Eugenevz

So my setup is very simplistic, basically a glorified ups. I can run most essentials (tv, lights, wifi, fridge) from it. My issue is that i'm moving soon to a bigger place with a pool and borehole. And only now discovered that the 3kva inverter cannot handle the borehole pump start up spike, i realize there are ways around this, ie replacing the pump with a more efficient/solar pump, but those things would not have been needed if i thought my purchase through a bit better

So first off i realise all these decisions are dictated by budget, so this will depend on your budget. But personally i would go for the bigger setup, my reasoning for this is that i decided to go with a 3kva trolley setup with 2.56kw hubble batteries, for financial reasons as well as because i currently live in a apartment. But after using it for a while now (and it does work great), the more and more i realise i would have preferred a bigger option that i could upgrade in the future. Combine that with that the current trend of loadshedding becoming just slightly worse each year, planning your system around future loadshedding stages is in my mind the most prudent coarse of action. And might actually save you money in the end.

So not even remotely an expert, but i can only provide you with the information i have gathered so far in my research. So with the low cost option you have two issues, in my mind at least, the first is that the battery is a second life battery, which is not a major issue, but it will mean that you will need to replace the battery a lot sooner than with a first life battery. Second issue is with the off-grid inverter, not an issue for most, but coming from a owner of a off-grid trolley setup, the issue is that it limits your options to essentially a "surviving loadshedding" setup only, there won't be much room to expand it much further. Medium option is a solid option. High cost option, not really that high cost as the price difference is only a few thousand. This option as well as the medium option will provide you with future options to possibly expand with solar panels and such, when the option opens up for you (a number of complexes are warming up to the idea of solar panels) Keep in mind (speaking of my trolley here) that you do not want future regrets because you went cheap and now cannot expand and have to buy an entirely new setup. Better to build in some future proofing, you never know what happens, you may move house in a few years time.

Yes, it could be as you say. Although what is strange is that the total financed amount would be even higher. Anyway, you mentioned other reputable installers, anyone you can suggest (JHB area)? Preferably someone that has a website or will understand that i'm still in determining what the budget should be and how much saving needs to occur (might only be 12 months from now) before i can go ahead with this?

Thanks, yes i've been looking at this site as well. They provide me with a good idea of what the parts should cost, but coming from a perspective of not knowing what is required for the installation (brackets/wiring and such) and what is a decent price for the labour alone.

Hi All, I've been doing price comparisons and research for a while now on solar setups and some recommend solar advice (solar.co.za), now they have this handy tool to calculate the total cost and such, but i seem to be missing something regarding the quotes. Using this tool i get a quote for a 1 x 8kva inverter, 12 x 455 watt panels, 1 x dyness 5kwh battery and installation totaling R170531, but when looking at their individual items pricing + the installation cost, i get a amount of R145700? A bit confused about this? Is installation cost quoted on labour alone and all the sundries are calculated in combination with the items?