Assessing my current usage and a phased approach

[PlanB]

I've been lurking in the shadows and posted once or twice, a while ago. Now I'm again considdering to do a Hybrid (Grid tied) installation. 

How do I calculate my current usage? Is there a device that I can connect to my Db that will show a graph of the day and how my household used electricity?

I presume I can go to each known devices and add all the watts, but I might miss something. To have an actual reading through the day with a graph , over a whole week wil show true usage.

 

Should I considder a Phased approach

Is it worth the effort to first do an install without the PV pannels and set it up like a UPS and then later add the PV pannels , or should one just bite the bullet and do the complete setup and get it done with? 

So too with the batteries, one can go for the Pylontech straight away or first go for cheaper options

The Victron devices seems to be the best, but are pricy. Is it worth getting a interim charger/converter and then to upgrade to a Victron later.

In other words.. Should/Would one have a phased approach regarding the complete solution as well as the components , or is that just a waste of time and money ?

Would it be better to have a solution designed and financed and installed ?

 

 

[phil.g00]

51 minutes ago, PlanB said:

I've been lurking in the shadows and posted once or twice, a while ago. Now I'm again considdering to do a Hybrid (Grid tied) installation. 

How do I calculate my current usage? Is there a device that I can connect to my Db that will show a graph of the day and how my household used electricity?

I presume I can go to each known devices and add all the watts, but I might miss something. To have an actual reading through the day with a graph , over a whole week wil show true usage.

I suppose there are any number of devices capable of this, but it may be moot, if regulations dictate that the biggest system you are allowed is too small anyway.

Individual measurements are useful to discover your power guzzlers.

Reducing power usage is the first step.

51 minutes ago, PlanB said:

Should I considder a Phased approach

Is it worth the effort to first do an install without the PV pannels and set it up like a UPS and then later add the PV pannels , or should one just bite the bullet and do the complete setup and get it done with? 

So too with the batteries, one can go for the Pylontech straight away or first go for cheaper options

The Victron devices seems to be the best, but are pricy. Is it worth getting a interim charger/converter and then to upgrade to a Victron later.

In other words.. Should/Would one have a phased approach regarding the complete solution as well as the components , or is that just a waste of time and money ?

Would it be better to have a solution designed and financed and installed ?

ESKOM is adopting a new load-shedding approach, which they have stated will last eighteen months.

Which means five years. (Formula = times 2 add 1 and allow)

I'd be inclined to pull the trigger now, rather than just be ready to cope with load-shedding just about the time it is due to stop.

The Victron system is good, having inherited the "cheap and nasty" initially, I wouldn't go back. There may be other good brands, but I can personally vouch for Victron.

I consider solar panels to be cheap and a great investment that starts paying for itself from day one and carries on for 20 years +.

On the other hand, I think batteries are a hole in the pocket, but a necessary evil.

All aspects of batteries are often debated on this forum.

My opinion is, if I was intending to eventually go off grid, I'd go lithium from the outset, if not I think I'd go for a 48V bank of SAGM 06 375 Trojans and try and get 8 years out of them.

 

 

Edited February 17, 2020 by phil.g00