alanphys

I also wanted to upload the "Impact of Small Scale Solar PV Embedded Generation (SSEG) on Tshwane’s revenue" document as well as the "Proposed Embedded Generation Policy" but the files are too large for the size limit. @PaBz0r I can send them to you directly if you want.

Below is the text of the email and attached are the required forms. NOTIFICATION FOR GRID ACCESS-EG.DOCX SSEG Tshwane Application Form Nov 2017 V4.docx Tshwane SSEG Commissioning Report with Tests Rev1 0 with CoT logo.pdf

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I've been through this exercise a couple of times, but each time I get a different answer depending on what I chuck into the mix. My average daily usage over the last year is 34.1 kWh with a winter peak of 39.4 kWh. The instantaneous load at any one time can be far in excess of this. The biggest culprit is the pool pump (1.5kW @ 8 hours a day) closely followed by the geyser (4 kW) and the wife's beloved dual thermofan oven (8 kW) and ceran hob (6.6 kW). If I add in, on Saturday for example, the electric mower (2 kW), leaf blower (1.5kW), trimmer (1.5kW) and washing machine (0.5 kW), and the wife is cooking up a storm the house is potentially drawing over 20kW. Alternatively during the week when everyone is at work and school we're probably drawing less than a tenth of that. So yes, I can install a good solar geyser and gas hob and replace the garden appliances with their petrol equivalents, but it will cost me close to R40K and I will still need some spare capacity for things like vacuum cleaner, power drill, saw etc. I can buy quite a lot of battery and panels for R40K. The comment was made elsewhere that you need to "size the load to the batteries" and I think this is true too for the entire installation. Yes, this is what I'm trying to avoid. I actually went as far as getting the requirements to connect a solar installation to the grid from City of Tshwane. Amazingly they replied. I took one look at the email and closed it again. The measly 10c/kWh they pay is simply not worth the schlep. I am not aware of any current legislation requiring compliance with these requirements. If anyone knows of anything please let me know. At the risk of getting off topic I also have in my possession a document recommending to CoT that embedded generator installations be reimbursed at a rate of 83c/kWh. Yes, I expect this legislation will go through once they have stopped knifing one another, which is why I want get this done now. Thanks, I'll check this. I've got a friend up the road who has this set up. He is running about 6kW of panels. I'll go and have a look again. Thanks, I was looking at the Pylontech US 3000. It just has to run the Fridge, Freezer and Fibre for 3-4 hours with perhaps some lights at night. Would it be adequate? The pool pump, geyser, oven, hob and outside plugs are all non-essential loads. Thanks for the advice. Sorry, this message turned out to be a bit longer than I expected.

Hi I've been lurking on this forum for about six months now and am now nerving myself up to take the plunge into solar. First off I would like to thank all the people who have contributed their installations and expertise. It has been a huge help. My objectives are: 1) To reduce my dependence on Eskom and potentially save some money. 2) Provide a backup during load shedding and other outages. From what I have read on the forum a 3kW system is a good starting point. However, I'd like to keep my options to upgrade the system open in case City of Tshwane becomes difficult, which brings me to my question: Is it better in the long term to get a larger inverter/charger such as the Victron Quattro 48/8000 now if the budget allows and add extra panels and batteries later, or put in a smaller inverter/charger now such as the Multiplus II or Quattro 48/3000 and add a second one in parallel with more panels and batteries later given that I can just about buy 3 Multiplus II 48/3000 for one Quattro 48/8000? I see from a previous thread that it can be quite difficult to parallel units if they have different serial numbers. Regards