gooseberry

My neighbor has one of those, he is very happy with it, even with his extended family.

Your battery is charging at 700 Watts and your load is 1878 Watts. 
PV is supplying 2163 Watts so the difference comes from the grid. 

You can have 8 or 9 panels per string, you can oversize your array I believe. The 10400W max is the max the MPPTs are able to produce, not the max rated kWp of the array. Just don't exceed the voltage rating.

What happens when the Sunsynk pushes power back to the generator? Does it produce diesel or petrol? 🤔 I thought the generator should be on the AUX port and not treated as grid?

I'm assuming you have a PWM charger? In that case the higher voltage obtained by adding panels in series does not help, it will still only charge at the current one panel can provide. You need to connect your panels in parallel.

Thank you. The key figures are:
Max voltage of the string/s: 102V
MPPT range: 30-80V
Max power: 1000W
Any panel configuration, whether serial or parallel or a combo should never exceed 102V, because it will burn. I'm not sure if the MPPT will clip the amps, so let's assume it does not, best not to exceed 12.5 A
For new panels, follow the steps in this guide: https://unboundsolar.com/blog/string-sizing-guide
If you want to re-use your two 350W panels we will need to know what the specs are, usually supplied with them:
1. VoC at STC
2. Vmp at STC
3. NOCT operating conditions
4. Temperature coefficient of VoC
I am guessing that they are around 47.8.V VoC and 9.8A Vmp, and that they are in series, which does not give you room for adding another panel (you are already at 95.6V).    
   

Just be aware that what you're doing is illegal according to the Eskom SSEG guidelines. You'll have to register and get a new meter.

What happens when the Sunsynk pushes power back to the generator? Does it produce diesel or petrol? 🤔 I thought the generator should be on the AUX port and not treated as grid?

Also went this way but now wondering how to ensure the batteries are charged from solar, especially if you plan on running lights etc off them at night.

Thanks - looking to not shell out bucks on this problem
Is there perhaps a free software option that could accomplish something similar?
 
Thing is, I'm aiming to go with a Solis option as well. The current Axpert solution works perfectly for backup during loadshedding for essential loads. I slapped on some solar panels as an interim measure. Aim is to go grid tied with limiter and move the current panels as well as add a few more panels to the Solis in the near future.
That's a few months away though and was hoping for a quick and non-fuss solution to the problem. Well, a better solution that the manual flipping of breaker I currently adopt now

You can oversize your array (up to a certain point*) but the max the MPPT can push is 100A and the battery float voltage is about 53V so it can only supply 5300W. 12x450W panels are already 5400W. 16 panels are 7200W which is maybe a bit over-specced unless they are not optimally placed?
*The max PV short circuit current for the 250/100 MPPT is 70A. I'm estimating an Isc of about 11A per string so you could do up to 6 strings if you wanted. Just check your panels' Isc: floor(70/Isc) = max number of strings.

I read about those issues too. They have made changes to the newer units, being fanless, the ct coil connection board is different, the mppt now handles 13A instead of the 11A of the older type. I think its safe to assume the noise issue is fixed. Mine certainly has no noise.

Has anybody had any experience with this inverter, it reviews quite excellent reviews overseas

Is there any feedback on this inverter, eg. performance versus the Sunsynk 5KW inverter. What is support like and what are the quirks

The Growatt will still use all 12, it will just clip at 5.5kW in the middle of the day. In the mornings and evenings, if it's overcast, if your panels are not angled optimally or if they're in a E/W configuration the sixth panel will still add to your usable power. Wouldn't get a whole new inverter for that theoretic 1kW extra you maaay get in optimal conditions.

No need for more panels if you just want to keep your batteries full. Your panels are likely connected 2s2p. They just need to be connected 4s. 

No need for more panels if you just want to keep your batteries full. Your panels are likely connected 2s2p. They just need to be connected 4s. 

No need for more panels if you just want to keep your batteries full. Your panels are likely connected 2s2p. They just need to be connected 4s. 

The Growatt will still use all 12, it will just clip at 5.5kW in the middle of the day. In the mornings and evenings, if it's overcast, if your panels are not angled optimally or if they're in a E/W configuration the sixth panel will still add to your usable power. Wouldn't get a whole new inverter for that theoretic 1kW extra you maaay get in optimal conditions.

Stretch your budget a little bit and get two Pylontech US2000B for R23k at the Powerforum store and you will not have to worry about warranty issues. 
https://powerforum-store.co.za/collections/batterys/products/pylon-us2000b-plus-2-4kwh-li-ion-battery-excl-brackets

If you can, set it to use cold water only. We have a Bosch front loader washing machine on a 3kVA Multi with 1.8kWP and 5kWh off-grid and it barely makes a dent as long as you don't heat water.

https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2C guidelines and regulations/Requiremenst for Samll-Scale Embedded Generation.pdf

NRS 097 -2 -1

It's the GENERATION capacity that is limited, not the charge current

have to clarify, I have three phase 50 amp per phase supply, but i know there is something in the regulations which talks about charging from the grid, also looking for it

5 on either side each on its own MPPT

If connecting in series with old panels, you'll lose 0.01A in the string - 2.4W of 2260W... I would go for new panels. Your current panels have probably lost way more than that with age already.