Mike's (non-Sunsynk) System

[biena]

Trying to get a quote and recommended installer from solar advice feels like pulling teeth.

Mike who did your install ?

 

[Saba'a]

Am

Am also planning to do my geyser blanket this long weekend - we are losing a lot of heat in the geyser with the cooler temps

Yep checked and although I originally had, I guess as geysers were replaced the blankets left with the old geysers.

Ordered from Elroy Merlin as it seems a good deal.

 

[BadBoyGP]

Trying to get a quote and recommended installer from solar advice feels like pulling teeth.

Mike who did your install ?

They have many installers.

 

[Snyper564]

Am

Am also planning to do my geyser blanket this long weekend - we are losing a lot of heat in the geyser with the cooler temps

I think I need to focus on the pipe insulation more than geyser blanket, as geysers are well insulated but may as well do both.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Trying to get a quote and recommended installer from solar advice feels like pulling teeth.

Mike who did your install ?

Their own installers do it.

Didn't have an issue with the quote. Spec your system on the site, add to cart, submit and you get the quote in an automated email which you accept/reject from there.

Beyond that they should get in touch with you re payment options, site inspection, installation etc...

 

[ands45]

Hi

I'm looking at doing a solar installation and pretty much decided what I want to go with, but the inverter I want to use isn't on the city of Cape Town list. I don't want to grid tie and a couple installers have said they can do the CoC as it's an off grid but just don't want have an issue. Looking for any advice from cpt people

 

[Ianf1]

I think it balances out in the end, the more you use. For low usage there's a definite benefit on the prepaid tariff (I'm assuming because of low income households).

View attachment 1289330

I'm targeting Block 1, so even using the full 350 kWh gives you just under R600.

Once my CT is installed it'll probably be less than half that, because the timer will run at night, only requiring grid power in the early morning to heat the geyser before sunrise. Daytime it'll be powered by PV...

Mike do you a link for applying for prepaid in Joburg I have downloaded the form and sent it together with the other stuff to the email address for region. Or does this need to be physically handed in?

 

[rrh]

Mike do you a link for applying for prepaid in Joburg I have downloaded the form and sent it together with the other stuff to the email address for region. Or does this need to be physically handed in?

I went through the process last year, I documented the process & events in this thread (NB: check my following posts), which hopefully will be of assistance..

 

[BadBoyGP]

I went through the process last year, I documented the process & events in this thread (NB: check my following posts), which hopefully will be of assistance..

My issue is about 4 years ago I went to the society power offices, paid the 700 or so at the time for the conversion, supposed to have gone back 6 or so weeks later, I didn't go.

 

[rrh]

My issue is about 4 years ago I went to the society power offices, paid the 700 or so at the time for the conversion, supposed to have gone back 6 or so weeks later, I didn't go.

I have found the service from the [email protected] (where X = your region; mine is B) to be incredibly helpful, to the extent that I am singing there praises (something that I honestly never thought could or would happen )

Why not give them a try ?

Send them an email,along with details plus if possible scans of any supporting documents. You might be as surprised as I was at the outcome.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Mike do you a link for applying for prepaid in Joburg I have downloaded the form and sent it together with the other stuff to the email address for region. Or does this need to be physically handed in?

I'm not sure of the exact process, but the thread posted above is useful.

Personally my time is worth more than having to go into their offices a couple of times and deal with them, so I used Council Couriers. I think it came to R2500 for their fee + R1000-odd for the CoJ fee. And you don't have to leave your house or deal with the council...

 

[Hd7]

From my experience it's very much region specific. In my current region (C), was an absolute pleasure. Emailed the forms through, went in and applied and paid, took me about 20mins to get it done. But I'm sure for every one good experience theres 100 bad ones sadly

 

[Saba'a]

Yep checked and although I originally had, I guess as geysers were replaced the blankets left with the old geysers.

Ordered from Elroy Merlin as it seems a good deal.

If anybody still looking, I have 3 geyser blankets as I managed to buy 6 instead of 3 from leroy.

 

[ands45]

Hey all, looking at going with the Deye 5kw, have already purchased the Dyness 4.8kw battery and will be getting 8 x 460w Canadian Solar panels. My plan is to start off small and build up over time.


From the general feedback here seems like the Deye is a good choice for inverter, is there any cons to consider? I was looking at the Luxpower LXP 5kw which is slightly cheaper but am a bit torn.

 

[itareanlnotani]

Hey all, looking at going with the Deye 5kw, have already purchased the Dyness 4.8kw battery and will be getting 8 x 460w Canadian Solar panels. My plan is to start off small and build up over time.


From the general feedback here seems like the Deye is a good choice for inverter, is there any cons to consider? I was looking at the Luxpower LXP 5kw which is slightly cheaper but am a bit torn.

Deye/ Sunsynk are all the same hardware - UI is slightly different on the Sunsynk though.
Consensus is that they're decent hardware, for the price.

Any reason for 8 x 460w?

I myself have one (the 8kw unit). So far happy enough, although the web admin being locked off unless you specifically request access was annoying.

If you have the money I'd stretch to getting the 8KW unit. Otherwise you might see yourself having to get 2 x 5KW at some point depending on your needs. 5KW is generally good enough for most houses, excluding the geyser. Most geysers will have a 4kw thermostat, which will be problematic unless changed to a 2kw.

Other thoughts -
Does the Luxpower you're looking at hold NRS 97/2 certification? That is a requirement for inverters connected to the grid.
https://resource.capetown.gov.za/do.../Approved Photovoltaic (PV) Inverter List.pdf has a list of compliant inverters.

I don't have any experience with the Luxpower, suggest check powerforum.co.za and energyforum.co.za see what the consensus is.

I'd probably lean towards the Deye or Sunsynk - there are definitely thousands of happy users in SA, probably more!

 

[ands45]

Deye/ Sunsynk are all the same hardware - UI is slightly different on the Sunsynk though.
Consensus is that they're decent hardware, for the price.

Any reason for 8 x 460w?

I myself have one (the 8kw unit). So far happy enough, although the web admin being locked off unless you specifically request access was annoying.

If you have the money I'd stretch to getting the 8KW unit. Otherwise you might see yourself having to get 2 x 5KW at some point depending on your needs. 5KW is generally good enough for most houses, excluding the geyser. Most geysers will have a 4kw thermostat, which will be problematic unless changed to a 2kw.

Other thoughts -
Does the Luxpower you're looking at hold NRS 97/2 certification? That is a requirement for inverters connected to the grid.
https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms, notices, tariffs and lists/Approved Photovoltaic (PV) Inverter List.pdf has a list of compliant inverters.

I don't have any experience with the Luxpower, suggest check powerforum.co.za and energyforum.co.za see what the consensus is.

I'd probably lean towards the Deye or Sunsynk - there are definitely thousands of happy users in SA, probably more!

Thanks for the feedback, at the moment the 5kw is all I can manage, and I am fine with having to add another unit at a later stage if needed. On the panels, I was looking at the 545w panels, but the 460 seem to be more available in Cape Town and the costing is inline with my budget.

The Luxpower LXP is NRS certified and on the city's list, have checked Power Forum and is some decent feedback on them. That's the thing, Deye/SunSync pop up everywhere and are used by so many people, that's why I was a bit torn

 

[Mzezman]

Thanks for the feedback, at the moment the 5kw is all I can manage, and I am fine with having to add another unit at a later stage if needed. On the panels, I was looking at the 545w panels, but the 460 seem to be more available in Cape Town and the costing is inline with my budget.

The Luxpower LXP is NRS certified and on the city's list, have checked Power Forum and is some decent feedback on them. That's the thing, Deye/SunSync pop up everywhere and are used by so many people, that's why I was a bit torn

The 5kw is suitable for most usage scenarios - we run our whole house off it and even use it to power the geyser + oven on good solar days. There might be some usage monitoring you'l need to implement if your house uses a lot of power. Stove is gas. I also have the Dyness 4.8 and its a good battery - no issues at all - its also pretty easy to add more units - bought the first one in November and installed a second 6 weeks ago.

 

[itareanlnotani]

Thanks for the feedback, at the moment the 5kw is all I can manage, and I am fine with having to add another unit at a later stage if needed. On the panels, I was looking at the 545w panels, but the 460 seem to be more available in Cape Town and the costing is inline with my budget.

The Luxpower LXP is NRS certified and on the city's list, have checked Power Forum and is some decent feedback on them. That's the thing, Deye/SunSync pop up everywhere and are used by so many people, that's why I was a bit torn

I'd probably lean towards the Deye or Sunsynk - purely because they have local support agents, and parts seem to be readily available.

That might be an issue if Luxpower doesn't take sufficient market share and pulls out at some point.

Panel pricing has been a bit wobbly, suggest check what the best bang / buck is at the moment. It does change with supplier stock.
This also does depend on your roof size - if you have less space - go for a more *efficient* panel (higher watts doesn't necessarily mean more efficient!). If you don't have space issues, then go for whats most bang/buck.

When I bought mine in 2020, the 395W were at the sweet spot.
Right now I think the 545w are the ones to look at, so I would probably look at those.
Do check that your inverter can support the string size.

8 or 9 x 545 should be within the 5KW MPPT range, but do check first. Your installer if you deem to use one should be able to advise too.

Get 9 if it does fit - more generation is always cheaper than more storage, and you'll thank me on overcast days/winter

 

[ands45]

The 5kw is suitable for most usage scenarios - we run our whole house off it and even use it to power the geyser + oven on good solar days. There might be some usage monitoring you'l need to implement if your house uses a lot of power. Stove is gas. I also have the Dyness 4.8 and its a good battery - no issues at all - its also pretty easy to add more units - bought the first one in November and installed a second 6 weeks ago.

Good to know it works well with the Dyness. We are not a heavy usage household, so I think 5kw will suit our needs for the moment as well (it is also the size the installers I have contacted recommended)

 

[ands45]

I'd probably lean towards the Deye or Sunsynk - purely because they have local support agents, and parts seem to be readily available.

That might be an issue if Luxpower doesn't take sufficient market share and pulls out at some point.

Panel pricing has been a bit wobbly, suggest check what the best bang / buck is at the moment. It does change with supplier stock.
This also does depend on your roof size - if you have less space - go for a more *efficient* panel (higher watts doesn't necessarily mean more efficient!). If you don't have space issues, then go for whats most bang/buck.

When I bought mine in 2020, the 395W were at the sweet spot.
Right now I think the 545w are the ones to look at, so I would probably look at those.
Do check that your inverter can support the string size.

8 or 9 x 545 should be within the 5KW MPPT range, but do check first. Your installer if you deem to use one should be able to advise too.

Get 9 if it does fit - more generation is always cheaper than more storage, and you'll thank me on overcast days/winter

You make a good point on the support in future, that might be a reason to take the Deye as they are very established in the market. As for pricing, it just suited my budget at the moment, with the plan to add more panels in future. I can get 8 545w panels for about 3.3k more than 8 460w. It really depends on the installation quotes I get back (hopefully should have them in next day or so). Need to have the full budget to work out what I can get. I have enough roof space luckily, I that the great thing about the 2 mppts, as not all the space is the same direction.