it's allowed to. The Solaredge never throttles back.

Is that what you asked?

Yes. With my app you can check the Export Limit under the Inverter Controls. You should also check under Grid Controls that Grid Meter is On, but it will be.

Great I will check the app when I am back in the UK tomorrow.

My understanding is that all inverters have to have the DNO limit configured on them so that you can't exceed it.

M_J This would involve putting in a new 7kW inverter to replace the existing 3.5 solar inverter non GE kit tied into the FiT scheme.

There is a process to go through to replace any parts of a FIT installation. You have to get prior approval, and if you end up with a bigger setup than your original 4kW FIT array then you will receive pro-rata generation payments.
At least it has been thought about. Details on the ofgem website or your FIT supplier.

Surprising to hear that your FIT panels are dropping off in performance. Mine were 10 years old last month and I've not been able to see any appreciable dropoff in performance year to year. Maybe one of your panels has failed and that's pulling a whole string down?

And yes, you can configure a DNO limit on an AC 3 inverter

Here's what mine says...

geoffreycoan Surprising to hear that your FIT panels are dropping off in performance.

80 solar slates, bleeding edge 14 years ago and not manufactured anymore.

Yep I am following the right process with Octopus FiT team.

Thanks for the information my supplier has confirmed independently and they have used GE kit in the past. Past being the key word...

😉

Cheers for all the helpful comments from folk...