Hello Everyone

 

Okay so my frustration has finally come to the point were I am now very seriously considering a grid-tied option. I need your advice on everything and I have quite a few questions. 

I have an energy monitor which I have installed this past weekend onto the DB board just to get an idea of my consumption but more importantly my peak use.  So far I've seen a peak of about 3.2Kw but that excluding the stove or geyser. I average while at home about 500w and when not at home about 200w. 

 

So onto the system I have been considering. Your advice on the brands and suppliers will be greatly appreciated. 

For the Inverter I was looking at the Sacolar 6Kw: https://shop.thesunpays.co.za/products/copy-of-sacolar-wifi-compatible-6kva-6kw-pure-sine-wave-axpert-type-48v-inverter-100a-high-voltage-mppt-parallel?variant=44432609050902&currency=ZAR&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7PCjBhDwARIsANo7Cgn3illnwD8fMgJ0qaqdsS-kAzXuwgpd_Df7jrTgloO8OUa7f3DayeMaAvn4EALw_wcB 

The panels the Seraphim 560w (My roof space is very small I hope I can fit 4 panels on one side): https://acdirect.co.za/product/seraphim-560w-144-cell-siii-series-solar-panel/?sfdr_ptcid=22117_617_697150846&sfdr_hash=f4b6f0ff4a1a10689570bee805ece6eb&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj_ajBhCqARIsAA37s0wPUL8NJ8ST7EOmk7iMYT23PmHFoHC3wYQ_0fcx-v4qzYa6pGokXtkaAtU-EALw_wcB

The batteries are the 120AH Gel x4 (Cost limitation on a lithium option): https://solarwarehousesa.com/products/120-ah-12v-slim-line-sun-god-american-deep-cycle-gel-battery?variant=45021606019393&currency=ZAR&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7PCjBhDwARIsANo7CgnwRyNftqEP3sXBQY0RQG-Nz9GAzsKCZRY2RCGmByRQpumJsxCBhXwaAlbNEALw_wcB

 

I want the system to run in the SUB option. Preserving the battery lifespan by just using it during load shedding.

One of my questions is if the panels are lets say drawing in 2000w, with the batteries fully charged, and my use at that time is say 3000w does the inverter use 2000w solar + 1000w Utility?

What kind of cost can I expect to get the panels installed? I have a friend who will do the inverter/battery install.

 

Thanks

Hi everyone

Does anyone have experience with Seraphim 560w? 

https://acdirect.co.za/product/solar-power-combo-deal-x6-seraphim-560w-144-cell-siii-series-solar-panels/?sfdr_ptcid=22117_617_697150870&sfdr_hash=83cd3cb07dc835c198b1b9168338ae05&gclid=CjwKCAjw1YCkBhAOEiwA5aN4AcomZ8NvL1BRHh3xd_rPSHCa2BLWMKjnWsCvvrlSdJeoOKrmliW3mRoC2ekQAvD_BwE

Adding to existing 5KVA Sunsync & 5KVA Revov battery

@Energy_Vampire

The batteries are the 120AH Gel x4, would be a cheaper option in short run, but would have to be replaced sooner than the Lithium ones

On 2023/06/05 at 9:50 AM, Energy_Vampire said:

Hello Everyone

 

Okay so my frustration has finally come to the point were I am now very seriously considering a grid-tied option. I need your advice on everything and I have quite a few questions. 

I have an energy monitor which I have installed this past weekend onto the DB board just to get an idea of my consumption but more importantly my peak use.  So far I've seen a peak of about 3.2Kw but that excluding the stove or geyser. I average while at home about 500w and when not at home about 200w. 

 

So onto the system I have been considering. Your advice on the brands and suppliers will be greatly appreciated. 

For the Inverter I was looking at the Sacolar 6Kw: https://shop.thesunpays.co.za/products/copy-of-sacolar-wifi-compatible-6kva-6kw-pure-sine-wave-axpert-type-48v-inverter-100a-high-voltage-mppt-parallel?variant=44432609050902&currency=ZAR&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7PCjBhDwARIsANo7Cgn3illnwD8fMgJ0qaqdsS-kAzXuwgpd_Df7jrTgloO8OUa7f3DayeMaAvn4EALw_wcB 

The panels the Seraphim 560w (My roof space is very small I hope I can fit 4 panels on one side): https://acdirect.co.za/product/seraphim-560w-144-cell-siii-series-solar-panel/?sfdr_ptcid=22117_617_697150846&sfdr_hash=f4b6f0ff4a1a10689570bee805ece6eb&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj_ajBhCqARIsAA37s0wPUL8NJ8ST7EOmk7iMYT23PmHFoHC3wYQ_0fcx-v4qzYa6pGokXtkaAtU-EALw_wcB

The batteries are the 120AH Gel x4 (Cost limitation on a lithium option): https://solarwarehousesa.com/products/120-ah-12v-slim-line-sun-god-american-deep-cycle-gel-battery?variant=45021606019393&currency=ZAR&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7PCjBhDwARIsANo7CgnwRyNftqEP3sXBQY0RQG-Nz9GAzsKCZRY2RCGmByRQpumJsxCBhXwaAlbNEALw_wcB

 

I want the system to run in the SUB option. Preserving the battery lifespan by just using it during load shedding.

One of my questions is if the panels are lets say drawing in 2000w, with the batteries fully charged, and my use at that time is say 3000w does the inverter use 2000w solar + 1000w Utility?

What kind of cost can I expect to get the panels installed? I have a friend who will do the inverter/battery install.

 

Thanks

You have a couple of problems:

With only 4 panels , how fast will the inverter switch on, on a normal sunny day and will it ever start up on a overcast day? Is it possible to go east west array, one on each input?

The charge rate on Lithium batteries are higher than Gel or lead. That means you can recharge a Li battery faster. Start with a small Li battery and add more later?

Prepare to wait quite a while for a decent installer, those guys are mostly extremely busy. You can maybe have lookon the installer required tab and see if somebody is close to you. 

On 2023/06/05 at 9:50 AM, Energy_Vampire said:

What kind of cost can I expect to get the panels installed? I have a friend who will do the inverter/battery install.

This should be a cheaper option, and price is always important. But if you did everything through a good installer there would be some upsides
1) They will recommend a combination of items that they know will work and work together
2) If ANYTHING goes wrong, you call one guy. Especially if it is something internal to the batteries or the inverters, then the guy you get to do it says well I just put the wiring in.
3) In the circumstances I describe above, the installer will know the people back at the wholsealer/manufacturer and can intercede on your behalf. Or just upgrade the firmware or whatever is necessary. They should be able to do the trouble shooting.

The guys who did mine took care of all this at various times. A reputable installer won't just come in, wire some stuff together and ride off into the sunset. So, yes, you pay more, but there are some upsides to it as well.

 

 

On 2023/06/05 at 9:50 AM, Energy_Vampire said:

I want the system to run in the SUB option. Preserving the battery lifespan by just using it during load shedding.

One of my questions is if the panels are lets say drawing in 2000w, with the batteries fully charged, and my use at that time is say 3000w does the inverter use 2000w solar + 1000w Utility?

If you've set the system to not discharge the batteries unless there's an outage, then the system has two sources of power it can use: Solar and grid. So you are right: It will draw 2kW from solar and the rest from grid.

What you are proposing will not save you much money during the evenings, but will still save you some money and will give you protection against load shedding.

The way I look at it is that panels save money and batteries give protection. So if you can stretch to 10kWh you will find that you have more protection AND that you can use some of the battery overnight (especially if you are careful with your consumption) instead of grid, and still have some in hand if the grid goes down.

My system Friday just gone. Blue line is PV, yellow line is demand, green line is SOC

Soc is 80% at midnight. Load fluctuates between 120 and 300W overnight (fridges, security, exterior lighting). The big surge in demand at 6:00 is the heat pump (water heating turning on). I have 55% SOC when the heat pump turns off, and PV just starting to come on line. If it were an overcast day AND there was a 4 hour load shed at 6:00, I'd have a hot shower and 4.5 kWh left. OK... 3.5 usable kWh, but since the pool (non-essentials) won't start up, and I'm careful with appliances (I include the kettle in that) I have a good chance of getting through that load shed.

Note the yellow line between 9:00 and 15:00. We try to do as much as possible during the daylight hours, so that we know that we can stretch the battery a long way overnight.

I fully understand that it's not my money that will be spent 🙂, but 10kWh is worth considering, especially if you can control the loads after 16:00 or so.

Edit: There are two  posts here asking questions, and I got confused between the two. So I've struck out large chunks of my reply to @Energy_Vampire, and they should please be ignored.

 

Edited June 11, 20233 yr by Bobster.

Thank you guys so much for the replies.

Right now Im just trying to work out exactly what's within my affordability and what are good options in terms of equipment.

 

I do wish I could put more panels. I live in a duplex unit so roof spaces is very limited. At most if I am lucky I would be able to get in 8 panels otherwise it would be 6.  I guess if I put some vertical and horizontal maybe more could be squeezed in. I do live alone so I can probably manage my usage more efficiently around the sunlight hours.

 

I see  I need a hybrid inverter? I see the Solis S5 could be a better option?

@Vaal Thanks I will give the looking for installers required section a look. 

@Bobster.I definitely understand that ideally 1 reputable installer would be the best option. I am working with a rather small budget so were I can save I'm trying to. I have heard installers charge about R20k for the total install whereas if I just get someone reputable just to install the panels Ill save there.