Solar panels and attic insulation - which should be done first?

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Protocol

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I would like to get solar panels, but I also want to improve the wall and attic insulation.

The wall insulation would be pumped into the cavity.

I assume the attic insulation will involve laying extra or replacement insulation between the ceiling joists

As well as better insulation in the attic, I also want to have floor sheets / boards placed in part (not all) of the attic.



Which should be done first - the solar panels, or the attic insulation?

I presume the inverter might go in the attic?
 
We had exactly the same done last year and were advised to have wall and loft insulation/boardng done first.The insulation company needed to add a couple of roof vents to the loft, and the solar people were able to fit panels around that. It made sense to have the jobs done that way round.

Our inverter went in a workshop, a few metres from the house via an underground cable. Inverters can generate a fair amount of heat and need ventilation, while attics can get hot, so it's generally now not advised to site them up there if you have an alternative location.
 
Do the attic insulation and flooring first if that's where you're siting your inverter/battery. I'd advise that if you have an interlinked smoke alarm, that you add another alarm up there before you do the flooring - I'm having to raise my flooring now to access the smoke alarm loop in the first floor ceiling and it's a hassle after all the work I've done up there.

I also placed a ~100kg 15kWh battery up there and reinforced the flooring by replacing chipboard with plywood and running a 9-inch timber under it to spread the load across multiple joists rather than relying on plastic loft legs alone.
 
Thanks.

I don't know where the inverter might be placed.

I haven't spoken to any solar installer yet.

I assume either in the attic, or else in the utility room, near the fuse board?
 
Insulation and floor, first...

(not least, because it's winter time, so try and keep the heath in, the solar panels don't start really performing, at notable levels, until Match - April).

Inverters are usually placed in the attic, though in theory, can go anywhere. If you go for a battery, it'll most likely be next to the inverter. A few people have installed them outside the house, but temperature can impact on their performance, so I woukdnt install outdoors, myself.
 
Protocol said:
I don't know what this means.
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Most modern builds will use interlinked smoke / fire alarms and will have a wire running between all detectors so that one detecting a fire will result in them all sounding the alarm. It means that a fire starting in a downstairs utility overnight will sound the alarm upstairs much sooner giving more time for escape.
 
If the inverter is going in the attic, I believe the inverters now need permanent floored access to qualify for the grant, so you may as well add the insulation and floor it. I did for mine, and it made it much easier for the installers and for me to access it if required.
 
I have a further question about attic insulation.

I got a quote and it lists:

(1) Knauf 200mm earthwool
(2) 100mm open cell spray foam insulation

I understand (1) but I didn't expect to see (2).

Is spray foam insulation normal / typical in Ireland?

I read some negative reports about it in the UK.

I welcome any comments.
 
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