KAPLF

To clarify I would then need to increase my battery capacity. So currently 15 kw/h adding an extra 10 kw/h. As stated SOD is set to 50%. So we would have to increase to 80% to maximise the available battery backup for extended days outage. We cannot add more panels are there is no more available roof space. Can another brand of battery be used in conjunction with the Solis batteries or is it best practice to stay with one brand. It will be interesting to see how my current system performs as we go into winter.

We started with 7000l capacity and now have increased to 16000l. I run a 0.75kw pump. So far so good. Our scarcest resources going forward will be water and a reliable power supply.

My intention is too see how well I can cope over the next 12 months with my current setup. If need be I can always have more batteries installed to offset for those days where the battery banks are not getting a full charge. It is a great feeling knowing that when the power goes out again you don't have the stress and inconvenience of not having power. We are also water secure which was the first part of my long term vision being to being self-sufficient. With solar I don't have to worry any further about drawing buckets of water from the preverbial JoJo well.

A new user here I have just had my system switched on for a few days. The only power we have drawn from the grid is the small amount that trickles to the inverter 8kw Solis inverter 3 x solis 5kw batteries 12 x 550w panels. I have a solar geyser and gas hob which helps a lot with limiting our usage The installer set of DOD @50%. So far the lowest we have dropped battery backup at night was around 67%. The average has been in the 70s My question is what will our solar generation output drop dramatically in the winter months in the eastern cape. Based on current output would we still make it on battery backup I am also on the fence regarding registration with the council. My ideal scenario would be to have the system disconnected and only run our own power produced. I don't want to end up paying a massive fee monthly just to tied to the grid when I am not using the grid. The plan was to run for 12 months and see if we could survive on the current setup without being grid tied before having our supply disconnected. but with Eskom and municipalities threatening fines there is a lot of confusion as a new solar user as what is the best course of action. Register with the council before end of March and take the plunge and disconnect from the grid or stay on the grid and pay the grid connection fee. Advice would be appreciated in this matter