Advice needed - Solar System

[RonSwanson]

My only fear is the house orientation vs the sun, should I buy more panels and then every 3/4 months buy a battery?

Yes, your roof orientation is not the greatest. It is not the worst either, some people have 90 degrees azimuth and still manage to get good production out of an East -- West install. You have tons of space too, so fill it up.

In deciding between panels and batteries, and which to buy first, you need to consider what your immediate objectives are, and prioritise them. If a reliable electricity supply trumps monthly savings, then buy batteries now, and add panels later. If it's the other way around, then buy panels (and add the monthly Eskom savings to your battery fund). Both are acceptable, not all of us have the financial means to go full hog in phase one.

Looking at your monthly utilisation (600-750kWh), you could easily get by with a 5K Sunsynk, so that's another 10K or so. I know that the 8K is attractive and very popular, but the costs all add up, and if you really find that you need more power, you could always add another 5K in parallel. Or even flog the 5K and get an 8K.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

My only fear is the house orientation vs the sun, should I buy more panels and then every 3/4 months buy a battery?

I would go in this order



1 is NNW and should get a good amount of sun. Although it seems like you can only fit a panel or two there.

2 being ENE should get a fair amount. Not as much as 1, but definitely better than pure east.

3 should be ok for afternoon sun in summer, but won't be great in winter. Try and limit it to the top part.

You already have a hint with (what looks like) the pool panels. Rather look at relocating them to make space for your actual panels...

 

[rh1]

I would go in this order

View attachment 1282530

1 is NNW and should get a good amount of sun. Although it seems like you can only fit a panel or two there.

2 being ENE should get a fair amount. Not as much as 1, but definitely better than pure east.

3 should be ok for afternoon sun in summer, but won't be great in winter. Try and limit it to the top part.

You already have a hint with (what looks like) the pool panels. Rather look at relocating them to make space for your actual panels...

Thanks, 1 & 2 is my garage, it is also where my current Distribution Board is. Yes, I will definitely be removing/moving the pool panels as it actually sprung a leak a few weeks ago. So it is due for replacement anyway. So considering these factors, I will use that area for the panels.

 

[Steijn1]

My only fear is the house orientation vs the sun, should I buy more panels and then every 3/4 months buy a battery?

That is what I did.
First the 16 panels and 1 battery. I added the second battery at the end of March

 

[maumau]

Why go solar if you're only using 600/750 p.m? That's less than R2k (admittedly at current prices).

Is it because more and more LS?

 

[rh1]

Why go solar if you're only using 600/750 p.m? That's less than R2k (admittedly at current prices).

Is it because more and more LS?

I had the same mindset just before Cape Town drought. I bought 4 tanks x 1900litres and I can easily put in a filtration system (this is my next step), but I am water secure. As Cape Town has not done anything yet to alleviate the impact of the next drought.

Similar situation, Eskom. Everything indicates that Eskom cannot turn it around, and to keep the lights on currently they are burning diesel at unsustainable levels. Sooner or later, we will have a Zimbabwe type of situation. Cape Town will probably have electricity, but I am an Eskom customer so I will not get that benefit. COCT is however very expensive.

 

[Steijn1]

Why go solar if you're only using 600/750 p.m? That's less than R2k (admittedly at current prices).

Is it because more and more LS?

I have similar usage but loadshedding started interfering with work and business.
It's much more about quality of life than savings but any savings are welcome.

 

[Steijn1]

I had the same mindset just before Cape Town drought. I bought 4 tanks x 1900litres and I can easily put in a filtration system (this is my next step), but I am water secure. As Cape Town has not done anything yet to alleviate the impact of the next drought.

Similar situation, Eskom. Everything indicates that Eskom cannot turn it around, and to keep the lights on currently they are burning diesel at unsustainable levels. Sooner or later, we will have a Zimbabwe type of situation. Cape Town will probably have electricity, but I am an Eskom customer so I will not get that benefit. COCT is however very expensive.

Water security is definitely a future plan for us as well

 

[maumau]

I had the same mindset just before Cape Town drought. I bought 4 tanks x 1900litres and I can easily put in a filtration system (this is my next step), but I am water secure. As Cape Town has not done anything yet to alleviate the impact of the next drought.

Similar situation, Eskom. Everything indicates that Eskom cannot turn it around, and to keep the lights on currently they are burning diesel at unsustainable levels. Sooner or later, we will have a Zimbabwe type of situation. Cape Town will probably have electricity, but I am an Eskom customer so I will not get that benefit. COCT is however very expensive.

I hear you and agree, at least we can count on the sun rising everyday.

.... and, yep the water issue..

 

[Lupus]

I had the same mindset just before Cape Town drought. I bought 4 tanks x 1900litres and I can easily put in a filtration system (this is my next step), but I am water secure. As Cape Town has not done anything yet to alleviate the impact of the next drought.

Similar situation, Eskom. Everything indicates that Eskom cannot turn it around, and to keep the lights on currently they are burning diesel at unsustainable levels. Sooner or later, we will have a Zimbabwe type of situation. Cape Town will probably have electricity, but I am an Eskom customer so I will not get that benefit. COCT is however very expensive.

7600l so you'll be covered for 2 weeks?
Also you are aware they've not been using the OCTGs every day? Just took a look at the UK they are currently generating 50% of their electricity from gas, that's not good at the current market trend either, seems a few places need to supplement

 

[RonSwanson]

Why go solar if you're only using 600/750 p.m? That's less than R2k (admittedly at current prices).

Is it because more and more LS?

My own utilisation was half that of the OP when I made the decision (300-350kWh). It was clear to me then that energy would follow the exact same pattern that we see in education, policing, healthcare, transport and other services that our government supposedly provides. Alternative energy frees my shackles to incompetence and indifference of the highest order and I am no longer forced to endure a lifestyle controlled and dictated by communist apologists and ANC voters.

 

[rh1]

7600l so you'll be covered for 2 weeks?
Also you are aware they've not been using the OCTGs every day? Just took a look at the UK they are currently generating 50% of their electricity from gas, that's not good at the current market trend either, seems a few places need to supplement

I actually have a wellpoint. It is used to top up my tanks.

 

[Lupus]

I actually have a wellpoint. It is used to top up my tanks.

Ah that makes a big difference

 

[RonSwanson]

I would go in this order

View attachment 1282530

1 is NNW and should get a good amount of sun. Although it seems like you can only fit a panel or two there.

2 being ENE should get a fair amount. Not as much as 1, but definitely better than pure east.

3 should be ok for afternoon sun in summer, but won't be great in winter. Try and limit it to the top part.

You already have a hint with (what looks like) the pool panels. Rather look at relocating them to make space for your actual panels...

If it were mine, I'd consider this:


Port Elizabeth has a very cool GIS tool that allows for very accurate ground measurements (far better than Google Earth). Check it out here: https://gis.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/agsviewercm/ @rh1 Do you know if CoCT has anything similar?

 

[rh1]

If it were mine, I'd consider this:
View attachment 1282686

Port Elizabeth has a very cool GIS tool that allows for very accurate ground measurements (far better than Google Earth). Check it out here: https://gis.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/agsviewercm/ @rh1 Do you know if CoCT has anything similar?

This is CT GCIS, the tree was the first thing that went when we move in. That and the gutter garden.

What is an optimiser?

 

[P924]

1 Coulomb

1A/s? You are not using that term correctly.

Coulomb | Unit, Symbol, & Definition | Britannica

Coulomb, unit of electric charge in the metre-kilogram-second-ampere system, the basis of the SI system of physical units. It is abbreviated as C. The coulomb is defined as the quantity of electricity transported in one second by a current of one ampere. Named for the 18th–19th-century French

www.britannica.com

In battery terms, the C-rate refers to the discharge/charge rate as a function of the capacity.

What is a Battery C Rating

Understand battery C rating and its impact on charge and discharge rates for optimal battery performance and longevity.

www.power-sonic.com

 

[RonSwanson]

1A/s? You are not using that term correctly.

Coulomb | Unit, Symbol, & Definition | Britannica

Coulomb, unit of electric charge in the metre-kilogram-second-ampere system, the basis of the SI system of physical units. It is abbreviated as C. The coulomb is defined as the quantity of electricity transported in one second by a current of one ampere. Named for the 18th–19th-century French

www.britannica.com

In battery terms, the C-rate refers to the discharge/charge rate as a function of the capacity.

What is a Battery C Rating

Understand battery C rating and its impact on charge and discharge rates for optimal battery performance and longevity.

www.power-sonic.com

Yes, thank you. C-rate is derived from the Coulomb.

 

[P924]

Yes, thank you. C-rate is derived from the Coulomb.

It is not, where did you get that idea?

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

What is an optimiser?

Something like this

Tigo TS4-A-O

Optimization is a Flex MLPE function available as an integrated modular junction box base (TS4-O) or as an add-on unit (TS4-A-O). Design using unequal string lengths, mixed orientations, or areas of mismatch. Install in shaded areas with a reduced setback ratio. In addition to optimization, the...

www.tigoenergy.com

So when parts of your panels get shade, it minimises the impact on the rest of the array...

 

[Saba'a]

1A/s? You are not using that term correctly.

Coulomb | Unit, Symbol, & Definition | Britannica

Coulomb, unit of electric charge in the metre-kilogram-second-ampere system, the basis of the SI system of physical units. It is abbreviated as C. The coulomb is defined as the quantity of electricity transported in one second by a current of one ampere. Named for the 18th–19th-century French

www.britannica.com

In battery terms, the C-rate refers to the discharge/charge rate as a function of the capacity.

What is a Battery C Rating

Understand battery C rating and its impact on charge and discharge rates for optimal battery performance and longevity.

www.power-sonic.com

Maybe this article will help to differentiate:

Electropaedia - Battery Beginners Page