d3nominat0r

Very very neat, compared to my current mess. This is more or less where I want to end up. Where did you buy the DB Board and rest of the kit?

Do you need to be in trade to register for an account with EM? Keen to buy multiple items from them.

Would you mind sharing a photo of your final result? Trying out figure out which surface mount DB to get, big enough to cover my current cavity. Need something that is more or less 55cm (H) x 35cm (W).

Any luck finding out the make of the DB board? Also looking at doing the same thing.

Hi there, I'm at the point of rewiring my DB board, 3-phase coming in, splitting it into essential loads on one phase, and spread the other loads across the other two phases. The DB board is currently a mess, I thought I might as well replace all the switches while I am busy. I'm actually not happy for the latest CBI switches as I had many new ones fail, do you guys have experience with these other makes? Chint, Hager, Scneider and Gewiss? Offcourse, I am not trying to break the bank either. Chint seems to cheap to be honest, don't trust it unless I am wrong. Should I perhaps consider putting a new surface mount DB box over my old panel cavity? Thanks

Valid points, is there a way to calculate the potential loss by mounting at 20 degrees? I can then perhaps oversize the array by a panel or two to compensate for the loss.

Where would be best to start looking for a Johannesburg installer?

I was thinking of actually building a support square tubing frame along the side and back walls with a support in the middle resting on the tile roof, therefor not messing with the existing tile roof but resting on the bring walls running along the sides and back. I can raise the frame with 80cm at the back by the necessary amount to obtain the 26 degree angle. This frame can then easily accommodate the amount of panel required. I can then do 5 per row, 2 rows to get me to the 10 panels. I also have similar equal roof areas facing east and west as well. 😉

Thanks, it these "hidden" costs that all add up at the end. I will be installing on a 40m^2 area on my north facing double garage tiled mono pitched roof which has an pitch of 18.5 degrees. What would be your suggestions to install on this roof? I will need to improve the angle.

Thanks, just a question on this. I a reading it right is saying it costs R 1333 on average per panel for fitment, brackets and wiring. Thus, a panel costs around R 2000 plus R 1333 for frames, fitment and wiring???? Does not sound right for me.

Duplicate post

@The Terrible Triplett Based on your two posts, I think it clearly aligns with my expectations. I would just swap out the J200RE Batteries for either a FreedomWon or Pylontech Lithuim solution at the same price point. Is the SmartSolar preferred above the BlueSolar? What additional sundries should be budgeted for? Panel mounts/brackets, wiring, fuses, breakers, trunking, etc? I know this is dependent on meters to be run, but we can work on averages for the point of the exercise. Thanks

@The Terrible Triplett Just for my sanity sizing the battery backup, currently my power usage is running at a constant 0.5KW between 7pm and 5am which I am rather proud of. (This to be considered my essential loads, lots of LED lights, alarm, electric fence, tv, decoder, broadband, fridge). This would mean (not taking losses into account) on FreedomWon Home 5/4 Lithium battery running at 70% DoD (3.5 KWH) I should be able to run for (3.5 / 0.5) for 7 hours or 9 hours @ 90% DoD (4.5 KWH). Is this right? What other real-world losses am I missing out on? Inverter Loss, Cable Impedance??

Thanks, I was lean towards this. So effectively the generator replaces Eskom in this regard and is part of the Grid-Tie side. This would only be needed if the load-shedding time exceeds the system design backup, which then would allow me to run off the generator and charge the batteries again. Once charged I can switch the generator off again.

Thanks, this makes sense. What would good practise be to include my existing generator? Do I keep the generator/Eskom switch and still use the Inverter to smooth the generation or is there a better way to do this?

Hmm, not immediately, but I seem that it gives me an option at least to double or triple up if needed. Just need to split my loads accordingly in future if needed unless the regulations change.

Thanks, will this require me to replace the inverter or add an additional one if I decide to add more panels and/or batteries?

I have a 3-phase installation at 60A per phase, albeit currently essential loads are on one phase and non-essential loads on the others. Does this have any impact on the above point? Edit: Based on TTT post, am I allowed 10KVA generation capability?

Does this apply to the batteries as well, or can I still do 2 x Pylon US3000B 3.5kWh? I stay in Ekurhuleni and they have not yet regulated this yet as far as I know but will probably follow suite. If you had 150k to spend today, how would you spend it on Solar/Batteries if you had a standard Eskom feed and nothing else but looking at: Covering a 3 hour Load-shedding window Save on electricity cost to payback the cost P.S. I have a generator, so I can always run it when the batteries get low and charge them if needed. This will allow me to store the unused generated power, and allow the generator to rest

@The Terrible Triplett Thanks for the feedback. Got 150k to spend and trying to figure out what is the best option to go for. My thinking at this stage based on the info on this thread is as follows: Run as much as possible directly off solar during the day Split my DB board into essential (to be run off battery backup during load-shedding) and non-essential loads. In future be able to size battery backup to be larger to go off-grid entirely. (need to future proof for this). Currently thinking of getting a FreedomWon Home4/5 unit initially but seems the Pylontechs might be better for expansion. I am thinking of a 5KVA Multiplus Inverter with matching panels (12 x 350W Panels, 6 strings of 2 panels) with a Victron 250/100 MPPT. Your thoughts?

@The Terrible Triplett, great thread. Just checking in again whether there is a definitive shopping list? Can you also explain how ESS works on the Multiplus? Do you know how well it compares against the Goodwe Hybrid Inverter and it's grid-tie backfeed limiting? Also, if I prefer a Lithium-Ion solution, perhaps a FreedomWon Home 4/5 or Polytech or BYD Units, which would you recommend and in what configuration

Good spot, thanks. Still on the look for a good option.

hi, does anyone have experience with these guys http://www.enviruheat.co.za/solar-geyser-systems

@Antony, any feedback yet?

Same here, any feedback yet?