Gimpex

Great system. Very similar to what I’m considering , including the generator. one question , you say installed in a June , but the graph gives full 12 months data . Is that projection ?

One more please. If i have 2 x Sunsynk 12kw 3phase inverters connected in parallel, and one of them packs up, will the other one still supply power? The way i see it, 2 x 3phase inverters cost R120k and gives me at least 8k per phase. If i get 3x 8kw single phase inverters, for a 3 phase installation, it will cost around R100k, but if one dies, one phase will lose all power so better to go for the first sxenario?

Thank you. I have received the answers , so I paste the question and response below , in case others have comments , or just as a reference for others who might want to know 1. If I have 2 of these inverters in parallel , would I be able to connect up to 15kw of solar panels to each of these inverters ?- yes that is correct 2. If I have 2 of these inverters in parallel , would the effective maximum draw on each phase be 12kw ( 6kw x 2) ?- no, the total 24KW is split over 3 phases. 24Kw/3 3. Do I need to connect batteries to both , or can i have 2 x 4.8kwh batteries connected to just one inverter ?- No, it must be a common battery bank and batteries needs to handle 500A/48V max discharge current. 4. These inverters have input for generators , which do not often come in 3 phases. will I be able to connect a normal single phase diesel generator to one phase ? If yes , would only that phase get use of the generator or will the inverter then give a max of 50% of one phase power to another phase ?- NO, it must be a 3 phase generator of double the capacity of inverter system. I have since googled and 3 -phase generators are not that uncommon actually. Seen a few in the 25kva range , they are from R35k upwards , so not cheap but definitely an option if Eskom is not. Also , any comment on point 2 - batteries , how would one connect them , and the draw seems very high. What sort of battery would be able to deliver that ? Am I correct in saying that I can connect normal Hubble / Pylontech batteries , if the draw wont be that high on batteries ? I plan to run all the heavy energy items like borehole pumps , geysers , machinery during the day when solar is feeding the system , and batteries are there for the night time , mainly lights , occasional pump from big tank to small tank , normal 220V plugs etc.

Thank you , read up more on this one and it’s not what I’m looking for unfortunately. Will look at the sunsynk 12kw 3 phase inverter. Sent their support an email with a few questions , let’s see.

Thanks Steve , thried to Google AC coupling but couldn’t see anything relevant. Is that a way of “fooling “ the inverter to thinking there is eskom when in fact there isn’t? And if it needs eskom does it go down with load shedding or it just needs occasional eskom connection but can operate without eskom for some period of time ?

Hi , thinking of getting this inverter for the farm , and 15kw of solar panels . Probably 5kw or 10kw battery for now. Got a few questions can this inverter work off grid or does it need Eskom power? do the loads have to be balanced on each phase , or will it just supply power to each phase as required , subject to max ? is the max 20kw per phase or just a total draw of 60kw across the 3 phases ? would it make sense to split the panels over as many mppt inputs as possible , or over as little as possible (all will be north facing at 25cdegrees )? thanks for your help

Hi Leslie , Do you have Eskom/grid plugged into the inverter ? I had the same issue with dipping on first and last light , but once I hooked up to Eskom it stopped and works as intended now.

Hi DeepBass1 , Any update on this project ? Most interesting thread . Also , would you mind sharing your gearing details , and more details on the electric motor to wheels setup , even pics if possible. I'm thinking of doing a similar project for a farm , but run time is main concern. Do you feel your 2500W motor sufficient for farm life ( torque over top speed ) , or would you go for a more powerful one , which obviously reduces run time on a charge. Thanks

I have the AlphaESS smile 5 , also sort of off the grid and yes , the alphaESS is not meant for off grid situations as confirmed by their head office in China . I contacted them because my system “blinks “ every day Twice a day at exactly the same time . By blinking I mean the voltage dips for a second then returns. A few seconds later same story . This goes on for a minute or so. The guy who installed it hasn’t finished the full installation and is now ignoring me. AlphaESS tech guys said they can’t test the system until there is a Eskom connection into the inverter . Basically a catch 22. It’s a nice system ....except for the Daily voltage drop Which results in a bit of a disco effect in the rooms where the lights are on.