LivSol

Despite being frustrated daily by the lack of support for renewable energy and the lack of organisation and continuity in SA, I am positive about the future. The "better" municipalities will get it figured out eventually. I think they are just as confused as to how to manage this, so as an example they are now currently looking to TUV certification as a step toward organising/protecting themselves, and the grid tie, hybrid and off grid story, will all fall into place with time. We have the knowledge and ability, just look at this forum, so many clued up educated people, who are all assets to the industry. While we all know there are a lot of overnight players just looking to cash in on the trend with little expertise or accountibilty, there are also many long term players/thinkers and there is a large amount of influence we ALL will have on correcting and growing the RE culture in SA. End user education and best practice implementation is an uphill battle everyday, but slowly bit by bit, we will get there, both in the battery based market and GT space as well. One day TTT will be able to sell his energy back. Positive thinking.

There is zero chance of Microcare becoming non compliant. They are widely used and would leave thousands of customers in the same boat. Second, they are not subject to same rules as has been pointed out , the don’t feedback into the grid. Also there is a local contact push in SA which Microcare are. There is no risk in installing a Microcare unit whatsoever.

Yes, they can be grid interactive, as their is a AC battery charger build in for grid or genet which it can relay too and from, same is true for Mlt Oasis and Powerstar, and of course Victron Multi and Quattro.

I assume the DC COC is in line with NRS?

Ah, ok. Thanks TTT for clarifying. So then to answer @seant, no need to be listed on a Grid tied list! As is a UPS i.e. Off Grid inverter. This was always my understanding, but thought perhaps something had changed. Seems not.

Sorry - First post was not clear. Who is "WE" you refer to? Microcare , Mlt, other? What about hybrid? Not Grid tied, and not strictly UPS. How is that dealt with in terms this new requirement to register?

Who is "WE" you refer to? Microcare , Mlt, other? What about hybrid? No GT, not strictly UPS.

I think there is a little bit of the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing, when it comes to the Muncipality. Mlt were approved, then fell off?! What happened to proudly South African and supporting our local content, jobs and all that. Of course assuming the respective manufacturer is actually making quality components, some are and some are not. Mlt defiantly are!

Any clue as to why Microcare are not listed and MLT used to be listed and are not anymore?

If you need a spare, maybe you should look into a better inverter? Oh boy - I'm gonna get it now.

My 2c - Most panels seem to be "more or less" the same per their sticker and usual losses. However, if the panel fails/delaminates or something else, will Art solar still be in business for warranty replacements?

Microcare 5kw 48v inverters with build in 50amp battery chargers. Have 3 available, redundant after system overhaul. Still under warranty, and all are latest spec. 100% perfect working condition, cosmetically same as new. R13,500 each onco

Jinko closed down manafacturing in CT. I can assist in getting you Canadian, JA, or Jinko. Just PM me.

Check out this link Shaun. If space is an issue, there are new high density panels that address this, and also bifacial panels. I believe bifacial are intended mostly for ground mount array's. http://livingsolar.co.za/pv-panels-are-they-all-the-same/

Since this will be a easily viewable thread I would like to add to it on the battery side of things. So much has been said already, but ill sort of reiterate what has already been said, since this should serve as a cautionary tale to newbie's. All three of the ESS fundamentals have been ignored here, and this is has caused the resultant failure. I personally bought 8 of these batteries a couple of years ago to test them and see if they would work in a battery based inverter system off grid. They failed miserably. They should NOT be market for solar. They are a backup battery cycled very occasionally at best. 1. Way to many parallel strings for a daily cycling battery system. Should always try to stick to 1 bank, 2 at a compromise if you cannot find a large enough battery, and then bus bars, balances etc. This applies only to flooded lead acid. Never use AGM or Gel batteries in parallel for a daily cycling off grid system. It is asking for trouble and very bad ROI. Lithium units with BMS's can be parelled without any issue. Which most of you know. But I am speaking to those who dont ;-) 2. Wrong batteries. Pseudo deep cycle, not suitable AT ALL for daily cycling or in a solar application with limited charge time. 3. Improper charging. 57.6v (per OP) is far to low of a voltage to charge those batteries in a limited time (i.e. Solar), especially in winter with lower temps. I had a hard time getting those batteries anywhere near SG spec even at their rated max of 14.8v each i.e. 59.2v for a 48 volt bank. This is all personal experience. I am sorry for the OP, I really hate negative stories, they dont help the industry at all. Lets hope that this thread saves someone else from this fate. N.B - You all provide such on point and helpful info on this forum. Really a great resource for the DIY'er or those lost in red tape. @Ronnie_V consider one string of Trojan Battery's Premium 2v cells for your next bank. 1120ah. Best bankable ROI for that size battery bank currently.

Just to add to this list Chris. The Mlt Oasis inverters and Nomad Mppt are also now Pylon Tech compatible.

An Axpert will not charge a FLA battery. They are only usable on AGM and approved Lithium batts such as Plyon Tech. The very latest version is supposedly able to charge up to 64 volts, but have not tested this personally. Setting a voltage per the spec sheet and calling it a day it NOT how to achieve optimum daily battery charging. To set the correct voltage for your battery in your system at your location is done using a Hydrometer, and the SG is read at the end of the of the day when the battery is in float. The SG will tell you if the battery is being charge to spec or not, you then adjust your charge voltage from there. @George Major I have messaged you directly, and will assist you form there.

Here is another dubious declaration made by a Solar installer and supplier. This was sent to me by a client. This was part of a FB post. And quote. "PV Green Card status offers the consumer peace of mind that their installation complies with current SANS regulations. Not using a registered, licenced contractor to do your installation can void your insurance and may also prevent you from getting occupancy from the municipality." As far as I am aware, any installation that has been issued a COC is legal and insurable? Unless I am misinformed, these guys are misleading people to get business!

This install is plastered all over FB. This guy is very proud of this. I always say that installing a solar system is one things and requires a skilled and experienced workman. A skill set in its own right. Designing the system is another story all together, which requires a different skill set, understanding and expertise. Kind of like the engineer who develops and designs a car, and the people who manufacture it. While each is important, one does not automtically mean you can do the other competently!

Does anyone have any experience with this company or their battery?

I did not touch a thing and won’t. I went as a favor to troubleshoot. I even went so far as to insist the owner did not mention my name or company. I don’t want to be harassed by bullies that are outed for bad work. This company/guy seem quite aggressive. Somehow in thier mind, if you do the wrong thing enough, it magically becomes the right thing. The problem is most who they sell to don’t understand why their system does not work well, and just assume that the way solar is. Very unethical..But motivates me to be more involved in the industry and try right the ship.

Having yet again today been witness to incompetent Installer’s, got me wondering if we should not have a name and shame thread here. While I don't want to encourage negativity. I do feel the need to warn people about unscrupulous or just incompetent companies and individuals who are just in it for a quick buck. There is plenty info available about how to install solar safely and correctly,, including sizing systems etc. But they don’t put in the time to educate themselves. I went to vet an install done recently as a favor with an Axpert inverter and a Lithuin battery. They had left half the panels disconnected (only 2 of the 4 sets are connected) and there was ZERO fusing, breakers, surge arrestor or any protection of any kind anywhere. There were actually breakers on each PV string and battery shut off there before with the old system, but in thier wisdom, they removed it all?!? I was called to assist, as the owner was going dark at 11pm. Never mind that the battery they installed is too small for the load, the owner contacted them and AFTER their monitoring the system remotely, thier solution was to put in a bigger battery and the owner pay yet more money (already paid way to much for what was installed), but they never picked up that they left half the panels disconnected, which is the source of the issue, as they started each night with half charged battery due to running pumps etc. Still, a larger battery is needed to get all the way through the night, but to have missed that half the PV was not connected...? Incompetent much? Thier website claims they are off grid experts. Me thinks not!

Agreed. There is no issue here. What would be a better test, is to check voltages between batts before bed, and again in the morning before sun is on the panels. This will show you how they are discharging. AGM has very low IR so they can go out of wack far quicker than FLA. But does not sound like you have anything to worry about here. The float deviation you mention is no issue at all. Hope that helps. Livsol.

It is a sad fact, but being nice gets no results, it often takes a bit of firm hand to get people to act with integrity and ethics. I am glad that is was taken care off.

I am chiming in a bit late here. Warranty starts when you receive. I think one of the challenges here is going to be the importer. Lesson here is buy known brands and always look at the warranty they offer. It will tell you a lot about the quality of the battery. Nervermind claims regarding cycle life etc. More often than not they are very inflated. Hope you get this sorted without to much trouble.