Rory Kilpatrick

SolisS6 6Kw 10X55O pv 3XF1 E-Tower batteries. Off-grid since install day.April 20th Looking to connect 5kva generator Will set inverter to max 3500 watt draw.I will run gennie when I am home in the evening so I know only to have lights on in the event of low SOC for the next day if forecast looks bad .My worst SOC to date at sunrise is 38% reaching 100% next day by noon if sun shines.In rainy condition gets to 70% max at sunset but use about 30% overnight so after 2/3 days I will be very unpopular at home. Should I install the ct coil that came with the inverter? I want to connect via generator input.Do I need changeover switch? Can I use my 15 amp plugtop or something else.Would only run gennie for 2/3 hours to top up to 50/60% Would appreciate advice so that sparky and I are on the same page. Thanks

Forgot to mention that Eskom was switched off on day of commission and still off

Been up and running since 20/04. Am very happy . Done a bit of experimental stuff to see how it all works . Crappy inclement cloudy rainy weather since switch on but still not dropped below 39% at sunrise .Had battery powered roast chicken previous evening. Installer was not very excited about doing his first Solis install but he seems suitably impressed now. Pv peaks 10h30 till 14h00 at 75/80% with the odd 5200 watt spike which I assume is cloud related .Getting first pv about 15 minutes [100 watt]after weatherman says sunrise and ends 30 minutes before sunset. Generator not connected yet.All I can say is Thank goodness for this site . The options and independent opinions are invaluable . Two of my mates took only local mates advice and now that winter is upon us are not very happy. Question. How bad will east/west exactly , pv performance get %wise at latitude 33' with panels at 30' June 16th Question 2. What medication is available to stop me logging on to my app every ten minutes

After many quotes have decided on solis s6 6kw inverter,10 trina 550w panels [5 nne 5nnw per mppt] and 3 f1 e-tower 5kw batteries .Plan is still to go off grid completely .During good weather where should I set my d.o.d As per eskom meter I use about 4/5 kw per night .My thoughts are at about 60% and then can maybe change to 90% during inclement times . Will that help with cycle life ? I will have my generator to assist. I think that I can set inverter to pull about 4000watt , idle the house down to 500watts which my 5.5 gennie should handle easily . Installer will set hz accordingly .I will keep eskom for a month or so via changeover switch just in case . One disapointment is roof angle of 26 deg as opposed to ideal 33 deg for my latitude . Will monitor through winter and maybe build adjustable structure.. Thanks Guys

So I risked life and limb on my roof and with a tape measure established that I can fit 6ne and 6nw not 4/4 as I thumbsucked before. That will remove the need to build a structure which would affect my budget for xtra pv. Voltex are doing pretty good rates (IMO) on SOLIS S6 6kw and HUBBLE 5kw battery. Mid to late last year theree was a lot of folks complaining about HUBBLE voltage. Is that issue resolved ?There seems to be a little bit of negativity around SUNSYNK service on the forum at the moment.I also have to work within a budget.So I am close to going with 3X5 battery and the 12 panels 6/6 and the SOLIS.. Should I find a way to alter panel pitch from 26* to 33* which is my latitude keeping mid winter in mind.Does anyone have a 'checklist'of things to check with installer .As a total novice I could easily be conned wrt fuses,earth ,breakers, cable size etc. I would much rather be over safe. Appreciate very much all contributions to date. Forum is FANTASTIC for the ignorant .

PLEASE bear with me. Early morning sun hits NE array at 07h00 fully. NW is out of shadow at 11h00 and getting minimal angle sunlight . For those 4 hours I will get whatever power is available from NE without having NW throttling the system .From reading other posts here this is what I understand . Times are hypothetical .

I spoke to my guy today . He says that combining ne and nw onto MPPT 1 will result in ne dragging nw output down in the afternoon and the opposite in the morning . He also wants to go with 460w panels to stay within amperage safety range. He is gonna do quote options on 3X5 S/S or Hubble AM2 Got my wife trying to find out more about pre-paid

I rely totally on rain water harvesting so have too look after volumes. I have 150l XTREME geyser with a solar collector . It is a long run from geyser to bathroom .I installed the gas geyser right outside bathroom with a solar to gas valve (R1 000.00 Dewhot) which has temperature setting screw.I fiddled around with temps and found our optimum shower temperature .If geyser temperature is around 25 degrees ,hot water tap is set full on and then adjusted according to incoming temperature . If incoming water is below that temperature gas stays on. I shower early morning and evening ,wife during the day .Showers are quick for water saving reasons . Once I have my solar install done it will assist on inclement solar pv days I AM STILL ON THE ORIGINAL 9KG GAS BOTTLE FROM LATE AUGUST INSTALLATION. I save about 5 litres of water per shower as all the water in the pipes that has cooled down is now instantly useable .

Oops forgot. 4 panel ne and 4 nw on 1 mppt, Max panels north on mppt2 ?

Just wanna say THANKS. The fact that you and others on this forum are prepared to share knowledge and advice is fantastic. Pretty sure that you guys have saved a lot of anguish and frustration for many many un-informed folks. What are pro's and con's of 3X5kw battery vs 1X15kw please For me it's all or nothing. Again Many Thanks

Hi All, Looking at going off-grid.Use about 250 kw/h per month. Heavy day is 10 vs 5 on a low day(24 hrs). Thoughts are 5kw S/S Inverter and 15kw S/S battery. Sunsynk is the product most of my friends have. Clearly powerdraw would have to be managed. 90% of food prep and cooking happens before sunset.Gas and solar hot water into electric geyser with timer on mains I am hoping for genuine independent advise from all of you sages so that I can make informed decisions when calling for quotes in East London. Direct Eskom customer paying R40.00/day for the privilege and R4.50 /unit..With 12% increase each year would be in for ABOUT 200k after 5 years. Financially keeping Eskom is therefor not an option if wanting to go solar. Would obviously watch weather forecasts and live accordingly. Two of us over 60 and able to adapt. Would like to be able to connect 5kva genset to trickle charge while consumption is low in the event of cloud. I have roof space as follows with no shade issues. Would like to run existing 2200 watt underfloor heating mid-winter whilst sun shines . Slow warmth release during the evening. ROOF SPACE.NO SHADE ISSUES ALL DAY 4 panels n/w 26 degree pitch tiles. Mid-winter sunset is direct onto this roof. 4 panels n/e 26 degree tiles 4/6 panels north on a carport to be built with adjustable tilt for winter/summer. 1. Could I do North on MPPT1 and the balance on MPPT2 2. What size panels do I go for 3.Anybody willing to guess what annual increase would be for the next few years 4. I have read on this forum that genset connection is possible as long as Hertz is correct. 5.Would anyone have a guess as to cost of this scenario.PV array about 15 meter away from DB. 6.Any suggestions welcome. Bear in mind capex is from retirement funds. I am very excited to get any reply