David Hird

Gents at Eskom you take the applicable line over from control center you then test the HV or LV line using an approved tester then you apply eqiupotential earthing at the work place.

Hi,I have a 5kw Sun Synk inverter and 3,6 kw panels facing east and 3,6 kw facing north. From Nov-Feb I get >1000 Kwh/month.3,4,8,910th months 700Kwh-1000kwh. 5,6and 7th 500kwh-700kwh .I use 550-650kwh /month.My perception is that you are going to waste a lot of money .I agree with 2 batteries

The above meter has a battery which ensures the set time of the meter is not affected by load shedding,this battery fails due to the frequency of load shedding .I experience this last year and my account did not look very good.Guys I suggest that you check your meter set time on a monthly basis.I live in Port Elizabeth ,I was not the only person who experienced the problem.

Have you checked if you are not using munic/Eskom to top up?If so,how many kwh/month during the winter months

Hi Tim,PE has changed their tariff structure as well .It is now +- in line with Cape Town. I was on a 3 kw inverter with 4.8kw panels and had to up grade to 5kw and 7.2 kw of panels due to winter accounts been a nightmare.I suggest you leave gridtie out of the equation. Solar in the day vattery at night.

Morning Kory,been an ex Eskom official. I would source a 2nd hand Kwh meter and install it in series with the pay as you go meter to ensure that your munic meter is working correctly. This way you can compare the kwh readings.We had quite a few defective meters which had to be replaced

Perfect thks I intend purchasing a 2nd battery to used on peak periods

If the earth resistivity is high you will still have a problem

It is ticked

Yes,I am aware of that,I don't think that the power problems will be corrected in the next 5 -10 years so we ae safe for the time been

Selling excess power is not an option at this stage in Port Elizabeth.8 months of the year I only pay admin fees of 160.00 in the winter months 2 x R1000.00 and 2 xR500.00 accounts .I have a solar geyer and gas hob

Good morning,yes a very tender subject.I originally had,a 3kw grid tie inverter with 16 x310w panels .It worked very well, for 10 months of the year I had an account of R84.00 /month which was the admin fee.Port Elizabeth decided that they were losing money and changed the tariff which resulted in me having to upgrade to 7.2 kw panels and a 5kw inverter .Saving in winter R900.00,saving in summer R1850.00/month I am only using my battery for load shedding at this stage.

I am allowed to export on to the munic system and I receive credits thks so far

The connection to the general mass of earth in the most important aspect.You can install the best surge protection on the market but if you have a high resistance earth you will come 2nd best

Get your installer/electrician to measure the resistance of the earth spike if I was you, I would start off there you can also increase the numbr of earth spikes DC and AC surge protection is a must.Ensure all earth connection points are corrosion free.