Pieter Lourens

Solis inverters are underrated in South Africa. Whatever our neighbours buy we think is the best, hence other brands flourish here. In Australia Solis is the most sought-after inverter. I had a Solis grid-tie inverter and sold that to a friend and years later are happy with that. I replaced that with a Solis hybrid 5G inverter and works perfectly.
The transformerless design helps with longitivity and the many added safety features gives peace of mind. Check the specs, this S6 solves all the markets needs.

Solis inverters are underrated in South Africa. Whatever our neighbours buy we think is the best, hence other brands flourish here. In Australia Solis is the most sought-after inverter. I had a Solis grid-tie inverter and sold that to a friend and years later are happy with that. I replaced that with a Solis hybrid 5G inverter and works perfectly.
The transformerless design helps with longitivity and the many added safety features gives peace of mind. Check the specs, this S6 solves all the markets needs.

Although using 2 x grid tieds I still rate them highly. They did offer great operation on the RHI older model but then came the Sunsynk. 
From my experience one can see some brains were behind the older models. 
I trust mine so much my 2nd one is mounted above the ceiling. No need to see it or press any button. It just does what it should do. 

This 6kw Solis is ticking all the boxes for me. I feel any 5kw is going to be just a tad too small. Is the Solis compatible with solar assistant? I don't see it on their list?

I cannot agree with you more about Solis. My grid tied has been performing fantastic for over 4yrs without missing a single cycle. 
I am sure if more people were exposed to Solis they will know what you mean. They just keep on going as designed. 

Hello @YellowTapemeasure Yes there is a dedicated RS485 Port in the inverter that will support Modbus data communication in the current firmware version the port is inactive however Solis has confirmed that this will be activated in a later firmware version that will allow for home assistant solar assistant google home etc. They are still in the testing phases on that as far as I know however I will ask Solis to give us more information on that topic. 

Hi @LumexClipsal
Yes the CT clamp remains as before. Just moved the power source for the meter.

@LumexClipsal,
Following from our earlier conversation.
I rewired my Arcel meter to be powered from the essential load of my inverter instead; and all seems well.
I will let you know should there be any misreading. However, after 5 days I believe all is good 

Hi @LumexClipsal,
"Should Probably" because my personal logic says that if the Arcel meter is constantly powered it will not get a misreading. The specification, however, indicates Eskom as the power source.
I noticed that when Eskom goes off that I have a misreading but as soon as Eskom is back on, the reading is auto corrected. I believe the firmware upgrade helps with this correction.
At some stage I may decide to switch the meters power but that is not a priority now.
If you make changes, please let me know how that goes.

Pieter this is what I have and I worked it out this way and it was interesting at the time to see this video long after I came up with the combination. 
Also before the video I visited a school friend and what a surprise to see his installer installed the same 2 Inverters. 
Even if I had a bigger true hybrid I will keep my Solis connected. It just does what it must do in silence. 
It stays a good way of scaling from 1 system to the next. 

This is all about a Solis grid tied only that shuts down when the grid is down. I think the question is about the Solis RHI pure hybrid as Pieter has already given details. 

All grid-tied installations, irrespective of the size, have to follow the process outlined by City Power for the Johannesburg metropolitan.
PV system installation in Johannesburg
All City of Johannesburg customers planning for PV system installation should follow the permit application process prior to installation and commissioning of the PV system. It is mandatory for customers with PV systems already installed to follow the same process and register/regularize their installations with the system and connection requirements of City Power.
We advise that all our installers familiarize themselves with the permit application process and hope that the following few point can assist in ensuring responsible supply of world class tier 1 PV equipment.
Applicable standards and guidelines
The technical requirements for Small Scale Embedded Generation are covered in the following standards and guidelines. All installers preparing for an application should ensure compliance with the SSEG standards and guideline indicated below, among other recognized standards:
1. City of Johannesburg By Laws for Electrical Connections
2. SANS 10142
3. SANS 959
4. South African Renewable Power Plant Grid Code.
5. NRS 097-2-1 Grid interconnection Generation (Utility interface)
6. NRS 097-2-3 Grid connection of Embedded Generation (Simplified utility connection     criteria for low-voltage connected generators).
7. IEC 62116 Test procedure of islanding prevention measures for utility-interconnected     photovoltaic inverters.
8. IEC 62109-2 Safety of power converters for use in PV power systems –
Part 1: General requirements.
9. IEC 62053-22 Electricity Metering Equipment
10. IEC 60364 – 1 Low Voltage Electricity Installation
A site survey is very important as many installations are done at sites were pre-paid meters are currently installed. No system will be allowed to be connected to a pre-paid meter even if the system will have zero exporting.
The only meter that is currently re-programmable for bi-directional application is Itron. All other meters will need to be replaced. Provided all embedded generated power is legally connected by following the permit application, City Power welcomes grid feeding of all Renewable energy sources.
Acceptance of the plant
Once all commissioning tests have been completed and the installer has issued the relevant COC for the installation, it will be the responsibility of the Installer to notify City Power of the status and request an official commissioning date. City Power will provide a date for their Engineer to visit the site together with the registered PR engineer and the commissioning documents will be signed off simultaneously by both parties at the site.
Embedded Generation Tariff.pdf
COJ Tariff - TOU.pdf

Thanks Pieter. Funny enough the one TV does not dip as much. But again it only a semi smart TV. But I have overcome this with a very old UPS. 

I vaguely remember studies that scaling actually increased the efficiency of a heating element due to the larger surface area. 
Up to a point and not applicable to boilers etc.

Hi @AndrewO
I have two geysers using the same PTC elements, but without the the MPPT tracker. Please note that GeyserWise components are advertised with contradicting specifications. I found that you can push the voltage above 72V, in the region of 90V if I remember correctly. As such you should be able to put all three panels in series as advised by this forum. However, ask GeyserWise themselves and they will advise.

Thanks everyone for the advice.
I finally installed the following by EnergyPivot from George;
6 * Canadian Solar 460W, Victron SmartSolar MPPT 250/60, Victron MultiPlus-II 48/5000/70-50, Freedom Won E-5000 Modular LiFePO4 battery, Victron Cerbo GX & Touch GX with long range WiFi.
Great people to work with, quite neat installation and very prompt service.

 
 

Hi @KLEVA
I use the PTC element because it can use both AC and DC power.
The DC powered by 2x solar panels ensures that in the day I do not have to top-up because of heat losses. My AC power applied to the geyser is purely to supply for consumption. Furthermore, the element seems much more durable.

Pieter it is great to have some that can try some tests around this interesting debate rather than arguing about it.
I am sure those electrical minded members would feel the heat generated is a function of the power used. It would normally not matter if it is a white hot filament bulb, a roll of wire, a resistive wire. Only doing what we talking/testing about can we measure the results and learn from it.
Thanks a lot for being part of the testing.
It would be great if a plumber can sponsor a small leaking geyser removed that can be cut open and agitated with both elements fitted to test.

Unfortunately I don't have access to a 150l kwikot right now. I do have a heavily instrumented 200l class B (with agitation) and I can verify that the 4kW resistive heater is 100% efficient to within measurement certainty. (most of uncertainty comes from the loss model inaccuracies, mostly from the second order time constants).

Hi @Speedster and @Scorp007
I replaced my 3kW element in my 150l geyser with a 2kW element to bring down my peak power usage.
Recently I replaced that with a 2kW PTC element, and it feels like the geyser reaches its designated temperature sooner. This feeling may be because I want to believe I invested well 
However, there are too many variables and without facts people can argue ongoing on this topic. I noticed that in this forum there are many debates regarding the PTC element efficiency.
As such I propose that this forum's users join me in an experiment. I suggest people that partake in this experiment:
Has a 150 liter stand-alone geyser Has a 2kW element in their geyser Has the ability to measure the duration/time of continued power applied to the geyser until the designated temperature has been reached The user has the ability to accurately and timely (relatively) measure the temperature of their geyser  Should you comply with above, please partake and share your findings?
I propose the following experiment, and this forum should please advise if we need additional constraints to ensure a better outcome.
Similar geyser set-up use of a 150 liter stand-alone electric and pressure geyser (no additional features e.g. evacuated tubes or flat plates) use of a 2 kW resistive heating element (PTC or not) assume geysers are in the roof We will run the experiment at night then the roof insulation is assumed having little effect some PTC elements has a DC feed to the element as well, and this will negate such an impact The geyser may not be used at least 30 minutes prior to the experiment nor during the experiment E.g. no tap used on that geyser We will start the experiment with a geyser temperature within a given range (e.g. between 25 and 35 degrees), as close to 30 degrees as possible However, the element may not be activated/powered at least 30 minute prior to the experiment We then measure:
Confirm compliance with the constraints Confirm the date and time of the experiment Measure the outside temperature Confirm the Geyser Temperature Temperature and time of starting the experiment Temperature and time of reaching 10 degrees higher than the starting temperature (we note temperature because the measuring mechanism may have a delay and be a fraction out from 10 degrees) If I can have head's up on this, I am willing to go first and other participants can use that as a template allowing us to compare our findings?
 
Yours faithfully
Pieter

Hi @Speedster and @Scorp007
I replaced my 3kW element in my 150l geyser with a 2kW element to bring down my peak power usage.
Recently I replaced that with a 2kW PTC element, and it feels like the geyser reaches its designated temperature sooner. This feeling may be because I want to believe I invested well 
However, there are too many variables and without facts people can argue ongoing on this topic. I noticed that in this forum there are many debates regarding the PTC element efficiency.
As such I propose that this forum's users join me in an experiment. I suggest people that partake in this experiment:
Has a 150 liter stand-alone geyser Has a 2kW element in their geyser Has the ability to measure the duration/time of continued power applied to the geyser until the designated temperature has been reached The user has the ability to accurately and timely (relatively) measure the temperature of their geyser  Should you comply with above, please partake and share your findings?
I propose the following experiment, and this forum should please advise if we need additional constraints to ensure a better outcome.
Similar geyser set-up use of a 150 liter stand-alone electric and pressure geyser (no additional features e.g. evacuated tubes or flat plates) use of a 2 kW resistive heating element (PTC or not) assume geysers are in the roof We will run the experiment at night then the roof insulation is assumed having little effect some PTC elements has a DC feed to the element as well, and this will negate such an impact The geyser may not be used at least 30 minutes prior to the experiment nor during the experiment E.g. no tap used on that geyser We will start the experiment with a geyser temperature within a given range (e.g. between 25 and 35 degrees), as close to 30 degrees as possible However, the element may not be activated/powered at least 30 minute prior to the experiment We then measure:
Confirm compliance with the constraints Confirm the date and time of the experiment Measure the outside temperature Confirm the Geyser Temperature Temperature and time of starting the experiment Temperature and time of reaching 10 degrees higher than the starting temperature (we note temperature because the measuring mechanism may have a delay and be a fraction out from 10 degrees) If I can have head's up on this, I am willing to go first and other participants can use that as a template allowing us to compare our findings?
 
Yours faithfully
Pieter

I have a Geyserwise PTC element hooked up to 660W PV. I experience that heating is relatively quick to 50 degrees and very slow after 60 degrees. This 900W DC element did take the 150l tank beyond 70 degrees in the summer.
I know there are a lot of debate on efficiency of these elements. Thinking out loud I wonder if surface exposure of the elements to the water may affect this efficiency ;/

That cardboard spacer between the batteries 🤣

Yes, I shopped for best prices from about 5 different suppliers across SA. Furthermore I had no installation costs. One can easily save 20% on equipment shopping for the right product at the right time. My panels I got for less than 2K a piece, inverter for 21K, battery 21.5K. Then again I started my investment nearly 3 years ago.

@JoeyhZA,
The smart meter is the mechanism that reads the grid power and the CT clamp is linked to that meter.
As such you need both to prevent exporting to the grid. The smart meter is the expensive part.
It is important to know that although you set the export to zero, that there are scenarios that will push power back for a small period  I typically experience 1kW pushed back to the grid in a month.   That is trivial in my opinion. However, this could be an issue with select prepaid meters.