Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:10:59 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17622&Focus=298445#Comment_298445 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17622&Focus=298445#Comment_298445 Fri, 28 Oct 2022 13:31:22 +0100 philedge
Heres how I see the reverse seems a more likely scenario.

Panels are the same
Panel mounting rails and clamps are the same
Commercial farms need structural support frames and likely concrete foundations. Domestic install uses existing roof
Commercial farms need service roads. Domestic install uses existing driveway
Commercial farms need new electrical infrastructure for grid connection. Domestic install uses existing grid connection
Commercial farms use bigger inverters with more panels connected per inverter. Domestic install uses fewer panels per inverter.

It seems to me that the only time a domestic system may have more embodied carbon is in the lower panel to inverter ratio. In all other aspects the commercial farm has the same or significantly more embodied carbon than a domestic system.

Am I missing something?.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17622&Focus=298446#Comment_298446 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17622&Focus=298446#Comment_298446 Fri, 28 Oct 2022 14:00:52 +0100 jamesingram https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17622&Focus=298448#Comment_298448 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17622&Focus=298448#Comment_298448 Fri, 28 Oct 2022 16:30:59 +0100 djh
But I don't remember the claim from before. Maybe you could find it, or maybe the OP will chime in?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17622&Focus=298450#Comment_298450 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17622&Focus=298450#Comment_298450 Fri, 28 Oct 2022 19:44:11 +0100 TimSmall
Domestic PV has more inverters per kW capacity (as already noted) as well probably more cabling, and nowadays smaller panel sizes - so more connectors and aluminium frames per kW capacity - all of those would have more embodied carbon.

If you were doing your analysis based on embodied carbon per kWh generated, then I'd guess commercial installations are probably going to be sited more optimally and with better maintenance, and lower panel temperatures, so they may get a better yield than a domestic install with shadowing and one string that dropped 50% of its output 3 years ago without anyone noticing.

Many commercial installs use bifacial panels and some use trackers both of which probably decrease embodied energy per kWh generated.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17622&Focus=298455#Comment_298455 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17622&Focus=298455#Comment_298455 Sat, 29 Oct 2022 12:00:38 +0100 philedge
On a commercial farm youd likely be able to final fix 4kw of panels way quicker.....but. At the solar farm a few miles from us there was a a full site establishment for months which would have been 100s if not 1000s of work journeys. There were excavators and dumpers putting in service tracks. Stone to be quarried and transported. Ground workers and excavators putting concrete foundations. Steel erectors building support frames. Dozens of small substations built and cabled. Probably several miles of perimeter fence to be installed. None of the above is required with a typical domestic install.

Im fairly sure the panels used on commercial installs are same as fitted domestically, currently around 350-400w. Thats what a commercial installer I know is putting in and thats the size range people seem to talk about for domestic jobs??]]>