A noobs Solar Journey

[William1102]

Hi Guys

Finally after a long search we are finally moving to a new house and are planning to install a solar setup as well as a jojo tank system with a pump

In Durban so we have our power cuts and loadshedding as well as water issues so would like to be able to be not as reliant on the grid and water supply if it’s down

I do have quite limited knowledge on these areas and would like some advise from the experts here and especially as these companies can try and trick the inexperienced people

Any people in Durban have some installers they could recommend as well ?


Power requirements
Geysers
Aircons (2-3 wall units )
As well as a duct aircon unit that is already in serves 5 rooms (not sure on power needs for this )
Water pump for Jojo tanks
And the rest a usual household will need such as TVs, kitchen appliances such as kettle , Airfryer , rarely oven , lights
Aircons will only be used at night * and rarely during the day which solar should cover

My solar solution would have been :
8 or 12kw Sunsynk Inverter
3 x 10kwh Sunsynk Lithium Batteries
16 x 555w panels

Not trying to go off grid but would like to rely on Eskom or a generator in case of an emergency only

As well as the cost of keeping Eskom , would it not be cheaper to move to prepaid electricity and just buy electricity when needed or keep it topped up to bypass the fees ?

*Certain elements I am not sure on such as the consumption of the duct aircon and how many geysers are in the house or what elements are installed . Will receive the bill from the current owner soon


Thanks really appreciate the advice here

 

[Ojcd45]

Having been through many incompetent installers (despite being so called Sunsynk master installers, which means nothing to me now, dangerous installs despite a CoC etc), I would strongly suggest these guys in durban.
Very thorough, neat and excellent workmanship and work ethics, on time, and most importantly, are master electricians as well as solar installers.

Arrange a site visit with Ricardo.

Google Search

Wire2Wire

Wire2Wire. 648 likes · 2 talking about this. An electrical company based in Durban, South Africa.

www.facebook.com

 

[RonSwanson]

Give Powerforumstore a call.

Power Forum Renewable & Solar Energy Store South Africa

Shop for solar systems and solar energy products online in South Africa, Power Forum Renewable Energy Store offers off grid solar systems, batteries, inverters, and more at highly competitive prices. Click Us Now!

powerforum-store.co.za

 

[William1102]

Give Powerforumstore a call.

Power Forum Renewable & Solar Energy Store South Africa

Shop for solar systems and solar energy products online in South Africa, Power Forum Renewable Energy Store offers off grid solar systems, batteries, inverters, and more at highly competitive prices. Click Us Now!

powerforum-store.co.za

I see they are based in the Paarl , I’m in Durban would they even assist ?

 

[William1102]

Having been through many incompetent installers (despite being so called Sunsynk master installers, which means nothing to me now, dangerous installs despite a CoC etc), I would strongly suggest these guys in durban.
Very thorough, neat and excellent workmanship and work ethics, on time, and most importantly, are master electricians as well as solar installers.

Arrange a site visit with Ricardo.

Google Search

Wire2Wire

Wire2Wire. 648 likes · 2 talking about this. An electrical company based in Durban, South Africa.

www.facebook.com

Will check them out

 

[RonSwanson]

I see they are based in the Paarl , I’m in Durban would they even assist ?

Of course, they are all over. Steve actually operates out of a small hamlet in KZN. That also know the best installers wherever you are.

 

[William1102]

Of course, they are all over. Steve actually operates out of a small hamlet in KZN. That also know the best installers wherever you are.

Perfect, Thanks @RonSwanson , will contact him today, see he is recommended in other threads did not know he was in KZN as well.

Also, do I just use the 021 contact number on the website or email sales ? or is there alternate contact info?

 

[rh1]

Perfect, Thanks @RonSwanson , will contact him today, see he is recommended in other threads did not know he was in KZN as well.

Also, do I just use the 021 contact number on the website or email sales ? or is there alternate contact info?

Email works. Steve will call you and take it from there.

 

[RonSwanson]

Perfect, Thanks @RonSwanson , will contact him today, see he is recommended in other threads did not know he was in KZN as well.

Also, do I just use the 021 contact number on the website or email sales ? or is there alternate contact info?

Best to do both, email the detailed requirement and follow up with a call.

 

[JoE]

I've done both in the past year so I can share my experience with you if you have any questions. I'm also from Durbs

 

[William1102]

Best to do both, email the detailed requirement and follow up with a call.

Thanks will do

 

[William1102]

I've done both in the past year so I can share my experience with you if you have any questions. I'm also from Durbs

Hey @JoE, would like to hear your experience and if you know of installers for solar and jojo tanks

Regarding questions for solar its just what equipment would I need to take care of my power requirements, costs , prepaid electricity

For the water situation, what is your solution ?

 

[William1102]

Having been through many incompetent installers (despite being so called Sunsynk master installers, which means nothing to me now, dangerous installs despite a CoC etc), I would strongly suggest these guys in durban.
Very thorough, neat and excellent workmanship and work ethics, on time, and most importantly, are master electricians as well as solar installers.

Arrange a site visit with Ricardo.

Google Search

Wire2Wire

Wire2Wire. 648 likes · 2 talking about this. An electrical company based in Durban, South Africa.

www.facebook.com

Site visit won't work as I have not got the property in my possession yet

 

[JoE]

The water is easy, I got a jojo plumbed in line with the municipal system that gives me 4 days of backup water at my normal use. I can stretch that by a few days if I manage our usage during that time. I am drinking water out my taps so it was fairly inexpensive otherwise you can get a filtration system (3 stage with a uv light). I got a 2,400l jojo with a 1,1kw pump that only works when the main line pressure drops and you using water so ideal for inverter. If you have a few extra bucks a VSD pump is the perfect solution but my budget didn't allow me the extra at the time. You can supplement this with another jojo for rain water harvesting and replumb that water to use for bathrooms and toilets.

The solar system requires a change in mindset and going off the grid is not worth it right now but you can get close if you manage yourself (and the family) with your spec. If you can, get the 12kw inverter over the 8kw. I have a 8kw sunsynk inverter with 10kw battery backup and 14 550w panels. During the day everything runs for free (unless its cloudy) and at night I manage the use of my battery so that I have enough juice at certain parts of the evening to get me through till the morning. I have realised that I need an additional battery for peace of mind and I plan on getting that at some point during the year.

Appliances like Aircons, Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers (1-1.5kw/h), Stove, Oven, Kettle and Microwaves (2-3kw/h per appliance) are not your friend and running them off battery will kill your system very quickly. I connected my Geyser (2-3kw/h) and Pool Pump (1kw/h) via auxillary (extra cost) but that allows me to run those off the inverter should I want to and they automatically cut off once my battery depletes below a certain amount. My aircons I run for 2 hours at night and I've got standing fans to recirculate the air thereafter but some Durban nights you need the ac on all the time and will have to manage your battery load accordingly to prevent any issues.

 

[William1102]

The water is easy, I got a jojo plumbed in line with the municipal system that gives me 4 days of backup water at my normal use. I can stretch that by a few days if I manage our usage during that time. I am drinking water out my taps so it was fairly inexpensive otherwise you can get a filtration system (3 stage with a uv light). I got a 2,400l jojo with a 1,1kw pump that only works when the main line pressure drops and you using water so ideal for inverter. If you have a few extra bucks a VSD pump is the perfect solution but my budget didn't allow me the extra at the time. You can supplement this with another jojo for rain water harvesting and replumb that water to use for bathrooms and toilets.

The solar system requires a change in mindset and going off the grid is not worth it right now but you can get close if you manage yourself (and the family) with your spec. If you can, get the 12kw inverter over the 8kw. I have a 8kw sunsynk inverter with 10kw battery backup and 14 550w panels. During the day everything runs for free (unless its cloudy) and at night I manage the use of my battery so that I have enough juice at certain parts of the evening to get me through till the morning. I have realised that I need an additional battery for peace of mind and I plan on getting that at some point during the year.

Appliances like Aircons, Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers (1-1.5kw/h), Stove, Oven, Kettle and Microwaves (2-3kw/h per appliance) are not your friend and running them off battery will kill your system very quickly. I connected my Geyser (2-3kw/h) and Pool Pump (1kw/h) via auxillary (extra cost) but that allows me to run those off the inverter should I want to and they automatically cut off once my battery depletes below a certain amount. My aircons I run for 2 hours at night and I've got standing fans to recirculate the air thereafter but some Durban nights you need the ac on all the time and will have to manage your battery load accordingly to prevent any issues.

Thanks for the reply

With the water, We currently buy purified water so will need the filters, family of 5 so would need a big one such as 3000l ? or more ?, what is best running of the jojo and pump 24/7 even while municipal is on or running only when municipal is off?

With regards to the solar, budget can allow for a increase in inverter size and or batteries or panels as when I planned originally I went with 30Kw of battery storage (3 x 10kw) as I would also like to have a good amount of battery if eskom goes off for days on end or if sun is not out. With regard to off grid, not trying to be entirely off grid but say 90% would like to rely on the solar

Also in Durban, is it better to go on Prepaid to cut the eskom fees ?

With regard to aircons, we use ours 6-8 hours at night

Currently at home we use +-1000 units a month but our house is smaller than the one will be moving to

Oven use is very rare as we would use gas and the airfryer more and kettle and microwave

Would prefer to put the geyser on solar or on a timer for morning and evening if possible just for bathing to conserve battery, not sure what is best to manage the geyser use

Appreciate the feedback

 

[William1102]

The water is easy, I got a jojo plumbed in line with the municipal system that gives me 4 days of backup water at my normal use. I can stretch that by a few days if I manage our usage during that time. I am drinking water out my taps so it was fairly inexpensive otherwise you can get a filtration system (3 stage with a uv light). I got a 2,400l jojo with a 1,1kw pump that only works when the main line pressure drops and you using water so ideal for inverter. If you have a few extra bucks a VSD pump is the perfect solution but my budget didn't allow me the extra at the time. You can supplement this with another jojo for rain water harvesting and replumb that water to use for bathrooms and toilets.

The solar system requires a change in mindset and going off the grid is not worth it right now but you can get close if you manage yourself (and the family) with your spec. If you can, get the 12kw inverter over the 8kw. I have a 8kw sunsynk inverter with 10kw battery backup and 14 550w panels. During the day everything runs for free (unless its cloudy) and at night I manage the use of my battery so that I have enough juice at certain parts of the evening to get me through till the morning. I have realised that I need an additional battery for peace of mind and I plan on getting that at some point during the year.

Appliances like Aircons, Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers (1-1.5kw/h), Stove, Oven, Kettle and Microwaves (2-3kw/h per appliance) are not your friend and running them off battery will kill your system very quickly. I connected my Geyser (2-3kw/h) and Pool Pump (1kw/h) via auxillary (extra cost) but that allows me to run those off the inverter should I want to and they automatically cut off once my battery depletes below a certain amount. My aircons I run for 2 hours at night and I've got standing fans to recirculate the air thereafter but some Durban nights you need the ac on all the time and will have to manage your battery load accordingly to prevent any issues.

Also regarding the jojo tanks, which installer did you go with and would you recommend them ?

 

[rh1]

Thanks for the reply

With the water, We currently buy purified water so will need the filters, family of 5 so would need a big one such as 3000l ? or more ?, what is best running of the jojo and pump 24/7 even while municipal is on or running only when municipal is off?

With regards to the solar, budget can allow for a increase in inverter size and or batteries or panels as when I planned originally I went with 30Kw of battery storage (3 x 10kw) as I would also like to have a good amount of battery if eskom goes off for days on end or if sun is not out. With regard to off grid, not trying to be entirely off grid but say 90% would like to rely on the solar

Also in Durban, is it better to go on Prepaid to cut the eskom fees ?

With regard to aircons, we use ours 6-8 hours at night

Currently at home we use +-1000 units a month but our house is smaller than the one will be moving to

Oven use is very rare as we would use gas and the airfryer more and kettle and microwave

Would prefer to put the geyser on solar or on a timer for morning and evening if possible just for bathing to conserve battery, not sure what is best to manage the geyser use

Appreciate the feedback

Water tanks will be determine how much you can store, i.e. I have 4 x 1890litre tanks. Cannot really have more tanks on my property.

Water replenishement:
1. Borehole (very expensive, only if water is more than 10 metres underground)
2. Wellpoint (inexpensive, where water is less than 10 metres underground
3. Rain water (depends on the rainfall in your area, whether it is viable for long term) requires the most storage.
4. Municipality.

1-3 will require some form of filtration/treatment. Remember standing water is more riskier than flowing water.

Water filtration
Basic filtration to reverse osmosis and UV

1. I currently only use my wellpoint water for iirigation and laundry. To filter out some sediment I use those 150micron inline filters they sell at the irrigation part of the hardware store.

2. Long term I will be going full RO and UV and will plumb into the house. Legally, non municipal water cannot mix with municipal water. So you have to have system to prevent the water feeding into the municipal supply.

 

[William1102]

Water tanks will be determine how much you can store, i.e. I have 4 x 1890litre tanks. Cannot really have more tanks on my property.

Water replenishement:
1. Borehole (very expensive, only if water is more than 10 metres underground)
2. Wellpoint (inexpensive, where water is less than 10 metres underground
3. Rain water (depends on the rainfall in your area, whether it is viable for long term) requires the most storage.
4. Municipality.

1-3 will require some form of filtration/treatment. Remember standing water is more riskier than flowing water.

Water filtration
Basic filtration to reverse osmosis and UV

1. I currently only use my wellpoint water for iirigation and laundry. To filter out some sediment I use those 150micron inline filters they sell at the irrigation part of the hardware store.

2. Long term I will be going full RO and UV and will plumb into the house. Legally, non municipal water cannot mix with municipal water. So you have to have system to prevent the water feeding into the municipal supply.

I see , would most likely just use municipal water paired with a filter regarding sitting water is there anyway to mitigate this risk?

Will use a reverse osmosis filter as we drink that water via checkers but just need filtered water from muni

Rain water will probably have a small tank just for toilets and watering of garden (2000l ior smaller)

Muni maybe a 5000l (Family of 5 ) this will be used for bathing and drinking as well as washing of clothes

Did not know about a wellpoint ? how does one do this

In Durban, if you are can you recommend any installers for this

Thanks @rh1

 

[William1102]

Really appreciate all the feedback, have limited knowledge but keen to learn and implement a solution from this as there has been so many water and power outages and it just is required at this point

The goal here is to be able to be okay while say power or water is down and not feel the impact

 

[rh1]

I see , would most likely just use municipal water paired with a filter regarding sitting water is there anyway to mitigate this risk?

The biggest risk here is bacteria, since there should not be foreign contaminents, so an UV light may be sufficient. If you dont trust Durban water to free from foreign matter, then you must filter.

Will use a reverse osmosis filter as we drink that water via checkers but just need filtered water from muni

I have a small RO system under my island counter tap. It filters muni water for drinkimg and cooking.

Rain water will probably have a small tank just for toilets and watering of garden (2000l ior smaller)

How big your garden, how often and how long. Will 2000 litres be enough for a week?

Muni maybe a 5000l (Family of 5 ) this will be used for bathing and drinking as well as washing of clothes

Laundry can use a lot of water.

Did not know about a wellpoint ? how does one do this

A wellpoint pump cost on its own is from R2000. Generally an installer will include pump and pipe. There must be a power supply point to the pump. Your neighbours will generally let you know. All my neighbours had wellpoints. I jist had a black pipe and galvanise bend sticking out of the ground. There was a rusty pump in the garage. After speaking to my neighbour, I bought a pump, connected it to the black pipe, primed it and have free water since.

In Durban, if you are can you recommend any installers for this

In Cape Town.

Thanks @rh1

No problem