Posted September 29, 20186 yr Good morning guys, I want to solar power my granny flat also just for daytime consumption, nothing too fancy. I estimate the flat peaks at 1.5kW for short bursts and uses about 3kW during the day at most. Come night time, the usage drops drastically, therefore having batteries will be a waste...for now... please recommend something reliable but light on the wallet. I have 10 x 3 meters of roof available
September 29, 20186 yr Look at Solis inverters. Addition: When I first looked at your post my PC truncated it to "Solar power a granny...."
September 29, 20186 yr 1 hour ago, Chris Hobson said: Look at Solis inverters. O yes! But check your regs, as they are true blue blood grid tied with no batteries.
September 29, 20186 yr Author 4 hours ago, The Terrible Triplett said: O yes! But check your regs, as they are true blue blood grid tied with no batteries. It seems Ekurhuleni Municipality have not done anything regarding solar as yet. They keep referring me to the "installer" and only recommend I get a COC.
September 29, 20186 yr 25 minutes ago, Antony said: It seems Ekurhuleni Municipality have not done anything regarding solar as yet. Ja, they are a wee bit challenged at best yes. :-) I would have followed the CoCT and Jhb regs, Jhb may change theirs still. At the very LEAST prepare for it all, CoC is useless if the regs change, double costs. In my mind NERSA is behind it. They are going to make the regs happen at municipal level, as they did with CoCT. Just need a working council, and Ramaphosa is sorting that out, one bite at a time.
September 29, 20186 yr Author 6 hours ago, Chris Hobson said: Look at Solis inverters. Does this inverter also "mix" grid and PV when load exceeds PV output? like the Goodwe?
September 29, 20186 yr 58 minutes ago, Antony said: Does this inverter also "mix" grid and PV when load exceeds PV output? like the Goodwe? Yes
September 29, 20186 yr 1 hour ago, Antony said: Oh goody, I mean Solis ;-) If you go this route, you need 3 parts: 1) Solis inverter 2) Solis Data Logging Stick - WiFi 3) Current Transformer for Solis 4G range And it is on the CoCT approved lists. Ask Branden at the PowerForum Store for prices.
September 29, 20186 yr Wow thanks guys. [email protected] will contact you first thing in the morning. Sincerely. Jason
September 30, 20186 yr Author 13 hours ago, The Terrible Triplett said: Ask Branden at the PowerForum Store for prices. done
September 30, 20186 yr Author 13 hours ago, The Terrible Triplett said: If you go this route, you need 3 parts: 1) Solis inverter 2) Solis Data Logging Stick - WiFi 3) Current Transformer for Solis 4G range And it is on the CoCT approved lists. Ask Branden at the PowerForum Store for prices. Hi TTT Why do I need the CT, I thought that was only necessary if you want to push back to grid? ps, I'm in East Rand Gauteng
September 30, 20186 yr Author Also do I get the Solis 3.0kW 4G Dual MPPT - Single Phase or Solis 3.0kW Mini 4G Single Tracker
September 30, 20186 yr Author What if I want standby for load shedding just for some LED lights and TV. I'm already looking at R38k for a Solis 3kW (incl Wi-Fi) with 12* 265W panels, including a thumb suck of R10k for extras like cables, etc.
September 30, 20186 yr 4 hours ago, Antony said: Hi TTT Why do I need the CT, I thought that was only necessary if you want to push back to grid? ps, I'm in East Rand Gauteng 3 hours ago, Antony said: Also do I get the Solis 3.0kW 4G Dual MPPT - Single Phase or Solis 3.0kW Mini 4G Single Tracker 3 hours ago, Antony said: Also do I get the Solis 3.0kW 4G Dual MPPT - Single Phase or Solis 3.0kW Mini 4G Single Tracker Solis is grid tied inverter therefor it needs the CT to measures what comes and goes ito power. It is a must. East Rand ... pray check your local regulations, @pilotfish found them quite stringent for JHB ito grid tied. CoCT is quite ok compared. Dual = 2 x MPPT's. Can be used quite successfully if you ask me, IF you want. In my opinion, 3kw is quite acceptable for a home, as most of the loads are below 1kw and the peaks maybe 3kw. Mini or the other? I think one is a newer model. Cannot recall right now. I'm testing a 1.3kw array now, to see how to optimally use it. Each day I want to add more panels, but when I look at the data, most of the loads for most of the day is below 1kw. So my initial plan with the Solis, get 1 x 1kw solar and connect it. See the difference with existing panels. Then, get a 2nd one with panels. You cna have up to 3 of the connected to the same DB board.
September 30, 20186 yr Author 2 minutes ago, The Terrible Triplett said: Solis is grid tied inverter therefor it needs the CT to measures what comes and goes ito power. It is a must. OK... it seems the CT is included with the inverter anyway. 10 minutes ago, The Terrible Triplett said: East Rand ... pray check your local regulations, @pilotfish found them quite stringent for JHB ito grid tied. CoCT is quite ok compared. I checked with Ekurhuleni, they have nothing yet. I suppose they will wake up later. 12 minutes ago, The Terrible Triplett said: Dual = 2 x MPPT's. Can be used quite successfully if you ask me, IF you want. In my opinion, 3kw is quite acceptable for a home, as most of the loads are below 1kw and the peaks maybe 3kw. Mini or the other? I think one is a newer model. Cannot recall right now. It seems the mini only has 1 MPPT I found quite a bit of info in the meantime on www.thepowerstore.co.za I'm considering the Solis 1.5kW 4G Dual MPPT but will it be enough to start a 0.75kW pool pump. 14 minutes ago, The Terrible Triplett said: You can have up to 3 of the connected to the same DB board. mmm... this might be an option to upgrade later. Maybe I should start with the 1.5kW first https://thepowerstore.co.za/collections/inverters/products/solis-1-5kw-mini-4g-single-tracker
September 30, 20186 yr On 2018/09/29 at 11:28 AM, Antony said: Good morning guys, I want to solar power my granny flat also just for daytime consumption, nothing too fancy. I estimate the flat peaks at 1.5kW for short bursts and uses about 3kW during the day at most. OK 3 hours ago, Antony said: What if I want standby for load shedding just for some LED lights and TV. I'm already looking at R38k for a Solis 3kW (incl Wi-Fi) with 12* 265W panels, including a thumb suck of R10k for extras like cables, etc. Why are you looking at a 3kW inverter and enough panels to power at least 15kWh?
September 30, 20186 yr Author 2 minutes ago, Chris Hobson said: Why are you looking at a 3kW inverter and enough panels to power at least 15kWh? Hi, that was just get a feel for pricing for whole house to see if it is worth just doing the granny flat, but I have been able to narrow it down somewhat. I just hope my assumptions are correct. Max Inverter Watts 1800 JA Panel (Watts) 265 Cost R 1,610.40 Cost / Watt R 6.08 Panels Needed (equal number) 6 (6.5) Total Cost R 9,662.40 Actual Watts (Max Voltage x Max Amps) 1590 Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) [V] 37.95 Maximum Power Voltage (Vmp) [V 30.92 Short Circuit Current (Isc) [A] 9.11 Maximum Power Current (Imp) [A] 8.57 Width mm 991 Height mm 1650 Max Voltage 186 Max Amps 8.57 1 String Max Volts 186 1 String Max Amps 8.57 2 Strings Max Volts 124 2 Strings Max Amps 17.14 1 String Max Watts 1590 2 Strings Max Watts 2120 Inverter Solis 1.5kW Mini 4G Single Tracker R 4,747.30 Solis Data Logging Stick - WiFi R 830.10 Max Watt input 1800 Max DC Volts input 600 Max Amps input 11 MPPT input 1 String input 1 Sub Total R 15,239.80 Brackets, cables, etc. (thumb suck) R 6,000.00 Total R 21,239.80
September 30, 20186 yr Author 21 minutes ago, Chris Hobson said: Why are you looking at a 3kW inverter and enough panels to power at least 15kWh? Hi Chris, I understand the 15kWh would be based on 5 hours of possible sunlight, but how would I ensure those potential 3kW spikes are allowed for? For instance if I eventually go for the 1.5kW inverter, which is rated at MAX output of 1.7kW, it would not handle a spike greater than 1.7kW?
September 30, 20186 yr 5 hours ago, Antony said: done Thanks so much Guys, Branden already replied on the weekend. I want you guys to know that I am so thankful for the support, I started this forum early 2013. I also want you guys to know that I don't want at all that PF has a monopoly over the other commercials members. The other members are very very welcome to post in the commercial section like we I have. I want everyone to have a fair chance and I will never block other commercial guys that want to to sign on and advertise. This is the vision. :>> Fairness, Combined Knowledge ! I will keep on keeping the forum sparkly clean to accommodate this. Sincerely Jason Back
September 30, 20186 yr Author 6 minutes ago, Energy said: Thanks so much Guys, Branden already replied on the weekend. I want you guys to know that I am so thankful for the support, I started this forum early 2013. I also want you guys to know that I don't want at all that PF has a monopoly over the other commercials members. The other members are very very welcome to post in the commercial section like we I have. I want everyone to have a fair chance and I will never block other commercial guys that want to to sign on and advertise. This is the vision. :>> Fairness, Combined Knowledge ! I will keep on keeping the forum sparkly clean to accommodate this. Sincerely Jason Back Hi Jason, I have not received anything from Branden as yet
September 30, 20186 yr Let me double check that right away. I just want to confirmed if he emailed you. Standby one sec. Sincerely Jay
September 30, 20186 yr Ah: Dear Anthony Sorry for my late reply. I will check in the morning and revert back to you as soon as possible. Have a great day Regards Branden
September 30, 20186 yr Author 2 minutes ago, Energy said: Ah: Dear Anthony Sorry for my late reply. I will check in the morning and revert back to you as soon as possible. Have a great day Regards Branden Thanks Branden, all good, I supposed only expecting a reply on Monday anyway. Its just that Jason said it was already already responded too, that got me checking.
September 30, 20186 yr 52 minutes ago, Antony said: I'm considering the Solis 1.5kW 4G Dual MPPT but will it be enough to start a 0.75kW pool pump Does not work like that, grid tied. In the most simplistic terms, ones I like: The pump runs off Eskom right, so no worries about spikes. The moment the pump starts, Solis sees with the CT that there is power being pulled from the Eskom side, so it adds whatever it can / is needed to the DB board. So instead of the power coming from Eskom, it comes from the solis. All because of the CT clamp measuring it all.
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