February 5, 20233 yr So we are on a farm and have a system, with three rental units including our own house. Eskom line connection fee is more than the kwh related amount we consume. We want to go completely offgrid… because neighbours paid eskom r15k to go prepaid 3 years ago and they are still not converted… Would it be feasible to install a system at each unit, and use the existing wiring to connect all the units into a private grid, so one could share excess power by prioritising load, battery then feedback to grid? And also use grid to charge batteries. Then if say someday we need more we can add panels or a new system anywhere on the grid…. Also it would then be feasible to utilise the various roof orientations better. i am assuming it can’t be done simply, as there is no global grid to push back to, the private grid will just be too erratic unless some systems are undersized and batteries oversized for instance. Maybe… and all the inverters probably need the same reaction time…
February 10, 20233 yr This can be done however, the territory you are in is micro grid status. This makes use of High Voltage Lithium and inverters...
March 17, 20233 yr Great Idea, but in South Africa it is illegal to transfer power over a property boundary. So a microgrid would be illegal.
March 17, 20233 yr 14 minutes ago, Againstthegrains said: Great Idea, but in South Africa it is illegal to transfer power over a property boundary. So a microgrid would be illegal. @Againstthegrains Are you 100% sure of this? How does an estate like Midstream work that is provisioning their own electricity? https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/664139/this-estate-has-a-r200-million-solar-plan-to-cut-up-to-4-stages-of-load-shedding/ As long as the properties are all bordering each other and they are not going to be crossing any public/private property I don't know of any laws restricting the exchange of energy between properties.
March 17, 20233 yr 6 minutes ago, Sc00bs said: @Againstthegrains Are you 100% sure of this? How does an estate like Midstream work that is provisioning their own electricity? https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/664139/this-estate-has-a-r200-million-solar-plan-to-cut-up-to-4-stages-of-load-shedding/ As long as the properties are all bordering each other and they are not going to be crossing any public/private property I don't know of any laws restricting the exchange of energy between properties. They are a private estate. The same as a complex having 1 power supply point and arrange their own payment for unit holders. The same system can be done on the farm with a few units. Many homeowners do it for a garden flat. Private prepaid system. Where the problem comes in is when you start selling to a neighbour that has a munic/Esk connection. Edited March 17, 20233 yr by Scorp007
March 17, 20233 yr 1 minute ago, Sc00bs said: @Againstthegrains Are you 100% sure of this? How does an estate like Midstream work that is provisioning their own electricity? https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/664139/this-estate-has-a-r200-million-solar-plan-to-cut-up-to-4-stages-of-load-shedding/ As long as the properties are all bordering each other and they are not going to be crossing any public/private property I don't know of any laws restricting the exchange of energy between properties. I think that's not right either. That would mean that I can sling an extension lead over the fence to my neighbour. City Power don't like that. OK... "City Power", maybe this is by-law thing in Johannesburg. Midstream in interesting, they have a micro-grid already. That allows them to have a big PV/Battery system that feeds their microgrid rather than having put solar on individual roofs and then find a way of sorting out demand. Also they are implementing smart meters and participation in the scheme is optional. It's a quite a different solution than @Andre grobler is enquiring about.
March 17, 20233 yr On 2023/02/05 at 7:27 PM, Andre grobler said: So we are on a farm and have a system, with three rental units including our own house. Eskom line connection fee is more than the kwh related amount we consume. We want to go completely offgrid… because neighbours paid eskom r15k to go prepaid 3 years ago and they are still not converted… Would it be feasible to install a system at each unit, and use the existing wiring to connect all the units into a private grid, so one could share excess power by prioritising load, battery then feedback to grid? And also use grid to charge batteries. Then if say someday we need more we can add panels or a new system anywhere on the grid…. Also it would then be feasible to utilise the various roof orientations better. i am assuming it can’t be done simply, as there is no global grid to push back to, the private grid will just be too erratic unless some systems are undersized and batteries oversized for instance. Maybe… and all the inverters probably need the same reaction time… @Andre grobler There is no doubt that it can be done, I think that the big questions are how much it would cost and who would be able to do it for you.
March 17, 20233 yr Just now, Sc00bs said: @Andre grobler There is no doubt that it can be done, I think that the big questions are how much it would cost and who would be able to do it for you. Interesting things on the go in the OFS where farmers club together and the intension is to take over the lines from a substation and they all contribute to the mini network. Regulator is the stumbling block. At least LS is going to force new laws around who may/may not sell power. You can only keep a strong guy down for a period. 💪💪
March 17, 20233 yr 3 minutes ago, Scorp007 said: Interesting things on the go in the OFS where farmers club together and the intension is to take over the lines from a substation and they all contribute to the mini network. Regulator is the stumbling block. At least LS is going to force new laws around who may/may not sell power. You can only keep a strong guy down for a period. 💪💪 The rapid decentralisation of the South African power grid is here and businesses/households are being forced to decouple from Eskom for survival. It is happening a lot faster than people anticipate and our whole power landscape will be fundamentally different in 10 years time.
March 17, 20233 yr 28 minutes ago, Sc00bs said: @Againstthegrains Are you 100% sure of this? How does an estate like Midstream work that is provisioning their own electricity? https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/664139/this-estate-has-a-r200-million-solar-plan-to-cut-up-to-4-stages-of-load-shedding/ As long as the properties are all bordering each other and they are not going to be crossing any public/private property I don't know of any laws restricting the exchange of energy between properties. You are not allowed to cross property boundaries; technically it's illegal to have an extension cord cross property boundaries - unless you have a license to sell electricity. (in the last instance, the extension cord might also breach some other laws as well...). From your article, Midstream Electrical Supplies distribute electricity in Midstream, I assume they have a license...
March 17, 20233 yr A good example in the Cape is a complex where they even have HV power lines in order to provide for their lifestyle.
March 17, 20233 yr on this topic, although not answering the original post. IF myself and the neighbor decides to erect a pole/structure on the fence wall with 12/14/16/20 or hundred(this is for argument sake) solar panels (these very same panels will provide shade for his outside patio area by his pool) and we run the PV cables down to the wall with junction box installed. we both tap into this junction box to our own inverters.... can this work?
March 17, 20233 yr Just now, Flouw said: can this work? You can't connect multiple MPPTs to the same string, that won't work, they will fight each other.
March 17, 20233 yr 47 minutes ago, Flouw said: on this topic, although not answering the original post. IF myself and the neighbor decides to erect a pole/structure on the fence wall with 12/14/16/20 or hundred(this is for argument sake) solar panels (these very same panels will provide shade for his outside patio area by his pool) and we run the PV cables down to the wall with junction box installed. we both tap into this junction box to our own inverters.... can this work? The typical solution to entertain distributed solar strings is to use string inverters. These are gridtied pv only inverters, ac-coupled to the 220vac reticulation. Now your entering microgrid territory however. Edited March 17, 20233 yr by BritishRacingGreen
March 17, 20233 yr 3 hours ago, P1000 said: You can't connect multiple MPPTs to the same string, that won't work, they will fight each other. The solution to MPPTs are that each MPPT has its own panels and they charge a common set of batteries. Both inverters then share the batteries and each inverter is connected to each dwellings loads. Not worth it. The sum total of power is the same for 2 free standing systems or sharing. You only save a bit on the structure for both sets of panels. Charging the neighbour for power used is just easier. Having a common generator and charging users in a shared complex like mini factories or shopping centre is just easier. Who can police people for doing it?
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