Chloe

PylonTech
The Pylon Technology lithium ferrous phosphate (LFP) batteries were some of the first lithium batteries available which enclosed both the lithium cells and battery management system in a simple rack mounted unit. The first generation Extra2000 was replaced by the US2000B which has many improvements and more robust battery cable connections. The US2000B is the same size 2.4kWh module (previously with a touch screen interface) which allows easy setup and monitoring together with connections for multiple units in parallel. PylonTech also supply higher voltage modules for commercial applications.
Lithium ferrous phosphate (LFP) is generally considered the most stable of all the lithium battery chemistries especially at elevated temperatures above 40 degC (common in Australia) which is highlighted by the high battery cut-off temperature of 50 degC. Cycle life is also quite high at a claimed 6,000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge, although it is unknown what the end of life (EOL) retained capacity is after this number of cycles?
The warranty is for 5 years and specifies 60% EOL capacity with the extented 10 year warranty. Note the previous warranty states no more than 360 cycles per year. Based on this the new battery performance will remain the same and we can assume 3,000 cycles at 80% DOD. The battery module operates at the nominal voltage of 48V and now has a higher peak power output of 5kW (previous model was 2.2kW) over a short discharge duration of 60 sec. The updated US2000B battery retails at the same price as the previous Extra2000.
1.92kWh (80%) usable for 3000 cycles to 70% retained capacity (EOL)
Power output – Continuous @ 48V = 2.4kW, Max Peak 4.8kW (1 min)
Round trip efficiency = 94%
US2000B = AU$1290 (US$1100) – Cost per usable kWh = AU$752
US2000B - Warranty: 10 years (after online registration) to 60% retained capacity. Refer to warranty document here
See full detailed PylonTech battery data sheet and manual here

Here's 2 more:
https://solarbatteryexperts.co.za/product/14kwh-lithium-ion-50-off-sale-free-shipping/?fbclid=IwAR1BbZ0iZWIEi_I65mrv0ix14U320It0M_G3inbCbuerpI-eu8U1LqtsTEs
And
https://wholesale-solar.co.za/product/6kw-lithium-ion-batteries-back-to-school-50-off-sale/?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=shp&utm_network=u&utm_mobile=0&utm_creative=572770717178&utm_position&utm_random=11246342280207977292&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8vSOBhCkARIsAGdp6RQ8ROAJJMs6hLsCRrZTmme4dS5KMp_XWBXZXUHF5lVmcbiiqXPhgBoaAnBVEALw_wcB&utm_campaign=smart+shopping+-+za+(2)&utm_ad_group_id=820886&utm_campaign_id=877880&utm_prod_id=6916&fbclid=IwAR03fgpgjfXXdg2wqPVGNaBeZkd2HcVza5vJOxxiC2iL593vsMsbpMPHxsg
 

It is a very good price for the installation, most guys would charge R12 000-R15 000 for a 8kw Sunsynk. To me the equipment seem a bit expensive.

Have you tried contacting the Powerforum-store I'm sure Steve would beable to offer better pricing.

Hello and welcome.
With your daily consumption which is almost 3x my own, I would definitely consider an 8K Sunsynk. Its smaller brother (5.5K) has served me very well for over 1 year.
+1 for Steve at the Powerforumstore, there are few with his knowledge, industry experience and insight. Plus he's a hell of a nice guy, and their pricing is very competitive. Always a pleasure dealing with the Powerforumstore.

You won't go wrong with a Sunsynk. For your loads I would suggest the 8kw or if funds is a problem start with a 5kw and add another at a later stage, hey we all had to start somewhere... We started just with the 5kw Sunsynk inverter got Hubble batteries a month or so later and later the panels. Running completely off grid now with a normal geyser, water pumps, borehole pump, fridges and so forth but I do have a gas stove/oven.
You could always have a chat to Steve from Powerforum-store he's really helpful when it comes to  explaining things.

You won't go wrong with a Sunsynk. For your loads I would suggest the 8kw or if funds is a problem start with a 5kw and add another at a later stage, hey we all had to start somewhere... We started just with the 5kw Sunsynk inverter got Hubble batteries a month or so later and later the panels. Running completely off grid now with a normal geyser, water pumps, borehole pump, fridges and so forth but I do have a gas stove/oven.
You could always have a chat to Steve from Powerforum-store he's really helpful when it comes to  explaining things.

Most new inverters comes with a wifi dongle and you can monitor everything via an app but the apps can't switch loads on and off yet.

Ok, people, my vote is for no registration or licensing required, unless you feed into the grid, if all you are doing is supplementing commercial power with your own, or even run off the grid, it should have no requirements.
As for being a producer of power... the problem is, that if you need to feed into the grid, the line voltage will rise and this, if everyone in your neighbourhood wants to do this, can end up with 300V on a 220V circuit, which some equipment may not be all that happy with, then a cloud comes over/the wind stops and all the power being produced disappears and the utility is up the creek and the 300V turns into 180V as all the consumers pull instead of push power... it is not as simple as some may try and make it sound, that we are being ripped off by Eskom and the grid tied municipalities goes without saying, but since they have run the infrastructure into bad shape & all, it probably is best to consider doing them the favour of lightening the load and disconnecting from the grid. At least until such time as they get their issues sorted and produce reliable power at a more reasonable rate and don't charge for everything else that is really included in the energy charge, separately, but is a great way of adding more fees and make it sound no too unreasonable.
Service and Administration Charge
Network Capacity Charge
Network Demand Charge
Anciliiary service charge
Energy charge
 
Wait, you forgot to add the drinks and hookers charge...

I have been trying to make sense of this post.  Please help.
I assume that the 5M you refer to is 5MW (megawatt).
I assume that 40M is in fact 40m (metres), and 8M is 8m.  I further assume that the 605W you refer to is a 605W panel.  The only one I can find is a Jinko RS600M-120HC - they measure 2172mm x 1303mm.  You could fit a theoretical maximum of 113 into an area 40m x 8m if you packed them without gaps to avoid shading, more like 40% of that in practice.  "Easily 120" would be a stretch - perhaps I have misunderstood you?
By 7.2 KWhr I assume that you mean 7.2kWh.  I do not understand that - 120 x 605W would be about 72kW.   (Expressing power output in kWh makes no sense unless you attach a time dimension to it.)  Did you mean to say 7.2kW?  If so it should have been 72kW.
So, (making many assumptions) is this what you were trying to say?
"I have a space of 40m x 8m where I could fit in 72kW of PV using 120 x 605W panels".  It would not be quite true, but OK.
Forgive me if I am being too pedantic, but there are many people who read these forums who are not technically educated - the conversation will be more easily understood by all if we so not each invent our own abbreviations.

you can also swap the 4 kW element to a 3 or even 2 kW element, i swapped mine out for a 2 kW element and raised the thermostat to it's maximum of 70 degrees, so now my 5 kW Sunsynk has no problems with the load and have hot water the next morning also.

I love the Hubble units. Able to discharge at 100A if I am correct. I need to stay neutral as admin, however I hope this is helpful.
Jay

CoCT has published their proposed budget for the next financial year for public comment. 
They are proposing a 13.5% increase for electricity.
https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family and home/Meet-the-City/the-city-budget/the-citys-budget-2021-2022
Electricity tariffs for Home User tariff. Current tariffs in brackets. Including vat. 
 
Monthly network charge R194.29 (R168.95)
Block 1 0-600kWh R2.40/kWh (R2.09)
Block 2 More than 600kWh R3.31/kWh (R2.88)
 

 

Only available next week 🙄

The Sunsynk 10kW 3 phase will be available from next week. The 8kW and 12kW has not arrived yet.

The Sunsynk 10kW 3 phase will be available from next week. The 8kW and 12kW has not arrived yet.

Hi All

I would like to thank everyone for making this Forum possible.

It has assisted me in understanding the dynamics of the evolving Solar world and highlighted the Do's and Don't s for me.
 
Also thanks for @leshen who made time to come out and see my possible install and quoted me for said install.
 
After all my research I have decided to go with the following:
SunSynk 8.8kw with WiFi Dongle (The 5.5kw would work but I do not want to be in a position were I would regret not spending the little extra now)
BLS 6.12kw Battery (Budget only allows for a single battery now with the plans to add the next one by year end)
12X Mono Panels (For now I will start on 12 then add every couple of months to this when possible to the ideal 18 I would need) No brand confirmed yet.
The other standard hardware.
 
Can someone please explain why people opt for ready built items like the PV Protection Box and Earth Neutral Bridge VS building this yourself of having the electrician do it?
It is cheaper to self assemble this from what I have worked out.
 
I read of a BLS 6.12KW and 6.4KW; is this the same battery or different?
 
I plan to run the AUX load for my non essential and feed it PV and Battery at different times.

Loads before the inverter, non-essential loads (not on UPS).

You won’t be sorry 

I'm also keen on getting the 8kW Sunsynk when I move into my new house.

Put a 1.5kW element in the geyser set to 70 put it on a timer to only heat during the peak times. Sunsynk inverters can supply power to non essentials loads. Some guys here run there geysers on the aux port on the inverter.

Totally cloudy day today in Jhb. Sun was out for 2 mins and production from a 9360w array reached 10400w. 

Wow, that was quick!

Thanks Steve from the @Powerforum Store for the supply and @leshen for the install.
Quick and neat.
Now I wait for loadshedding   

Powerforumstore.