Advice needed on Residential Solar Options

[SG1]

I'm very new to this, so please keep in mind I'm not familiar with the technical aspects around these solutions. With these escalating Eskom prices and loadshedding, I am giving serious consideration to going solar, or getting some sort of hybrid solution implemented to lower costs. I currently pay R1400 for my electricity. According to my statement, readings are only taken twice a year, but I've averaged it out and it looks like we use 2 kWh and around 580 units. The rest of my R3000 bill is for rates and sewage.

First question: It looks like I am not using a lot of electricity. Is it worthwhile even investing in solar?
Second question: If the answer is Yes, because it's just a better option and guarantees fewer issues later on, what are the requirements for cleaning, maintaining the units etc.
Does all this justify the cost? I may be selling in a few years and I'm sure this will add value to my unit?
Finally, There are lots of monkeys where I stay, and they're often jumping on the roof. I'm concerned going solar means they may damage the panels. What are my options here?

 

[Snyper564]

Look here this covers most of your questions and is the perfect size for your consumption

Snyper's Solar Farm

Hi all, I am finally getting round to making this thread. After loads of research and another bout of load shedding I finally decided to pull the trigger and load shed Eskom. Prior to going solar I already had all the lights on LEDs, house is kitted with energy efficient appliances and...

mybroadband.co.za

 

[rh1]

So do you use 2kilowatts per hour on average = 48kw per day = 1440kw per 30 days. Or 580 units per month = 19.33kw per day or 0.8kw per hour.

So you need to clarify this.

There are many threads on this. You first need to determine your budget. Secondly, you need to be able to measure your electricity usage. Why because the average is just that it does indicate your high usage.


Your rates/water/sewerage bill can be reduce by looking at alternative water/grey water etc. The less water you use the less your sewerage costs will also be.

 

[rh1]

My COCT bill is 1500 pm and my Eskom Electricity bill is about R950 pm. Rates I cannot change and the fixed pipe water charge they implement I cannot reduce. Which is about R1300 of the R1500.

 

[wingnut771]

My COCT bill is 1500 pm and my Eskom Electricity bill is about R950 pm. Rates I cannot change and the fixed pipe water charge they implement I cannot reduce. Which is about R1300 of the R1500.

You only pay R200 rates?

 

[SG1]

Thank you for this. It's obviously a lot more complicated than I thought and I clearly have lots of reading to do!

 

[Snyper564]

Thank you for this. It's obviously a lot more complicated than I thought and I clearly have lots of reading to do!

Figuring out your budget and whether your roof shading etc likely 2 most important factors after usage.

 

[SG1]

So do you use 2kilowatts per hour on average = 48kw per day = 1440kw per 30 days. Or 580 units per month = 19.33kw per day or 0.8kw per hour.

So you need to clarify this.

There are many threads on this. You first need to determine your budget. Secondly, you need to be able to measure your electricity usage. Why because the average is just that it does indicate your high usage.


Your rates/water/sewerage bill can be reduce by looking at alternative water/grey water etc. The less water you use the less your sewerage costs will also be.

About 19.5kWh on an average day, considering a 30 day month. You are correct, this is not the highest usage.

 

[Snyper564]

About 19.5kWh on an average day, considering a 30 day month. You are correct, this is not the highest usage.

If you have the money convenience of the solar system with load shedding random long power outs etc makes it 100% worth it even at our lower consumption

 

[rh1]

You only pay R200 rates?

What I meant was the only control I have is over the water and sewerage charges as this is based on the amount I used. The rest is fixed as per COCT tarriffs:

 

[rh1]

So in the above I pay +/- R260 for water and sewerage and my bill is currently R1500. which means that R1240 is fixed which I can do nothing about. The fixed basic charge is bullshit that they implemented during the drought but have not removed.

 

[wingnut771]

What I meant was the only control I have is over the water and sewerage charges as this is based on the amount I used. The rest is fixed as per COCT tarriffs:

View attachment 1212480

View attachment 1212482

R800 per month pipe levy. Daylight robbery. No wonder the DA have lost votes.

EDIT: Seems it's R1240 pipe levy!

 

[rh1]

R800 per month pipe levy. Daylight robbery. No wonder the DA have lost votes.

EDIT: Seems it's R1240 pipe levy!

Sorry typing to quickly, also last day working, getting things done.

My total COCT bill is R1500. Which includes rates, waters, sewerage and refuse.

The only variable is the water and sewerage. I have reduce my water bill significantly by investing in a wellpoint which I use mainly for laundry and irrigation. I filter the water using those filters you buy for irrigation as there is a white very fine substance in the water.

 

[wingnut771]

Sorry typing to quickly, also last day working, getting things done.

My total COCT bill is R1500. Which includes rates, waters, sewerage and refuse.

The only variable is the water and sewerage. I have reduce my water bill significantly by investing in a wellpoint which I use mainly for laundry and irrigation. I filter the water using those filters you buy for irrigation as there is a white very fine substance in the water.

No worries, so how much is the drought pipe levy then?

 

[furpile]

I'm very new to this, so please keep in mind I'm not familiar with the technical aspects around these solutions. With these escalating Eskom prices and loadshedding, I am giving serious consideration to going solar, or getting some sort of hybrid solution implemented to lower costs. I currently pay R1400 for my electricity. According to my statement, readings are only taken twice a year, but I've averaged it out and it looks like we use 2 kWh and around 580 units. The rest of my R3000 bill is for rates and sewage.

First question: It looks like I am not using a lot of electricity. Is it worthwhile even investing in solar?
Second question: If the answer is Yes, because it's just a better option and guarantees fewer issues later on, what are the requirements for cleaning, maintaining the units etc.
Does all this justify the cost? I may be selling in a few years and I'm sure this will add value to my unit?
Finally, There are lots of monkeys where I stay, and they're often jumping on the roof. I'm concerned going solar means they may damage the panels. What are my options here?

1. Yes, depending on your time of day usage you could save R1000+ of your current electricity bill.
2. Not sure, but if you read other threads this has been mentioned. Clean the panels once every few months (don't use the wrong soap here).
3. Payback seems to be around 7 or 8 years typically. Adding value to the house is subjective depending on the buyer, but it should add value.
4. Try cutting back the trees around the house? Not sure if some fencing around the panels are possible?

If you just want to save some money, something like a 5kW Sunsynk inverter (R20k) and some solar panels (up to R35k depending on how many you want) and 1 Hubble AM-2 battery (R25k) will be a good start. So between R80k to R100k and you should be able to run off solar the whole day and a part of you night usage. Extra batteries give you more runtime at night and for cloudy days, can always be added later. Snyper's system is a good reference for a complete system.

 

[Pax]

1. Yes, depending on your time of day usage you could save R1000+ of your current electricity bill.
2. Not sure, but if you read other threads this has been mentioned. Clean the panels once every few months (don't use the wrong soap here).
3. Payback seems to be around 7 or 8 years typically. Adding value to the house is subjective depending on the buyer, but it should add value.
4. Try cutting back the trees around the house? Not sure if some fencing around the panels are possible?

If you just want to save some money, something like a 5kW Sunsynk inverter (R20k) and some solar panels (up to R35k depending on how many you want) and 1 Hubble AM-2 battery (R25k) will be a good start. So between R80k to R100k and you should be able to run off solar the whole day and a part of you night usage. Extra batteries give you more runtime at night and for cloudy days, can always be added later. Snyper's system is a good reference for a complete system.

Sounds good, but I would go for a battery with international certification and end user support, e.g Pylontech.

 

[wingnut771]

Sounds good, but I would go for a battery with international certification and end user support, e.g Pylontech.

Then you would need 3.

 

[furpile]

Sounds good, but I would go for a battery with international certification and end user support, e.g Pylontech.

Sure there are many options. There is a whole thread about the different batteries, but for an install with only 1 battery the hubble at least gives you the full 5kW to run off the batteries. 1 Pylontech 3,5 kWh will only give about 1,7 kW when running off the battery. The OP will need a lot more details about his usage and needs to make a decision on what to buy, but this was just for an overview to give him an idea.

 

[Mystic Twilight]

Clean the panels once every few months (don't use the wrong soap here).

You don't even need to really use soap, water is good enough if its just for dust and other smudges. Maybe need soap if you have a pigeon colony living on your panels. From what I've seen, in most cases a moderate amount of rain is enough to clean solar panels no soluble solution needed.

 

[Sayf777]

Sure there are many options. There is a whole thread about the different batteries, but for an install with only 1 battery the hubble at least gives you the full 5kW to run off the batteries. 1 Pylontech 3,5 kWh will only give about 1,7 kW when running off the battery. The OP will need a lot more details about his usage and needs to make a decision on what to buy, but this was just for an overview to give him an idea.

You get half the capacity of a pylontech battery over an hour (0.5C) vs the full capacity of the battery from hubble (1C).

You are able to use 90-95% of the pylontech over 2 hours.