How Big Should Your Solar System Be? With Oli from Zinc Electrical

Show notes

In this episode of Only Panels , Michael and Dan are joined by Oli from Zinc Electrical to unpack one of the biggest questions in solar: how do you size a solar PV system properly? We kick things off with highlights from Elex Coventry — including the Safe Isolate stand and plenty of installer chatter — before diving into real-world solar design.

Topics we cover: Should you design a solar system based on household consumption , maximise roof space , or stick to a set budget ? The “ 120% rule ” explained – why oversizing panels or inverters can actually improve performance.

Inverter sizing myths : why a smaller inverter can sometimes generate more power over the year.

Battery storage challenges – charge/discharge rates, hybrid inverters, and when to add batteries later.

Real-life analogies to make sense of kWp, kWh, and inverter ratings (think: car top speed vs speed limit 🚗⚡).

How to fut