GrootBaas' Solar

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GrootBaas

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3 weeks ago I posted on The Battery Thread that I am considering solar purely to save energy. My neighbourhood did not get loadshedding now for several years (not sure why).

However, shortly after posting that, they found my button and now I am also experiencing the daily blackouts like the rest of the country. Maybe there is an Eskom spy on this forum. So even more reason to now get a solar system.

Yesterday I had the first person here for a quote. Still waiting on the quote to come through, but in the meanwhile I am reading up and would appreciate some inputs. I am reading through all the other threads as well, but it's a lot of information.

Still conflicted between a 5kw and 8kw inverter. I think the reality is that our electricity usage is rather significant so an 8kw system is probably the right way to go. The extra costs is just something that makes me a bit nauseous. Have run some numbers though and I estimate that even an 8kw system (used R200k as a rough number) will pay for itself in approx 5 years. Rough numbers.

The one thing (and there are discussions on this already, but now we have another one) is Sunsynk vs Deye. I would love to have as much customizability as possible and my understanding is that Sunsynk is the way to go w.r.t. that. However, the solar installer who I am waiting on a quote for begged me to go with Deye because of 2 reasons:
1) He said that Deye's after sales support is much better, in fact he indicated that Sunsynk's has really gone down the tube?
2) Apparently with the Deye inverter and battery combo you get an 11 year warranty whereas with the Sunsynk inverter it will only be 5

Are these two statements accurate?
Also, to what extend is the Deye customizable using something like Solar Man? I have a gyserwise max solar system already so also plan to upgrade that maybe with the Geyserwala system which another forum member recently launched, to be able to customise that (and hoping that I can even get the inverter and geyserwise operating as optimally as possible - not sure how that stuff works to be honest as I am completely new to this)

Yeah so will give some updates here on the journey, sure there will be lessons to learn from it. Unlike most of the forum members I am probably less technical, so a bit more nervous about what I am about to embark on.
 
All the best!

What is your current usage?
I used on avg 18kwh per day and definitely do not regret going for 8kw, so strongly advise that. Possibly even larger depending on usage and when that usage happens.

Your budget is plenty, prices have come down a lot. So be weary of high quotes.

1. My installer said the same thing but I bought my own components so already had the Sunsynk. But this changes every month, whatever the flavor.

2. Both Sunsynk and Deye offer 10yr warranties if you pair up the inverter with their own batteries. There's no price gap anymore, Deye battery a bit higher but also higher capacity.
 
Other way around in terms of customisation. Not sure if the newer Sunsynk dongles have an integration into home assistant yet. Deye still uses the Solarman dongle so it definitely does.

If you plan on using Solar Assistant then it's moot either way. Sunsynk has a nicer UI on the inverter itself if that's important to you, but all the functionality that you need is on both interfaces...
 
Sunsynk is a rebranded Deye so hardware wise you get the same thing except for the cloud infrastructure, dongle and firmware.

Sunsynk has been good to SA so I wouldn't have concerns there. Deye being the manufacturer will likely allow more than one service centre to service/repair them.

Personally if I had to buy again I wouldn't care which one I got. I have a 8kw Sunsynk at the moment.
 
+1 for 8kw inverter. It is the heart of the system. I am just thinking how much it would have trip had I gone with a 5kw inverter.

Prices have fallen due to oversupply. So shop around.
 
Thanks for all the replies. The support thing is interesting. I've been reading up on other forums last night and the general consensus is that Sunsynk support is much better. They actually have local support whereas it seems that Deye doesn't?
 
I have heard Sunsynk is better to Deye due to software updates. Also recommend stretching for the 8KW inverter if able. Rather stretch now for a bigger inverter as you can add batteries and panels later, you can't easily upgrade the inverter. If I could go back I would definitely do that now, and would go Sunsynk.
 
GrootBaas said:
Thanks for all the replies. The support thing is interesting. I've been reading up on other forums last night and the general consensus is that Sunsynk support is much better. They actually have local support whereas it seems that Deye doesn't?
Click to expand...

You can find examples for both inverters where people had to wait months for a repair. Some of the suppliers will offer a loan inverter while you wait for a repair.

Its usually a case of which installer/supplier offer the best support not necessarily the brand.
 
Yeah seems like much of a muchness between those two brands - I will definitely use a remote option to monitor and set the inverter so not too bothered about the interface on the inverter itself. Also now seeing talks about the Solis advanced power hybrid hitting our shelves - any thoughts on that?

W.r.t. my usage, I definitely need 8kw at a minimum. We are rather heavy on washing machines etc. Also have a 1.1kw pool pump. If I went 5kw the plan was to get another in due course. But realised now that I should just stick with the 8kw - I didn't realise the prices have come down so pleasantly surprised by that.

I received the quote. Not too bad but just looking at the prices the inverter and battery is a bit overpriced compared to what I see online (Deye 8kw R38k excl VAT; Volta 10.2kwh R49k excl VAT). Seems like they are adding a markup on those on top of charging for the labour (R13.5k excl VAT).

I'm in Cape Town Northern suburbs. My brother recently had a system installed and the people broke so much things at his place (roof tiles and ceiling) so looking for someone really reliable. I know this company who quoted me now did a great job at a friend's place so that was the reason for engaging him first.
 
My advice go with a 8kW inverter, I do not think under normal operating conditions it will make a big difference but from time to time want to switch on the kettle, stove or microwave while your wife is ironing and then it does make a difference.

I have a Deye and very happy with it but they tell me the Sunsynk got better SA support, a nicer app and a better interface.

My biggest regret is not having a second battery to store more electricity. You can have all the PV's in the world but if you not using it, storing it or selling it then they are wasted. You only produce what you use.

After my solar installation I went into the roof and checked if I can see any holes from broken tiles, I had a bad experience where people work on my solar geyser and broke tiles and I only noticed it after the ceiling started to show water damage.

Lastly, take time to figure out your usage patterns and plan what is on essentials and non essentials (some inverters also have a smart essentials) because if you clever you can really stretch your solar.
 
GrootVoet said:
@GrootBaas let me guess you in Boston.
Click to expand...
Correct.


GrootVoet said:
My advice go with a 8kW inverter, I do not think under normal operating conditions it will make a big difference but from time to time want to switch on the kettle, stove or microwave while your wife is ironing and then it does make a difference.

I have a Deye and very happy with it but they tell me the Sunsynk got better SA support, a nicer app and a better interface.

My biggest regret is not having a second battery to store more electricity. You can have all the PV's in the world but if you not using it, storing it or selling it then they are wasted. You only produce what you use.

After my solar installation I went into the roof and checked if I can see any holes from broken tiles, I had a bad experience where people work on my solar geyser and broke tiles and I only noticed it after the ceiling started to show water damage.

Lastly, take time to figure out your usage patterns and plan what is on essentials and non essentials (some inverters also have a smart essentials) because if you clever you can really stretch your solar.
Click to expand...

Yes convinced about the larger inverter. I'm a creature of habit so would be able to get into a good routine and setup an optimal process, however my girlfriend not so much which makes it difficult. Showers at random times, cooking at random times etc. So I will figure that out but it will impact my savings to cover for those scenarios.
Sidenote, I have a small Mecer inverter with a Hubble 120 which is running the TV's and home office just fine. So my plan is to actually keep that in place and maybe push the solar system a bit further to maximise savings (ie. not keep such a huge buffer in place for loadshedding). Effectively having a secondary essential layer.

Tradezzz said:
All the best!

What is your current usage?
I used on avg 18kwh per day and definitely do not regret going for 8kw, so strongly advise that. Possibly even larger depending on usage and when that usage happens.

Your budget is plenty, prices have come down a lot. So be weary of high quotes.

1. My installer said the same thing but I bought my own components so already had the Sunsynk. But this changes every month, whatever the flavor.

2. Both Sunsynk and Deye offer 10yr warranties if you pair up the inverter with their own batteries. There's no price gap anymore, Deye battery a bit higher but also higher capacity.
Click to expand...
June I went through close to R4k worth of electricity - so that's more than 30kwh per day if my calcs are right. The problem with that is most if it was for heating as my girlfriend often works throughout the night and needs to stay warm - so that will be difficult to manage and Eskom will have to keep burning some coal for me to keep that going. Maybe if I significantly increase battery capacity I will be able to cover that as well, but yeah it will be difficult. June we didn't see the sun in Cape Town, so even my solar geyser didn't bring much to the party. Tumble dryer worked overtime as well. But my poolpump didn't even run, so if think that in summer I will have my poolpump's ~6kwh per day on top of everything else...

I see I got quoted on 8 x 455W panels, they did not specified which brand so I am enquiring about that now. Thoughts on panels? I would've thought that going for a bit higher Wattage panels would make more sense? I know that Canadian solar goes up to like 600W right, but not sure what the voltage considerations should be? I did ask the guy about it and he did give a detailed answer to me as to that, but I didn't actually quite make sense of it.
 
FYI - here is the full quote. I don't see any reason why I can't share it.

1690460903748.png
 
GrootBaas said:
FYI - here is the full quote. I don't see any reason why I can't share it.

View attachment 1563246
Click to expand...
Why is there no costing on the quote for the sub DB and the DC combiner box? Those were pretty pricey on my install. Labour cost is reasonable, but you could save some money by sourcing the major components yourself. That all takes time though and not all installers will be willing to assist then with installation. If there is a failure on a component you sourced yourself, your installer might also not be willing to assist, whereas if he supplied everything you just get him in to assist if something goes wrong. It might this be risky to go that route to save some upfront costs.

Why 450W panels on a 8kw inverter? 545/550 Watt panels would be ideal and I've recently seen ads for Canadian panels in that range for as low as R 3k per panel. You could thus get a 4400W array for the quoted price of a 3600W array. In Cape Town every bit helps in the Winter.

PS. I'm also in the Northern Subburbs and have had my 11 x 460W panels now for about a month. Mine is on a 5kw inverter though.
 
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