March 1, 20224 yr Hello I have 9 360W Canadian solar feeding a Victron 5kvA MPPT and a 61A BSL Lithium battery. The Victron ESS does a great job but due to the often slow charging due to the significant cloudiness of the last few months, it limits my discharge run to between 50-60%. I’d like to add more charging capacity - i.e more panels. I have received a quote for 6 panels which was R42k - including R8k for a 5 string combiner, 3k for cabling, 1k (about) per panel for mounting hardware and the panels themselves at about R2500 ea. This just seems excessive It appears that I currently have 3 strings of 3 panels feeding into a 4 string combiner. Any suggestions why I couldn’t have 4 strings of four panels giving me 16 panels? Do the panels have to be the same as the existing ones? Any suggestions for another reputable i.e (you’ve had good service and pricing in the Randburg area) company I can ask for another quote? I did ask the power-forum store but then realized they’re in cape town…….. Thanks.
March 1, 20224 yr Author 22 minutes ago, YellowTapemeasure said: The Powerforum-store is all over South Africa, not just in CT. Sure, they’re online. But they won’t come and install at my house I’m guessing?
March 1, 20224 yr 12 minutes ago, mikeblackburn said: Sure, they’re online. But they won’t come and install at my house I’m guessing? They can nominate or recommend an approved installer, did mine in Johannesburg.
March 1, 20224 yr 1 hour ago, mikeblackburn said: I have 9 360W Canadian solar feeding a Victron 5kvA MPPT I find it hard to believe that with 9kW PV you are battling to charge your battery....Where are you situated ? Is it not your MPPT that is limiting the charge rate? Even in bad weather (and Feb has been a good month in JHB) you should still be getting at least 36kWh produced per day. I'm in JHB with 14kW battery and 6kW panels (5kW inverter) and easily charge from 50 - 100% by midday and that includes providing power to the house as well...
March 1, 20224 yr Author 13 minutes ago, FixAMess said: I find it hard to believe that with 9kW PV you are battling to charge your battery....Where are you situated ? Is it not your MPPT that is limiting the charge rate? Even in bad weather (and Feb has been a good month in JHB) you should still be getting at least 36kWh produced per day. I'm in JHB with 14kW battery and 6kW panels (5kW inverter) and easily charge from 50 - 100% by midday and that includes providing power to the house as well... Yeah, my typing wasn’t clear. I have 9 x 360W giving me 3.2KW PV in full sun. On days where usage at home is low it will charge to full by midday - it would be nice to have more PV so on the days where there is more use and/or then a greater percentage of the PV goes to the battery when it’s assisting the house power. Edited March 1, 20224 yr by mikeblackburn Clarity
March 1, 20224 yr Author 21 minutes ago, YellowTapemeasure said: They can nominate or recommend an approved installer, did mine in Johannesburg. Aha. OK. I’ll give them a call. Did send an email last month but haven’t had a response. Thanks!
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