Advice on setting up a solar system

[Snyper564]

He said these were 1C, not 0.5C

I would stay away from those batteries esp the way these are being punted by your installer. Solar is a massive investment and trust in your installer and suppliers are MASSIVE dont skimp if you are uncomfortable with the situation move on from them.

You also dont need the riot with the hubble but it does help with latest updates remote monitoring by local support etc.

I cant even find the EVO batteries when googling. I would not try and save 10-20k now and pay dearly 1-2 years down the line.

not to be funny but I cant even imagine that conversation after 6 months. To convince someone that you are unhappy and they must change it for free cant see it happening.

 

[1am7h30n3]

My thoughts.

The 7kW of panels that you proposed, is a little bit over-spec on panels based on your 600-700kWh monthly consumption. That's generally a good are to over-spec, panels are relatively cheap and can help you on cloudy days, etc. The 10x 545W panels in the quote also seems decently spec'ed.

I don't know anything about evo batteries. If it was my money I wouldn't buy them. The 6 month exchange sounds nice, but my feeling is that 6 months isn't really much time in battery/solar terms, even if there are issues, you may not see them in only 6 months.

I suspect you're under-spec on batteries. I'm not sure what your consumption patterns are like, but mine is ~70% outside of solar hours. If yours is similar that means you'd need closer to 15kWh of storage.

 

[Snyper564]

My thoughts.

The 7kW of panels that you proposed, is a little bit over-spec on panels based on your 600-700kWh monthly consumption. That's generally a good are to over-spec, panels are relatively cheap and can help you on cloudy days, etc. The 10x 545W panels in the quote also seems decently spec'ed.

I don't know anything about evo batteries. If it was my money I wouldn't buy them. The 6 month exchange sounds nice, but my feeling is that 6 months isn't really much time in battery/solar terms, even if there are issues, you may not see them in only 6 months.

I suspect you're under-spec on batteries. I'm not sure what your consumption patterns are like, but mine is ~70% outside of solar hours. If yours is similar that means you'd need closer to 15kWh of storage.

yup its very similar to my system also overspec the panels and its the batteries in particular that make a world of dif I had three and just got the 4th to be fine for winter. 5.5kw hubbles

 

[sjm]

My thoughts.

The 7kW of panels that you proposed, is a little bit over-spec on panels based on your 600-700kWh monthly consumption. That's generally a good are to over-spec, panels are relatively cheap and can help you on cloudy days, etc. The 10x 545W panels in the quote also seems decently spec'ed.

I don't know anything about evo batteries. If it was my money I wouldn't buy them. The 6 month exchange sounds nice, but my feeling is that 6 months isn't really much time in battery/solar terms, even if there are issues, you may not see them in only 6 months.

I suspect you're under-spec on batteries. I'm not sure what your consumption patterns are like, but mine is ~70% outside of solar hours. If yours is similar that means you'd need closer to 15kWh of storage.

Thanks for the advice.

Most of my consumption is during the day (pool pump) or can be shifted to day time (washing machine, time dryer etc) but I will be looking to expand battery storage next. I'm thinking of maxing out my solar panels first to not have to do multiple panel installations.

I'm actually considering getting the initial install done without batteries (grid tied) whilst I spend the next week or two investigating batteries, then purchase and install batteries once I'm satisfied and confident in a battery choice.

 

[sjm]

My thoughts.

The 7kW of panels that you proposed, is a little bit over-spec on panels based on your 600-700kWh monthly consumption. That's generally a good are to over-spec, panels are relatively cheap and can help you on cloudy days, etc. The 10x 545W panels in the quote also seems decently spec'ed.

I'm a bit confused here, were you referring to the 8kw inverter or the 5.45 kW of panels?

 

[Snyper564]

I'm a bit confused here, were you referring to the 8kw inverter or the 5.45 kW of panels?

likely referring to panels.

I can tell you stick to the overspecd system

go 8kw from day one and max your panels if you can afford it then you future proofed

 

[1am7h30n3]

I'm a bit confused here, were you referring to the 8kw inverter or the 5.45 kW of panels?

The panels. I don't know what size inverter you need, you'll have to look at your peak loads to figure that out.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Thanks for the advice.

Most of my consumption is during the day (pool pump) or can be shifted to day time (washing machine, time dryer etc) but I will be looking to expand battery storage next. I'm thinking of maxing out my solar panels first to not have to do multiple panel installations.

I'm actually considering getting the initial install done without batteries (grid tied) whilst I spend the next week or two investigating batteries, then purchase and install batteries once I'm satisfied and confident in a battery choice.

Rather get it done once if you can. Otherwise you're going to pay the installer to come out twice...

 

[ADrunkTeddyBear]

Thanks for the advice.

Most of my consumption is during the day (pool pump) or can be shifted to day time (washing machine, time dryer etc) but I will be looking to expand battery storage next. I'm thinking of maxing out my solar panels first to not have to do multiple panel installations.

I'm actually considering getting the initial install done without batteries (grid tied) whilst I spend the next week or two investigating batteries, then purchase and install batteries once I'm satisfied and confident in a battery choice.

Rather do what Mike is saying pay once for an install done properly.

Unless the installer stays nearby or a friend, he will be double charging you for labour and call out fees

Battery bank also looks a bit small as well. 2 x 5kWh batteries would serve you well.

Personal favourite batteries now are the Hubble (I have them installed at home) and the Freedom Won eTower (Reputable brand that started in SA and is now global)

 

[Snyper564]

Rather get it done once if you can. Otherwise you're going to pay the installer to come out twice...

I echo this and not just 2x call out you risk massive price increases. My 535w panels were R2700 in nov they now 1k more.

If you have the funds do it once.

We dont know how the war etc is going to mess with stock

 

[sjm]

So I've finally decided to pull the trigger and this is what I'm going with.

• 14 x 540W JA Solar panels
• 1 x 8kW Sunsynk hybrid inverter
• 2 x Pylontech UP5000 batteries.

Awaiting delivery of the parts then will start the installation.

I'm also considering getting a battery cabinet - https://onlineshop.gcsolar.co.za/product/pylon-cabinet-up5000-3g-3-batteries/ . Anyone have any experience with these / any thoughts around a cabinet?

 

[sjm]

On a different matter

@mods, @rpm - could we set up a "Solar installations" sub-forum to this forum? There are a lot of really interesting threads where people are discussing their systems and installations on this forum. I worry though that as more and more people move to solar, the explosion in these threads will start drowning out other threads so I think a good solution would be to provide a space dedicated to this.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

So I've finally decided to pull the trigger and this is what I'm going with.

• 14 x 540W JA Solar panels
• 1 x 8kW Sunsynk hybrid inverter
• 2 x Pylontech UP5000 batteries.

Awaiting delivery of the parts then will start the installation.

I'm also considering getting a battery cabinet - https://onlineshop.gcsolar.co.za/product/pylon-cabinet-up5000-3g-3-batteries/ . Anyone have any experience with these / any thoughts around a cabinet?

Would have went wall mounted itself, but that's a great system. Congrats!

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

On a different matter

@mods, @rpm - could we set up a "Solar installations" sub-forum to this forum? There are a lot of really interesting threads where people are discussing their systems and installations on this forum. I worry though that as more and more people move to solar, the explosion in these threads will start drowning out other threads so I think a good solution would be to provide a space dedicated to this.

It's been bundled with the Home Improvement section, which I don't really agree with.

Home Improvements: Solar, Building, Gardening, etc

Please use this forum to discuss Home Improvements, DIY, and Building

mybroadband.co.za

IMO there's enough discussion to warrant an alternative energy section (solar, wind, generators etc.). And within that, a sub-forum for member installations...

 

[sjm]

Would have went wall mounted itself, but that's a great system. Congrats!

Thanks.

Any specific reason you'd have gone wall mounted? Is it just a preference?

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Thanks.

Any specific reason you'd have gone wall mounted? Is it just a preference?

Space and aesthetics mainly. When you run out of cabinet space, you'll have to get another which takes up floor space. If this is not an issue then go for it, it's a great battery...

 

[Heisenborg]

So I've finally decided to pull the trigger and this is what I'm going with.

• 14 x 540W JA Solar panels
• 1 x 8kW Sunsynk hybrid inverter
• 2 x Pylontech UP5000 batteries.

Awaiting delivery of the parts then will start the installation.

I'm also considering getting a battery cabinet - https://onlineshop.gcsolar.co.za/product/pylon-cabinet-up5000-3g-3-batteries/ . Anyone have any experience with these / any thoughts around a cabinet?

Get a cabinet with glass in front so you can see any leds or status issues

 

[shadow_man]

R28k for an 8Kw inverter is a bit steep. Look on the Power Forum, you can get them a lot less. I paid R9k, admittedly 6 years ago

The MPPT circuit stopped working and I got it repaired by a firm in Epping

No it's not - the Sunsynk 8.8kw's get sold for around R36 000 - R38 000 by installers.

 

[shadow_man]

So I've finally decided to pull the trigger and this is what I'm going with.

• 14 x 540W JA Solar panels
• 1 x 8kW Sunsynk hybrid inverter
• 2 x Pylontech UP5000 batteries.

Awaiting delivery of the parts then will start the installation.

I'm also considering getting a battery cabinet - https://onlineshop.gcsolar.co.za/product/pylon-cabinet-up5000-3g-3-batteries/ . Anyone have any experience with these / any thoughts around a cabinet?

I'm also doing getting an install done (and I'm on your side of the world).

18x 540W JA panels
1x 8kW Sunsynk inverter
1x Freedomwon 20/16kW battery

Happy to help you compare costs, show you the 4 supplier quotes I got / share pics of install (it's going up today and tomorrow and maybe Friday if needed).

 

[Mzezman]

I'm also doing getting an install done (and I'm on your side of the world).

18x 540W JA panels
1x 8kW Sunsynk inverter
1x Freedomwon 20/16kW battery

Happy to help you compare costs, show you the 4 supplier quotes I got / share pics of install (it's going up today and tomorrow and maybe Friday if needed).

all the pics