DIY Solar Power Station: Bad idea?

[Budza]

Looking at something like this:

LITHIUM555 SOLAR COMBO, PLUG AND PLAY

AVAILABLE FROM STOCK. The combo consists of Namib150 Teflon foldable solar panel manufactured with latest shingled solar cell technology What is shingled solar cell technology? Read our blog Lithium555 portable power station. Read up about cost and process to replace the battery in our FAQ...

flexopower.co.za

• AC output: rating 500W max. (1.000W peak), pure sine, 50Hz. Standard with 2 x South African plugs integrated. No extra adapters required.
• DC output: 1 x 12V CLA, 2 x 12V barrel plugs @ 15A. 4 x USB including fast charge and type C.

With 150W Panel (Max Solar input =200W)

This combo is R14k

I could build something similar (less portable, which is fine):

RCT 1kVA 1.4kWh Compact Lithium Back-Up Kit

Please note that this item is available on pre-order with a lead time of 3 - 4 weeks. This kit consist of 1 x RCT Axpert VM 1K12V 1kVA 1kW 12V Hybrid Inverter. 1 x Ritar 12.8V 100Ah Lithium Battery. 2 x Sustainable 25mm² Red Panelflex. 2 x Sustainable 25mm² Black Panelflex.

www.sustainable.co.za

+

JA Solar 540W Mono Percium Half-cell Solar Panel

More benefits of this module range Higher power output Less shading Lower resistive losses Lower LCOE Technical Specifications Cell: Mono. Weight: 28.6kg±3%. Dimensions: 2279×1134×35mm. Cable Cross Section Size: 4mm. No. of Cells: 144 (6×24). Junction Box: IP67, 3 diodes. Connector: QC4.10...

www.sustainable.co.za

OR 2x https://www.sustainable.co.za/colle...ls/products/cnbm-6p-275-275w-poly-solar-panel

Total: ~R17.5k

This gives:

>double the solar input (500W vs 200W - 150W with the supplied Namib panel)
>double the inverter output (1.4 kWh vs 500W)
>double the capacity (1400Wh vs 555Wh)

(If I'm reading any of this incorrectly, please correct!)


Use Case:
This is to get media centre etc through loadshedding & some lights if LS at night.

Some additional things plugged in during the day to make use of the 500W coming in. Not sure what, but will try to make use of the power when available.

I WFH so could add my hardware onto this via extension cable for day time use.

Is the solar panel worth it?
500W = ~2,5kWh/day * R3.31/kWh (COCT) =R8.275 / ~R4.3k & & = ~1.5yrs ROI?

Bad Idea?

 

[DuracellBunny]

It can work with just a few changes to the items to make it work better but are you planning just a few items connected just to get through load shedding or when something is being shed?

 

[DuracellBunny]

I would say All in All would set you back around R30K if you plan to look at system which is a bit less portable below is a system I can recommend for a smaller systems.

Inverter
KODAK Solar Off-Grid Inverter 1.5kW 24V @ R 7689.95 incl ( This inverter has a nice PV voltage range 120 VDC ~ 380 VDC and 14A on the controller so it does give you room with panels )

Battery
GITER 2.56kWh, 25.6V/100Ah LFP battery module @ R 10499.95 incl ( Lithium is always the route to go, they are a lot more affordable )

Solar panels X 3
JA Solar 365W Mono MBB Percium Half-Cell All Black Short Frame MC4 @ R 2499.95 incl ( Pricing on solar panels have recently Skyrocked over time Demand,shortage and all the other stories)

Mounting
Depending on where you want to squeeze these in, I have seen movable ground mount kits for around R2000 and then the standard rails and clamps would be less than R1K.

But the above would be a decent small setup that you can spend less than R30K and a 1500w is quite a reasonable bit for a person to have their necessities on, Fridge, media center, a few LED lights, Charging point or 2 and a bit of saving on electricity during the day,

Only problem with these type of inverters that they are unable to actively mix AC and DC unless its an online system. Usually to counter this. The inverter can cycle the battery to a certain voltage and when it reaches this voltage, it swaps back to grid till the set voltage and repeats this cycle so you can make full use of solar.

If you need the places to buy the things above, you can drop me a DM

Hope the above helps

 

[Budza]

I would say All in All would set you back around R30K if you plan to look at system which is a bit less portable below is a system I can recommend for a smaller systems.

Inverter
KODAK Solar Off-Grid Inverter 1.5kW 24V @ R 7689.95 incl ( This inverter has a nice PV voltage range 120 VDC ~ 380 VDC and 14A on the controller so it does give you room with panels )

Battery
GITER 2.56kWh, 25.6V/100Ah LFP battery module @ R 10499.95 incl ( Lithium is always the route to go, they are a lot more affordable )

Solar panels X 3
JA Solar 365W Mono MBB Percium Half-Cell All Black Short Frame MC4 @ R 2499.95 incl ( Pricing on solar panels have recently Skyrocked over time Demand,shortage and all the other stories)

Mounting
Depending on where you want to squeeze these in, I have seen movable ground mount kits for around R2000 and then the standard rails and clamps would be less than R1K.

But the above would be a decent small setup that you can spend less than R30K and a 1500w is quite a reasonable bit for a person to have their necessities on, Fridge, media center, a few LED lights, Charging point or 2 and a bit of saving on electricity during the day,

Only problem with these type of inverters that they are unable to actively mix AC and DC unless its an online system. Usually to counter this. The inverter can cycle the battery to a certain voltage and when it reaches this voltage, it swaps back to grid till the set voltage and repeats this cycle so you can make full use of solar.

If you need the places to buy the things above, you can drop me a DM

Hope the above helps

Thanks- will PM to take this further.

I'll update here with results if this goes ahead...