Hello from Magdeburg, Germany

Don_Karlos · 03-29-22, 12:36 PM

Hi everybody,
my name is Karl and I'm from Germany. I'm an Automotive Engineer and try to improve my DIY skills every day since I started learning 58 Years ago. Now, since Energy Costs are rising every day I started to plan a new PV System on the roof. I already have one since 10 years and also a Solar Heating System. Now I want to use the Power of my roof by myself instead of sending it in the grid for money. For me, the best way here in Germany is to use the PV System in an Island configuration because of the very complicated regulations. This directed my research quickly to the Heat Pump Systems. Since I have a simple Mini Split System with 24000 BTU Heating and Cooling Capacity in the shelf, I think about converting it to an Air 2 Water System. That is the Reason for joining this Forum. I hope you can give me some advice!
Greetings
Karl

pinballlooking · 03-29-22, 04:40 PM

Welcome
sounds like some fun projects.
How much solar do you have installed?

Robl · 03-30-22, 03:50 AM

We are in a similar position. We have 4kWp of solar, and I'd like to add more, but we can't export more than 16A (just under 4kW). I think one solution for us is to use battery storage with a "hybrid" inverter and new PV panels. The inverter knows the overall house import/export power, and can be programmed to charge batteries from this additional PV and use this energy to offset house loads but never export. Such a system is made by "Givenergy", I'm sure others do likewise.
What is your existing A2A system - what is the gas? It's usually clearly labelled R??. Most of these gasses should not be allowed to escape into the atmosphere, but instead carefully captured - there are exceptions such as R290. Many of the systems on this forum use R290(propane) for this reason.
Good luck!

Don_Karlos · 03-30-22, 08:25 AM

Hi,
I have 12 sqm high efficiency Sun Collectors on the roof connected to a 1000l hot water boiler and 4KWp PV Panels connected in two strings to my inverter which currently is feeding 100% in the Grid. I will add 6 KWp as an Island system next week.
The Mini Split AC is a simple none Inverter Unit with the factory filled in Gas in it (pumped down R410a). R410a is a Refrigerant which you can't buy in Germany without license. So, refills and Service have to be done by a certified technician.

03-29-22, 12:36 PM	#1
Don_Karlos Lurking Renovator Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Magdeburg, Germany Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hello from Magdeburg, Germany Hi everybody, my name is Karl and I'm from Germany. I'm an Automotive Engineer and try to improve my DIY skills every day since I started learning 58 Years ago. Now, since Energy Costs are rising every day I started to plan a new PV System on the roof. I already have one since 10 years and also a Solar Heating System. Now I want to use the Power of my roof by myself instead of sending it in the grid for money. For me, the best way here in Germany is to use the PV System in an Island configuration because of the very complicated regulations. This directed my research quickly to the Heat Pump Systems. Since I have a simple Mini Split System with 24000 BTU Heating and Cooling Capacity in the shelf, I think about converting it to an Air 2 Water System. That is the Reason for joining this Forum. I hope you can give me some advice! Greetings Karl

03-29-22, 04:40 PM	#2
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Welcome sounds like some fun projects. How much solar do you have installed? __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-30-22, 03:50 AM	#3
Robl Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 31 Thanks: 3 Thanked 27 Times in 14 Posts	We are in a similar position. We have 4kWp of solar, and I'd like to add more, but we can't export more than 16A (just under 4kW). I think one solution for us is to use battery storage with a "hybrid" inverter and new PV panels. The inverter knows the overall house import/export power, and can be programmed to charge batteries from this additional PV and use this energy to offset house loads but never export. Such a system is made by "Givenergy", I'm sure others do likewise. What is your existing A2A system - what is the gas? It's usually clearly labelled R??. Most of these gasses should not be allowed to escape into the atmosphere, but instead carefully captured - there are exceptions such as R290. Many of the systems on this forum use R290(propane) for this reason. Good luck!

03-30-22, 08:25 AM	#4
Don_Karlos Lurking Renovator Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Magdeburg, Germany Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hi, I have 12 sqm high efficiency Sun Collectors on the roof connected to a 1000l hot water boiler and 4KWp PV Panels connected in two strings to my inverter which currently is feeding 100% in the Grid. I will add 6 KWp as an Island system next week. The Mini Split AC is a simple none Inverter Unit with the factory filled in Gas in it (pumped down R410a). R410a is a Refrigerant which you can't buy in Germany without license. So, refills and Service have to be done by a certified technician.