Got the sign-off from CoCT about a month ago, so my DIY solar project is finally done and dusted. Thanks to everyone on the forum that provided advice - I probably would have stuffed it up if it wasn't for you.
The whole project took about three months of evenings and weekends to finish, and was a welcome distraction from the current state of the world.
4 strings of 4 Canadian Solar 400Wp poly panels in series, facing NNE.
Another string of 4 Canadian Solar 400Wp panels in series, facing WNW.
All five strings are paralleled together for a combined 8kWp.
This is my main DB. CoCT installed a new split prepaid meter. According to the technician that installed it it has built-in reverse power blocking. I have tested it to see what it does when I try to feed in power in to the grid, and it charges me in both directions. That is perfectly fine in my opinion - much preferable to it tripping when there is momentary feed-in.
Grid power is measured by an ET112. There is a breaker that connects the main DB to the solar installation in the scullery:
Top-left is the AC DB. Top-right is the DC combiner box. Bottom left is the Multiplus II 5kVA inverter, and bottom middle the SmartSolar 250/100 MPPT. The SmartSolar was initially running a bit hot for my liking, so I mounted it on a 6mm thick aluminium plate which brought down peak temperatures from 82C to 65C. Bottom-right is the Victron Cerbo. The battery cabinet on the floor contains 5 PylonTech US2000 batteries for a total nominal capacity of 12kWh. I've set it to 80% DoD:
Close-up of the DC buses.
Close-up of the AC DB, with and without cover.
Close-up of the DC combiner box, with and without cover.
The geyser and oven, as well as the swimming pool DB are connected to the main DB, so those are unpowered when there is loadshedding. The AC DB in the scullery is connected to the output of the Multiplus, so all the essential loads stay powered when grid power goes down.
