Hi there everyone, i am just starting out with solar now, or lets say starting to buy all the equipment...

But it seems like there is soo many kind of scam sites now.

Can someone point me in the direction of a trusted online seller?

Or where to buy in PE?

Im at this point considering just getting everything I need from Herholdts

The Powerforum store is a good start, and you'll receive excellent advice as well.

 

29 minutes ago, ChrisDied said:

Hi there everyone, i am just starting out with solar now, or lets say starting to buy all the equipment...

But it seems like there is soo many kind of scam sites now.

Can someone point me in the direction of a trusted online seller?

Or where to buy in PE?

Im at this point considering just getting everything I need from Herholdts

In PE you can also check out Rubicon in Sidwell, transact face-to-face on the premises, and then they can deliver. Just a warmer feeling throughout than ordering from a website. But Powerforum Store is supposed to be above board.

12 minutes ago, GreenFields said:

In PE you can also check out Rubicon in Sidwell, transact face-to-face on the premises, and then they can deliver. Just a warmer feeling throughout than ordering from a website. But Powerforum Store is supposed to be above board.

will definitely go and check them out

Also if there is anyone in PE that has already made all the mistakes and is willing to guide as to what to buy and who to use please let me know

1 hour ago, ChrisDied said:

Also if there is anyone in PE that has already made all the mistakes and is willing to guide as to what to buy and who to use please let me know

One thing that is necessary for a sucessful installation, anywhere in the country 🙂, is to analyse your needs first. What's your average consumption per day? What consumption can you move from the night to the day? What do you HAVE to have backed up and what's the draw for that? Is your aim just to get through load sheds or to make a serious reduction against your bill? And, of course, how much can you spend?

All of this goes towards sizing the system correctly and managing expectations.

55 minutes ago, Bobster. said:

One thing that is necessary for a sucessful installation, anywhere in the country 🙂, is to analyse your needs first. What's your average consumption per day? What consumption can you move from the night to the day? What do you HAVE to have backed up and what's the draw for that? Is your aim just to get through load sheds or to make a serious reduction against your bill? And, of course, how much can you spend?

All of this goes towards sizing the system correctly and managing expectations.

Budget is R150k

End goal is to get as close as possible of the grid.

i work from home so pc is constantly running from 08:30 till 17:15 (peak power 850w)

then i have two fridge freezers

washer dryer combo that I use 3 times a week (2200w)

dishwasher everyday for 2.5 hours (1800w)

I currently use about 25 to 30 prepaid units per day

at night it will be maybe 15-20 led downlights 2 lamps, router, dstv decoders and 2 or 3 tv`s with air fryer for maybe 30 minute every other night and the fridge freezers

 

Edited January 26, 20233 yr by ChrisDied

1 hour ago, ChrisDied said:

Budget is R150k

End goal is to get as close as possible of the grid.

i work from home so pc is constantly running from 08:30 till 17:15 (peak power 850w)

then i have two fridge freezers

washer dryer combo that I use 3 times a week (2200w)

dishwasher everyday for 2.5 hours (1800w)

I currently use about 25 to 30 prepaid units per day

at night it will be maybe 15-20 led downlights 2 lamps, router, dstv decoders and 2 or 3 tv`s with air fryer for maybe 30 minute every other night and the fridge freezers

 

You might need to get used to things like running the dishwasher in the day rather than overnight, but with a fair amount of panels and battery then I would say R150k is about realistic.

150k is doable - here is a sample quote incl installation >>

 

And another one

 

Both sites are decent (but overbooked) and have good track records with users here and on MyBroadband as well. But key is to understand your requirements as well as peak energy needed during the day and at night

29 minutes ago, RocketBoy said:

You might need to get used to things like running the dishwasher in the day rather than overnight, but with a fair amount of panels and battery then I would say R150k is about realistic.

Luckilly I already run dishwasher or washer only in the day, so wont be an issue

11 minutes ago, mzezman said:

150k is doable - here is a sample quote incl installation >>

 

And another one

 

Both sites are decent (but overbooked) and have good track records with users here and on MyBroadband as well. But key is to understand your requirements as well as peak energy needed during the day and at night

Thanks for the reply...

Ive been reading and watching videos for a couple of weeks now, and was think of the following basic components

- Sunsynk 8kw inverter, leaves some room for expansion

- Sunsynk 5.1kwh battery x 1 for now

- 14 x Canadian solar 425w panels, can get a good deal on these specific panels from a local supplier that he needs to get rid off

Those would be +/- R120k... which leaves R30k for the install, mounting, cabling etc... is this realistic? Or do I need to budget more for install by reputable installer?

1 minute ago, ChrisDied said:

Thanks for the reply...

Ive been reading and watching videos for a couple of weeks now, and was think of the following basic components

- Sunsynk 8kw inverter, leaves some room for expansion

- Sunsynk 5.1kwh battery x 1 for now

- 14 x Canadian solar 425w panels, can get a good deal on these specific panels from a local supplier that he needs to get rid off

Those would be +/- R120k... which leaves R30k for the install, mounting, cabling etc... is this realistic? Or do I need to budget more for install by reputable installer?

the 8kw DOES give you good headroom so go for that one. Major score if you can get those panels at below market rate. Has the installer you have lined up done a Sunsynk install before? If yes then go for it - if not then you could still get the components then contact @Leshen or @Steve87 as they are well known in these parts

4 minutes ago, mzezman said:

the 8kw DOES give you good headroom so go for that one. Major score if you can get those panels at below market rate. Has the installer you have lined up done a Sunsynk install before? If yes then go for it - if not then you could still get the components then contact @Leshen or @Steve87 as they are well known in these parts

I want to buy those components myself and get someone to just do the actuall install, so I will contact them for shure, thanks! And not an amazing deal on the panels, 10% discount, but that is for sure better than nothing

Edited January 26, 20233 yr by ChrisDied

One more question, is it better to have like 20 370w panels vs 12 550w panels, in terms of spread of panels on the roof if that makes sense?

Edited January 26, 20233 yr by ChrisDied

Hi guys haven't been following the thread but to answer the above question. The secret to panels & saving on costs. 

So panels from 365W close to 545W have similar width, the size difference is from the height of the panels. You will incur costs for your panel mounting system which is based on width. Better & more economical to mount 12 x 545W panels Vs 20 x 370W panels. 

41 minutes ago, Steve87 said:

Hi guys haven't been following the thread but to answer the above question. The secret to panels & saving on costs. 

So panels from 365W close to 545W have similar width, the size difference is from the height of the panels. You will incur costs for your panel mounting system which is based on width. Better & more economical to mount 12 x 545W panels Vs 20 x 370W panels. 

But if it comes to better power generating performance throughout th entire day? More panels at different angles better? Or wouldnt there be much of a difference?

All depends on your roof orientation. North is best average. But North facing starts it's production at +-8am & ends at +-17:30. The East facing roofs start at 6am & tapers off early afternoon. The West starts late but still generates after 17:30. 

So a good combo of all of these is the best. If however, you only have a single MPPT for the purposes of East west combo. Make sure you parallel them equally in voltage. Meaning join equal amounts of panels. If 6 East then Join 6 West & so forth. 

 

And for future expansion, you're more likely to find 450 to 600w next year vs 300w ones

20 hours ago, ChrisDied said:

Im at this point considering just getting everything I need from Herholdts

You will have to register as a dealer, and even then the prices aren't exactly great.

Give The Powerforum Store a call. I did an install in PE last year April and used them, service and delivery was excellent, despite national shortages of a number of components. I also tried out a new installer, and will never use him again after the mess he made. I gave that feedback to Steve, so he knows exactly who NOT to recommend. PFS is consistently well priced, and they give the best advice, no matter where in the country.

12 hours ago, Steve87 said:

Hi guys haven't been following the thread but to answer the above question. The secret to panels & saving on costs. 

So panels from 365W close to 545W have similar width, the size difference is from the height of the panels. You will incur costs for your panel mounting system which is based on width. Better & more economical to mount 12 x 545W panels Vs 20 x 370W panels. 

Absolutely. And a wider spread of panels means more exposure to the risk of shading, and the risk of panel damage due to wind, it's PE after all, so skimping on panel mounting is foolish.

Edited January 27, 20233 yr by YellowTapemeasure

2 hours ago, YellowTapemeasure said:

You will have to register as a dealer, and even then the prices aren't exactly great.

Give The Powerforum Store a call. I did an install in PE last year April and used them, service and delivery was excellent, despite national shortages of a number of components. I also tried out a new installer, and will never use him again after the mess he made. I gave that feedback to Steve, so he knows exactly who NOT to recommend. PFS is consistently well priced, and they give the best advice, no matter where in the country.

will do!

https://www.livestainable.co.za/product/geyserwise-ptc-stainless-steel-230v-electrical-element-1-5kw/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAic6eBhCoARIsANlox87E6cydCqMCnhHHUxlEdsCgJKTknpoIxoxHXa1yzfEkhSzGYsKX93kaArBMEALw_wcB

Has anybody here switched to that element and ran geyser of your solar system? I already have all the geyserwise controllers etc, just need to change the element to that.

Also would like a response to this