13 minutes ago, display_Name said:

Ok, so an update on my side. Contacted SolarMD. The Solis inverters don't communicate with the SolarMD batteries. They would need to measure voltage. Not ideal so I'm going to look at other options. Will revert with more in the next day or 3 after some more hunting around. 

I see online that Deye have a 6kW unit, but I don't see any suppliers here in South Africa. Their 5kW units only support 13A input current, where the Solis 6kW supports 16A.

I have some more homework and will revert once I've done this.

Would love to see when these arrive on the market. 18A input current on the 6kW: https://www.deyeinverter.com/product/hybrid-inverter-1/SUN3-6-5-6-7-6-8KSG05LP1EU-3-68kW-Single-Phase-2-MPPT-Hybrid-Inverter-LV-Battery-Supported-2344.html

In other news... https://mybroadband.co.za/news/energy/532079-solar-silicon-prices-plummet.html

Might help to start here.

Solis_Leaflet_Battery matching_S6-EH1P8K-L-PRO_V1,6_2024_03.pdf (solisinverters.com)

9 hours ago, display_Name said:

Ok, so an update on my side. Contacted SolarMD. The Solis inverters don't communicate with the SolarMD batteries. They would need to measure voltage. Not ideal so I'm going to look at other options. Will revert with more in the next day or 3 after some more hunting around. 

I see online that Deye have a 6kW unit, but I don't see any suppliers here in South Africa. Their 5kW units only support 13A input current, where the Solis 6kW supports 16A.

I have some more homework and will revert once I've done this.

Would love to see when these arrive on the market. 18A input current on the 6kW: https://www.deyeinverter.com/product/hybrid-inverter-1/SUN3-6-5-6-7-6-8KSG05LP1EU-3-68kW-Single-Phase-2-MPPT-Hybrid-Inverter-LV-Battery-Supported-2344.html

In other news... https://mybroadband.co.za/news/energy/532079-solar-silicon-prices-plummet.html

You have a few other options. Deye/Sunsynk/Luxpower LXP are 12 kW single phase units. I like the LXP which does use a CT. 

Have not confirmed that the battery mentioned is supported? 

Ok, I've been down a rabbit hole of looking at inverter options for the SolarMD. I'm struggling to like any of them. I mean, I really like the Sunsynk inverters, but that 13A input current has me concerned as it means I'm sitting with a smaller PV array size for a more expensive inverter (6500W vs 9600W). I'm also limited in panel size it seems.

Question time... let's assume I am looking at the Sunsynk inverters... if I am looking at panels that are 13.7A, and the Sunsynk MPPTs are 13A, does the inverter clip the remaining current or does this damage the inverter? And if it clips... how much efficiency does the panel loose? I called Sunsynk, and they didn't seem enthusiastic about running a 13.7A panel on the 5kW inverter... but the person I spoke to didn't sound super confident in their answers, so wondering if there is something I can read up about this.

I really don't like the other inverter options I've seen that support SolarMD (including Victron, which I though I was really going to like until I dug into the MPPT charger sizes, and there is something about having 5 different boxes sprayed all over my garage wall that I don't like instead of one inverter).

My next option was to actually consider other batteries, which I was really hoping not to do because I was set on SolarMD... being based here in Cape Town and all.

On 2024/04/11 at 10:24 AM, GreenFields said:

Might help to start here.

Solis_Leaflet_Battery matching_S6-EH1P8K-L-PRO_V1,6_2024_03.pdf (solisinverters.com)

I looked at this, and in there I see a Dyness battery which I can find locally. Does anyone have experience with Dyness? I see they are 6000 cycles as well. Are the CATL cells? Is there good local support in the event of an issue with the battery?

 

EDIT: Ok, so after some more searching around, and looking at some other battery providers, including Hubble and Volta, I'm thinking possibly the following:

2 x Dyness Powerbox Pro 10.24kWh
2 x Solis S6 Pro 6kW Advanced Hybrid Inverter
32 x Jinko Solar Panel Tiger 560W Mono-Facial

The Dyness batteries are only 0.5C, but I'm considering 1 per Solis Inverter, giving me a combines 10kW peak power from the batteries, which would be what I'd be getting from the SolarMD batteries, but I'd have 5kWh extra capacity. Solis has the Dyness Powerbox on it's support list, so that's a win at least.

What am I missing?

Edited April 13, 20242 yr by display_Name

@display_Name I would like to suggest having  a look at the DEYE 16kw, cost is around R42k so about the same price as your 2 x Solis 6kw inverters. 

Has 3 x MPPT's each supporting up to 26A with a Max Solar Power of 20800W

I have one and the thing is a beast, my pool 3kw pool heat pump turns on without missing a beat (wouldn't work with my 8kw Sunsynk) and my electric lawnmower also has absolutely no issues.  I regularly generate more than 15kw of solar power.

12 hours ago, display_Name said:

Ok, I've been down a rabbit hole of looking at inverter options for the SolarMD. I'm struggling to like any of them. I mean, I really like the Sunsynk inverters, but that 13A input current has me concerned as it means I'm sitting with a smaller PV array size for a more expensive inverter (6500W vs 9600W). I'm also limited in panel size it seems.

Question time... let's assume I am looking at the Sunsynk inverters... if I am looking at panels that are 13.7A, and the Sunsynk MPPTs are 13A, does the inverter clip the remaining current or does this damage the inverter? And if it clips... how much efficiency does the panel loose? I called Sunsynk, and they didn't seem enthusiastic about running a 13.7A panel on the 5kW inverter... but the person I spoke to didn't sound super confident in their answers, so wondering if there is something I can read up about this.

I really don't like the other inverter options I've seen that support SolarMD (including Victron, which I though I was really going to like until I dug into the MPPT charger sizes, and there is something about having 5 different boxes sprayed all over my garage wall that I don't like instead of one inverter).

My next option was to actually consider other batteries, which I was really hoping not to do because I was set on SolarMD... being based here in Cape Town and all.

I looked at this, and in there I see a Dyness battery which I can find locally. Does anyone have experience with Dyness? I see they are 6000 cycles as well. Are the CATL cells? Is there good local support in the event of an issue with the battery?

 

EDIT: Ok, so after some more searching around, and looking at some other battery providers, including Hubble and Volta, I'm thinking possibly the following:

2 x Dyness Powerbox Pro 10.24kWh
2 x Solis S6 Pro 6kW Advanced Hybrid Inverter
32 x Jinko Solar Panel Tiger 560W Mono-Facial

The Dyness batteries are only 0.5C, but I'm considering 1 per Solis Inverter, giving me a combines 10kW peak power from the batteries, which would be what I'd be getting from the SolarMD batteries, but I'd have 5kWh extra capacity. Solis has the Dyness Powerbox on it's support list, so that's a win at least.

What am I missing?

Are you going to run the 2 Inverters each on their own battery while the inverters are in parallel. Normally the master inverter controls the charging and talks to the slave while the batteries are in parallel. 

Using single 12kW inverters you are not limited to only 13A as indicated. This is only for the 5 kW Syns/Deye. 

The Luxpower LXP has 3 MPPTs and 1x25A PV and 2 x 15A from panels. Also 18 kW PV input for the 12 kW. 

Edited April 14, 20242 yr by Scorp007
Corrected error

@display_Name Would be very interesting to see how the strings compare

mppt1 -  East * 10 

mppt2  - West * 10 

mpp3 -  6 Panels East  + 6 Panels west 

                   or 

mppt1 - 5 East & 5 West

mppt2 - 5 East & 5 West

mppt - 6 East & 6 West 

 

@display_Name Sunsynk have a pretty good video on MPPT and over watting your inverter, according to the video there would be no issues as the inverter will only take what it can use i.e. 13A  

 

4 hours ago, Sc00bs said:

@display_Name I would like to suggest having  a look at the DEYE 16kw, cost is around R42k so about the same price as your 2 x Solis 6kw inverters. 

Has 3 x MPPT's each supporting up to 26A with a Max Solar Power of 20800W

I have one and the thing is a beast, my pool 3kw pool heat pump turns on without missing a beat (wouldn't work with my 8kw Sunsynk) and my electric lawnmower also has absolutely no issues.  I regularly generate more than 15kw of solar power.

I wasn't actually considering the larger inverters like this... but this actually makes sense if the cost is not that much more. I could I can just set the export limit to below 60A and use the rest. I am also keen to get a pool heater, so the excess would be useful. I see it has 2 battery inputs, so I can start with one SolarMD 14.2kWh battery and then add another as budget allows.

Some questions:

1. Can I ask what battery setup you have with yours?
2. Do you know where I'd find pricing at around 42K? Online I'm seeing closer to 54K, and I'm not seeing the 14kW Deye inverters that would also be just fine.
3. Looking at the MPPT / String layout, how would you max out the string setup? Would that be 8 panels per string, and 2 strings per MPPT, and 3 MPPTs = 48 panel max? How does it work... running a second string on the MPPT increases Amps but not Volts?

5 hours ago, Scorp007 said:

Are you going to run the 2 Inverters each on their own battery while the inverters are in parallel. Normally the master inverter controls the charging and talks to the slave while the batteries are in parallel. 

Using single 12kW inverters you are not limited to only 13A as indicated. This is only for the 5 kW Syns/Deye. 

The Luxpower LXP has 3 MPPTs and 1x25A PV and 2 x 15A from panels. Also 18 kW PV input for the 12 kW. 

I was thinking I could run one battery per inverter, but if that's not how it works, then I'm definitely tending to a larger inverter. I was looking at the Luxpower inverters, but that was before I was looking at the larger sizes. They look cool. They're also not on the compatibility list for the SolarMD batteries through.

So many options!

I'm going to play with the string setup assuming a 16kW Deye inverter as I know that's supported, then see what I end up with..

5 hours ago, Sc00bs said:

@display_Name Would be very interesting to see how the strings compare

mppt1 -  East * 10 

mppt2  - West * 10 

mpp3 -  6 Panels East  + 6 Panels west 

                   or 

mppt1 - 5 East & 5 West

mppt2 - 5 East & 5 West

mppt - 6 East & 6 West 

 

I'd definitely want to get the strings up higher so that they kick in earlier in the morning with that minimum voltage. Thinking I may consider maxxing out the array or going higher than 32 panels perhaps? I'm going to play with the string setup later and drop some thoughts back here

 

34 minutes ago, display_Name said:

Some questions:

I was thinking I could run one battery per inverter, but if that's not how it works... I was looking at the Luxpower inverters, but that was before I was looking at the larger sizes. They look cool. They're also not on the compatibility list for the SolarMD batteries through. 

I am not an installer but from manuals all makes that I have seen show the batteries in parallel and this supply also goes to all inverters running in parallel. 

Comms to battery also from the master to battery only. Then comms between all inverters. Then comms between all batteries. 

Edited April 14, 20242 yr by Scorp007

10 hours ago, Sc00bs said:

@display_Name I would like to suggest having  a look at the DEYE 16kw, cost is around R42k so about the same price as your 2 x Solis 6kw inverters. 

Has 3 x MPPT's each supporting up to 26A with a Max Solar Power of 20800W

I have one and the thing is a beast, my pool 3kw pool heat pump turns on without missing a beat (wouldn't work with my 8kw Sunsynk) and my electric lawnmower also has absolutely no issues.  I regularly generate more than 15kw of solar power.

Did you go for a 3-phase unit?

Ok, I'm actually really liking the Deye 16kWh setup. I think this is good enough to go with and I'm going to update actual quotes this week. I'm going to push up the panel count to 36 panels, getting me to 20kWp.

Assuming estimated pricing, payback period shifts to 3.9 years without installation. If I assume an installation cost of around R30k (not sure if that's high or low), then payback shifts to 4.5 years. Even if that shifts a few months more, that feels ok. The system would be earning about 21K a year post payback after covering consumption assuming Average Daily Peak Sun Hours of 3.8.

Another Question... this one feels a little theoretical... I'm thinking of setting up the panel layout like this:

MPPT1: 6 East & 6 West

MPPT2: 6 East & 6 West

MPPT3: 6 East & 6 West

Would it make any sense to push one MPPT higher than the others? so like... MPPT1 on 8+8 and MPPT 2 and MPPT 3 down to 5+5 ? Feels like that one may startup a fraction earlier in the morning, but I would imagine that having them balanced as equally as possible would reduce the amount of clipping at midday, which is a way better benefit?

Some interesting developments. I started reaching out to installers today. Spoke to one that seems pretty on it. 2 things that were interesting and I wanted to mention here:

1. I am apparently not allowed to install a 16kW inverter unless I first change my breaker to an 80A breaker from 60A. I'm not allowed to limit it on the inverter only apparently. So I need to change to a 12kW inverter. Do anyone here have any experience with needing to increate to 80 amps? I'm not keen to go through that mission, so will likely stick to 12kW.
2. I cannot split strings East and West. So there goes that plan.

1 hour ago, display_Name said:

Some interesting developments. I started reaching out to installers today. Spoke to one that seems pretty on it. 2 things that were interesting and I wanted to mention here:

1. I am apparently not allowed to install a 16kW inverter unless I first change my breaker to an 80A breaker from 60A. I'm not allowed to limit it on the inverter only apparently. So I need to change to a 12kW inverter. Do anyone here have any experience with needing to increate to 80 amps? I'm not keen to go through that mission, so will likely stick to 12kW.
2. I cannot split strings East and West. So there goes that plan.

Yes once you can export more than 60A as you plan to do your breaker must be able to allow it without tripping. In your case you exceed it. Even if you limit it on the inverter it just needs a tick and you can exceed the 60A.

Why can't you still use east and west? You just have to use a suitable inverter like the one I suggested with 3 MPPTs of which one is 25A or a 12kW Suns/Deye. 

The other point is you can reduce the panel size but so far I get the impression you don't want to? 

I belief one needs to marry the inverter with suitable panels. 

Also you seem to insist on using SolarMD batteries and not a brand that can talk to the inverter. 

Edited April 15, 20242 yr by Scorp007

This was a good read now for me: https://powerforum.co.za/topic/4468-upgrade-60a-to-80a-in-coct/

Then on the East / West thing... I was under the impression that each MPPT could split its strings east and west. The installer said that you can't do that, and need to keep strings on the MPPT facing the same direction. I've read articles that contradict that online, as well as people that support it. Either way it doesn't really matter for me, as I'm going to have a smaller array due to the inverter change, meaning I can layout the strings differently.

On the inverter and battery side... I've flipped to a Sunsynk Inverter, which is compatible with SolarMDs. Looked at other batteries... but SolarMD just seems to be such good value. I was considering Sunsynk batteries earlier today because of the additional warranty, but the cost difference between those and the SolarMDs is almost half the cost of the inverter anyhow.

On Panel Size... Perhaps the Jinko 440W Panels:

I tried with some 440W panels earlier. Allows me to get into Portrait layout as well.

New Layout would look something like this (15.8kWp):

	MPPT1		MPPT2		MPPT3
	String 1	String 2	String 1	String 2	String 1	String 2	Totals
Panels	9	0	9	0	9	9	36
Voc	371.2904	0	371.2904	0	371.2904	371.2904	1485.162
Watts	3960	0	3960	0	3960	3960	15840

 

When I set out on this path, I had no idea I'd be flipping through this many options within a week.

Downside of not being able to push up the PV array size any higher is that my overall payback calcs have worsened to 5 years on the dot now when my initial more uninformed path had me at 3.9 years. Not great, but not terrible, and a lower initial cash outlay.

Appreciate all the feedback here. I have learned so much lately.

Edited April 15, 20242 yr by display_Name

Ok, I've briefed two installers and am getting quotes from them for the installation. They going to quote on product as well and if it works out the same as the other quotes or close, I'm happy to give the business.

However, earthing has confused me. One installer says that the system needs to be separately earthed. This was my understanding watching some videos online. The other installer says that they can connect to the normal mains earth. Which one is it please? Sounds like a pretty fundamental thing.

Edit: I've been trying to read some other posts (https://powerforum.co.za/topic/19861-inverter-neutral-earth-bonding/), but don't fully understand Neutral / Earth bonding or even if that's the relevant term

Edit 2: Reading online, it sounds like it's a no brainer to use a separate grounding rod and not the mains ground.

Edited April 16, 20242 yr by display_Name

3 hours ago, display_Name said:

Ok, I've briefed two installers and am getting quotes from them for the installation. They going to quote on product as well and if it works out the same as the other quotes or close, I'm happy to give the business.

However, earthing has confused me. One installer says that the system needs to be separately earthed. This was my understanding watching some videos online. The other installer says that they can connect to the normal mains earth. Which one is it please? Sounds like a pretty fundamental thing.

Edit: I've been trying to read some other posts (https://powerforum.co.za/topic/19861-inverter-neutral-earth-bonding/), but don't fully understand Neutral / Earth bonding or even if that's the relevant term

Edit 2: Reading online, it sounds like it's a no brainer to use a separate grounding rod and not the mains ground.

You could easily have your grounding rod not connecting to the earth mass without knowing it. It can also rust and mean nothing. The supply earth should be used but combine it with your earth rod would be my call. I might be wrong. 

6 hours ago, display_Name said:

Ok, I've briefed two installers and am getting quotes from them for the installation. They going to quote on product as well and if it works out the same as the other quotes or close, I'm happy to give the business.

However, earthing has confused me. One installer says that the system needs to be separately earthed. This was my understanding watching some videos online. The other installer says that they can connect to the normal mains earth. Which one is it please? Sounds like a pretty fundamental thing.

Edit: I've been trying to read some other posts (https://powerforum.co.za/topic/19861-inverter-neutral-earth-bonding/), but don't fully understand Neutral / Earth bonding or even if that's the relevant term

Edit 2: Reading online, it sounds like it's a no brainer to use a separate grounding rod and not the mains ground.

Yes @Scorp007is correct, SANS NRS 97-2-1 regulations clearly specify when Earth spikes is used that the earth spike should be connected to the Eskom Earth with at least half the cross section of the supply cable conductors which is normally 16mm² so i use 10mm² connected from earth spike to Eskom Earth.(Incoming main earth)

Where confusion comes in on seperate earth between AC and DC is where functional earhing is used. Functional earthing is when one of the dc legs(+or-) is earthed then the earth spike must not be connected to the Eskom earth. Floating dc is the preferred method (no earthing of the dc legs).The metallic part of the solar panels  and battery metallic enclosure must be earth to a earth spike interconnected to Eskom earth.

Edited April 16, 20242 yr by TaliaB

9 hours ago, TaliaB said:

Functional earthing is when one of the dc legs(+or-) is earthed then the earth spike must not be connected to the Eskom earth. Floating dc is the preferred method (no earthing of the dc legs).The metallic part of the solar panels  and battery metallic enclosure must be earth to a earth spike interconnected to Eskom earth.

Thanks for all the replies here, I've been down another rabbit hole of reading and have a much better idea of grounding for the different types of inverters, Neutral Earth bonding etc.

So the way to do this for the panel frames and and battery enclosure is to add an earth spike, and that earth spike must also be connected to the Eskom Earth?

Next question... more around Amps.

I'm looking at the 12kW Sunskynk single phase: SUNSYNK-12K-SG02LP1

It's got a 26A input current ( I assume that's 13A per string). If I am looking at panels at are rated a little higher than 13A (e.g. https://www.inverter-warehouse.co.za/collections/solar-panels-1/products/jinko-solar-panel-tiger-n-type-440w-neo with an Imp of 13.41A). The idea would be to run MPPT3 with 2 strings, but that would be higher than 26A. Would this:

1. Be a problem for the inverter?
2. Void the warranty on the inverter for running over current?

The alternative is to switch to Canadian solar maybe that run a lower current. 

2 hours ago, display_Name said:

Next question... more around Amps.

I'm looking at the 12kW Sunskynk single phase: SUNSYNK-12K-SG02LP1

It's got a 26A input current ( I assume that's 13A per string). If I am looking at panels at are rated a little higher than 13A (e.g. https://www.inverter-warehouse.co.za/collections/solar-panels-1/products/jinko-solar-panel-tiger-n-type-440w-neo with an Imp of 13.41A). The idea would be to run MPPT3 with 2 strings, but that would be higher than 26A. Would this:

1. Be a problem for the inverter?
2. Void the warranty on the inverter for running over current?

The alternative is to switch to Canadian solar maybe that run a lower current. 

If you look at the specs the MPPTs can produce 26A but as long as the 2 strings in parallel do not exceed 44A then its fine. Thus per single string you can use up to Isc=22A so no problem using the panels you intent using. May be for future reference post the PV section specs on this topic. Not many sellers show the specs for the new single phase. The 3 phase is more reasily available.

You might be interested in this reply on another topic why it is not good to run MPPTs clipping all the time. Although mentioned in relation to the Luxpower now accepting 17A per MPPT on their 5 kW SNA model.

The main issue was the MPPT clipping at 13A causing overheating of the IGBTs and possible failure of the MPPT. The hardware was updated some time ago (after serial no 133....), but now with the software also updated is it not clipping at 13A. So now it can support larger panels / higher current panels.

Edited April 17, 20242 yr by Scorp007

3 hours ago, Scorp007 said:

If you look at the specs the MPPTs can produce 26A but as long as the 2 strings in parallel do not exceed 44A then its fine. Thus per single string you can use up to Isc=22A so no problem using the panels you intent using. May be for future reference post the PV section specs on this topic. Not many sellers show the specs for the new single phase. The 3 phase is more reasily available.

You might be interested in this reply on another topic why it is not good to run MPPTs clipping all the time. Although mentioned in relation to the Luxpower now accepting 17A per MPPT on their 5 kW SNA model.

The main issue was the MPPT clipping at 13A causing overheating of the IGBTs and possible failure of the MPPT. The hardware was updated some time ago (after serial no 133....), but now with the software also updated is it not clipping at 13A. So now it can support larger panels / higher current panels.

Ok, this makes a lot more sense, appreciate it. So if I understand it, the MPPT will basically ignore everything above 26A, to a point (22A per string, or 44A for the MPPT, at which point it's a real problem). So a minor bit over shouldn't be an issue. Do the Amps reach max pretty easily, or is it a thing where they really only reach max in the right orientation? If I look at the PV graphs I see online, those are graphs of watts (Power), but W = V x I, so are both V and I increasing through the morning, or is the one pretty much at Max in the morning and the other one increases over the day? Not sure if the question makes sense.

 

EDIT: Sunsynk confirmed it as well: "As long as the max PV Isc. (44A+44A+44A) is not surpassed there shouldn't be any issues."

Thanks Scorp007

Edited April 17, 20242 yr by display_Name

3 hours ago, display_Name said:

Ok, this makes a lot more sense, appreciate it. So if I understand it, the MPPT will basically ignore everything above 26A, to a point (22A per string, or 44A for the MPPT, at which point it's a real problem). So a minor bit over shouldn't be an issue. Do the Amps reach max pretty easily, or is it a thing where they really only reach max in the right orientation? If I look at the PV graphs I see online, those are graphs of watts (Power), but W = V x I, so are both V and I increasing through the morning, or is the one pretty much at Max in the morning and the other one increases over the day? Not sure if the question makes sense.

 

EDIT: Sunsynk confirmed it as well: "As long as the max PV Isc. (44A+44A+44A) is not surpassed there shouldn't be any issues."

Thanks Scorp007

The voltage does not really increase much during the day. As long as there is strong light like even on a cloudy day the volts will still be high. With shade and clouds it is the amps that cannot be generated by each cell. 

As mentioned before you will see on the panel specs at what irradiation the panel output is given. It is under an ideal 1000W/m². The average during summer in Gauteng is around 800W/m². However when there is cloud edge you might even exceed 1000 but only for seconds. This is part due to panels cooling down during the period when the sun is behind a cloud and also increased irradiation. 

For 13A panels (Imp) you are lucky if you see more than about 11.5A. 

25 minutes ago, Scorp007 said:

For 13A panels (Imp) you are lucky if you see more than about 11.5A. 

In theory around noon in peak summer in CT. But with a East-West split I'm not so sure. The absolute peak output is less than on North-facing panels.

On 2024/04/14 at 2:56 PM, display_Name said:

I wasn't actually considering the larger inverters like this... but this actually makes sense if the cost is not that much more. I could I can just set the export limit to below 60A and use the rest. I am also keen to get a pool heater, so the excess would be useful. I see it has 2 battery inputs, so I can start with one SolarMD 14.2kWh battery and then add another as budget allows.

Some questions:

1. Can I ask what battery setup you have with yours?
2. Do you know where I'd find pricing at around 42K? Online I'm seeing closer to 54K, and I'm not seeing the 14kW Deye inverters that would also be just fine.
3. Looking at the MPPT / String layout, how would you max out the string setup? Would that be 8 panels per string, and 2 strings per MPPT, and 3 MPPTs = 48 panel max? How does it work... running a second string on the MPPT increases Amps but not Volts?

I have a pool heater for my excess power :-) 

I am currently running 4 x 6.4kw BSL Batteries, the current to them in/out is limited to a max of 160A (+-8kw) purely because of the cabling. 

Apologies on the pricing, I went and had a look at the results when I googled it for the latest pricing and that site definitely looks like a scam site. Going price does seem to be around R54k

I currently have 3 strings on my inverter 

MPPT1 - West Facing 16 x 455W JA Solar in 2P8S configuration  Max Amperage 24.1A (Isc 10.56A) 7,255w (7280W of panels)

MPPT2 - East Facing 12 x 455W JA Solar in 2S6P configuration Max Amperage 23.7A (Isc 10.56A) 5,522w (5460W of panels)

MPPT3 - North Facing 8 x 555W Jinko Solar  (will probably upgrade to 10)  Max Amperage seen 16.5A (Isc 14.07A) 5,048w (4440w of panels) 

I have read documents on the mixing of a parallel string between East & West facing panels, so in a 16 panel 2S8P config, one of the halves facing East and one facing West. It is not first prize and can be done, I would suggest running one MPPT only facing East, One facing only West and the split the last one between East/West and see how it compares in production, would be super interesting.   

 

Another thing for you to consider 🙂 

I did notice in my investigations that there is also a High Voltage 20kw 3-phase DEYE for R48k from Solar Warehouse. 

 

It has 2 x MPPT's but supports up to 850V per string so you could run 16 panels on one MPPT East Facing  and 16 panels on the West Facing MPPT

You will need high voltage batteries but High Voltage is definitely the way things are going so would be worth looking at.