Requirement advice

I think start small
Futureproof the system

Get a Hybrid Inverter installed (8KVA) that is upgradable by adding another in parallel if needed

Either install 1 battery for now so that at least you can keep the lights on during loadshedding

Add solar panels later
Add additional battery later
 
Pineapple Smurf said:
I think start small
Futureproof the system

Get a Hybrid Inverter installed (8KVA) that is upgradable by adding another in parallel if needed

Either install 1 battery for now so that at least you can keep the lights on during loadshedding

Add solar panels later
Add additional battery later
Click to expand...

how much would i be saving on eksom bill if i had to prettu much everything solar except for geyser and pool pump

now some people also said i can heat the geyser and run the pool pump with the sun during the day so i can save more
 
I.am.Sam said:
how much would i be saving on eksom bill if i had to prettu much everything solar except for geyser and pool pump

now some people also said i can heat the geyser and run the pool pump with the sun during the day so i can save more
Click to expand...
You can run the Pool Pump off Solar/Battery (just ensure it's on a timer), and the Inverter will even feed the Non-Essential Geyser if Eskom is available and there is excess Solar Energy (it basically "reverse" feeds via the Mains feed, quite a clever device).

The cost savings are immediate with Solar.

As Papa-Smurf said, you need to do an audit, but it's a bit of a dynamic thing, because your habits change when you install a system, but at least understand your base load first.
 
Pineapple Smurf said:
Add solar panels later
Click to expand...
Just keep in mind the panels are but a portion of the cost, the brackets, DC cable and Isolation are a fair chunk of the cost. Not a bad idea to take the hit now with only 4 panels, and then add more panels later, since the wiring is already in place.
Pineapple Smurf said:
Add additional battery later
Click to expand...
Not always a good idea mixing old and new batteries
 
The_MAC said:
You can run the Pool Pump off Solar/Battery (just ensure it's on a timer), and the Inverter will even feed the Non-Essential Geyser if Eskom is available and there is excess Solar Energy (it basically "reverse" feeds via the Mains feed, quite a clever device).

The cost savings are immediate with Solar.

As Papa-Smurf said, you need to do an audit, but it's a bit of a dynamic thing, because your habits change when you install a system, but at least understand your base load first.
Click to expand...

what you mean habits change ?
Mike Hoxbig said:
Isn't there an option to save for part of it and pay the rest through your bond.

If you're a lot of spending money, you should do it properly. 8 kW inverter, 2 x 5 kWh batteries and 6 kWp worth of panels for a start. You can expand on that later depending on how much you use.

Would you spend R130k on a Tata when you could get a BMW for R200k...
Click to expand...

im not sure but i do have access to extra money from my bond so thats why im checking what i can do
 
The_MAC said:
Just keep in mind the panels are but a portion of the cost, the brackets, DC cable and Isolation are a fair chunk of the cost. Not a bad idea to take the hit now with only 4 panels, and then add more panels later, since the wiring is already in place.

Not always a good idea mixing old and new batteries
Click to expand...

how does it work when you have a 8kw with 10kw batteries ..what is the extra 2kw or so
 
I.am.Sam said:
how does it work when you have a 8kw with 10kw batteries ..what is the extra 2kw or so
Click to expand...
kW is load, kWh is storage.

8 kW is how much load you can use at once. Geyser (3 kW) + microwave (1 kW) + oven (2 kW) + kettle (2 kW) on at the same time is a load of 8 kW. This would trip a 5 kW inverter.

10 kWh of battery storage is how much energy is stored. You can run a load of 1 kW for 10 hours, or 2 kW for 5 hours etc...
 
I.am.Sam said:
to add we also work from home so its 2 laptops connected all the time but tv and stuff doesnt go on until lities come home
Click to expand...
Let me give you an idea:
I have:
3 Fridges
2 Chest Freezers
1 Deep Freezer
1 Microwave
1 Electric Oven (Gas hob)
1 12000 BTU Aircon
1.5KW Pressure Pump
2.2 KW Borehole Pump
2 x Geysers (On timers)

I tested one day - Switched the oven on, microwave, aircon and the kettle (Which i've taken out - boil on gas)
The 12 panels managed everything. Was like 4.5KW being drawn.
 
HunterNW said:
Let me give you an idea:
I have:
3 Fridges
2 Chest Freezers
1 Deep Freezer
1 Microwave
1 Electric Oven (Gas hob)
1 12000 BTU Aircon
1.5KW Pressure Pump
2.2 KW Borehole Pump
2 x Geysers (On timers)

I tested one day - Switched the oven on, microwave, aircon and the kettle (Which i've taken out - boil on gas)
The 12 panels managed everything. Was like 4.5KW being drawn.
Click to expand...

what was your electricity bill and whats it now
 
You wanna cut running costs?

I think start with a Hybrid inverter and install 3000 watts of solar panels as a start
This will offset 3 units of electricity per hour
If your demand is that high during the day
Do all the high loads in the day
Run the geyser
Run pool pump
Do laundry
Cook
etc

At night run the minimum
LED lights
etc

But remember during load shedding you won't have any power at all

(afaik this would be a grid tied system)
 
I.am.Sam said:
what was your electricity bill and whats it now
Click to expand...
MMM...... About..... MMM.... I have pre paid, so bought when the meter is empty. About R2K a month ?
Is about half that now. Problem is electricity when the sun is going down - 10KwH battery storage don't last untill the sun is out.
 
HunterNW said:
MMM...... About..... MMM.... I have pre paid, so bought when the meter is empty. About R2K a month ?
Is about half that now. Problem is electricity when the sun is going down - 10KwH battery storage don't last untill the sun is out.
Click to expand...
Replace the kettle with a gas one
 
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