DIY OG Solar install

lexity said:
If you're a man you know... we have to at least have a go at mastering something new.

Am I wrong, @Speedster ?

Doesn't mean you can't get help when needed, or even decide to hand it over completely to a professional at some point.

I mean I already know I'm going to need help if we go with those big-ass mf-ing solar panels... 2.2m x 1.1m at 30kg each.
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stay off the internet and contact a registered installer ,you cannot do it economically yourself ,not saying your not a man ,rather be a man and get help from an installation electrician , panels are costly and you dont want to f up .
 
soulie said:
stay off the internet and contact a registered installer ,you cannot do it economically yourself ,not saying your not a man ,rather be a man and get help from an installation electrician , panels are costly and you dont want to f up .
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If he is technically inclined and willing to spend some time reading/learning/YouTube it can very definitely be done. And it is MUCH cheaper DIYing a solar install (unless you screw up, in which case it will be much more expensive).
 
First issue is setting the expectation, R150k won't get them off grid at 450kwh. It can significantly cut the usage to maybe 150kwh but that 150kwh will take probably another 100k+ and then you haven't accounted for rainy days yet.
 
B-1 said:
First issue is setting the expectation, R150k won't get them off grid at 450kwh. It can significantly cut the usage to maybe 150kwh but that 150kwh will take probably another 100k+ and then you haven't accounted for rainy days yet.
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Agreed. Off grid should only really be on the radar if you have no other option (i.e. no grid in your area / farmhouse etc). In every other situation keeping grid around for backup just makes sense.
 
lexity said:
If you're a man you know... we have to at least have a go at mastering something new.

Am I wrong, @Speedster ?

Doesn't mean you can't get help when needed, or even decide to hand it over completely to a professional at some point.

I mean I already know I'm going to need help if we go with those big-ass mf-ing solar panels... 2.2m x 1.1m at 30kg each.
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You shouldn’t be giving advice or help if you don’t even know what a bus bar is or how current flows. You’re gonna kill your self or someone.
 
semaphore said:
You shouldn’t be giving advice or help if you don’t even know what a bus bar is or how current flows. You’re gonna kill your self or someone.
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There are two kinds of people in this world...

1) those who like and want to learn, and

2) those who think learning is beyond them and so envy others, who obviously can and do.
 
lexity said:
There are two kinds of people in this world...

1) those who like and want to learn, and

2) those who think learning is beyond them and so envy others, who obviously can and do.
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in all honesty as i said earlier ,befriend someone to help you ,70 percent of the junk you will watch on internet isnt our code .its illegal to install your own solar panels unless you are certified,irrespective of what you read on mybb .you cannot get a valid coc if you do it yourself ,this has been covered in many threads ,and yes i am certified and i do coc ,i cannot coc a system where the parameters are unknown .no matter what the brightsparks tell you on the forum ,get help .if its just on a frame on the ground ,go for it and learn that way .during the last 2 weeks i have seen insurance companies sending out verified companies to do inspections on solar systems and the results are horrifying ,also there are no set sanas standards for solar yet its all in draft and in limbo ,so if you dont know the factory and building act as well as sans 10142 youre job becomes very difficult .reading the code and understanding it and using it properly isnt easy .theres plenty of misinformation out there .from geysers to toasters .just my 2 cents and im sure it will infuriate lots of do it yourself guys ,when youre house has burnt down and the inspector is holding the piece of solar that caused it ,good luck .
 
soulie said:
in all honesty as i said earlier ,befriend someone to help you ,70 percent of the junk you will watch on internet isnt our code .its illegal to install your own solar panels unless you are certified,irrespective of what you read on mybb .you cannot get a valid coc if you do it yourself ,this has been covered in many threads ,and yes i am certified and i do coc ,i cannot coc a system where the parameters are unknown .no matter what the brightsparks tell you on the forum ,get help .if its just on a frame on the ground ,go for it and learn that way .during the last 2 weeks i have seen insurance companies sending out verified companies to do inspections on solar systems and the results are horrifying ,also there are no set sanas standards for solar yet its all in draft and in limbo ,so if you dont know the factory and building act as well as sans 10142 youre job becomes very difficult .reading the code and understanding it and using it properly isnt easy .theres plenty of misinformation out there .from geysers to toasters .just my 2 cents and im sure it will infuriate lots of do it yourself guys ,when youre house has burnt down and the inspector is holding the piece of solar that caused it ,good luck .
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When you don't rely on a government safety net - sponsored by the unwilling - you pay more attention, not less.

Take your coc for a long walk on a short pier.
 
RonSwanson said:
TBBH, if you really want to help them, get them to contact a trusted advisor who is in the know, like Steve from PFS.
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nah ,he will know all after watching utoob vids that are so misaligned and funky ,none so blind as those that will not see ,im guessing its for himself ,thats great ,but just dont skimp on install .
 
i also suggest you send this to your (buddy )who you want to help so he can decide on who fs his house up for him .
 

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Who knew a thread on do-it-yourself off-grid solar installation would attract industry gatekeepers.

They probably think consumer-demand for solar is grass-roots, too.
 
My 2 cents worth. Don't DIY for friends if you want to keep them. Don't DIY if you aren't an electrician or trained in some way.

You probably didn't really mean off-grid, as totally off grid is very expensive. That being said with that budget it's a bit of a stretch.
Just a quick example
Sunsynk Inverter 5kw
27000​
2 LifePo4 48V 100ah bronze
44000​
450w panels (prices guess) 10
40000​
111000​

That's without and switches, fuses, wiring, COC, earth spikes, SPD's etc.
 
schuits said:
My 2 cents worth. Don't DIY for friends if you want to keep them. Don't DIY if you aren't an electrician or trained in some way.

You probably didn't really mean off-grid, as totally off grid is very expensive. That being said with that budget it's a bit of a stretch.
Just a quick example
Sunsynk Inverter 5kw
27000​
2 LifePo4 48V 100ah bronze
44000​
450w panels (prices guess) 10
40000​
111000​

That's without and switches, fuses, wiring, COC, earth spikes, SPD's etc.
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Thanks. I will def' bear that in mind.
 
lexity said:
Who knew a thread on do-it-yourself off-grid solar installation would attract industry gatekeepers.

They probably think consumer-demand for solar is grass-roots, too.
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no gate keepers squire ,just reality ,most really dont care what you do ,i can only advise on what you shouldnt do .one mistake is going to cost you plenty as many will attest to on the forum ,thousands , but from what i have read on your posts ,rather get pro help . especially if its for a friend .use the info dont use it ,im talking from experience and have seen plenty of consumers cry after the install is done and has to be totally redone .me i just shrug and walk away ,not my problem .
 
I'm thinking perhaps after this first install I might start my own DIY solar install certification business. To, you know, compete with fiat-certified installers.

I could knock that price wayyyy down.

Whad'ya think?
 
@lexity I paid just under R19k, for my install. The installer was an electrical engineer with his brother in law, an electrician.

I have a COC, and a proper install. Are your friends really going to save much? What about peace of mind?

I have no issues with DIY, but I would not DIY for someone else when I dont know what I am doing.
 
lexity said:
I'm thinking perhaps after this first install I might start my own DIY solar install certification business. To, you know, compete with fiat-certified installers.

I could knock that price wayyyy down.

Whad'ya think?
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i think you need to look at the first places building plans to see if it can hold all those 30 kg panels you want to install ,engineers reports arent cheap and insurance company will want to know why there are roof tiles, beams and trusses in the lounge once its collapsed.no malice squire ,you asked you got .
 
rh1 said:
@lexity I paid just under R19k, for my install. The installer was an electrical engineer with his brother in law, an electrician.

I have a COC, and a proper install. Are your friends really going to save much? What about peace of mind?

I have no issues with DIY, but I would not DIY for someone else when I dont know what I am doing.
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To tell you the truth, this is as much for my own future install as it is for theirs.

But thanks for your input. I'm sure I will learn a ton from anyone who's done some hard yards.... if they are generous enough to contribute to the thread.

p.s. Well done, btw. That is excellent-going.
 
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