New to solar, need advice.

[saa044]

Good day all, so I jumped into this solar pond head first, not really looking at inverter types, but rather KW. I got the following.

Rentech Jaguar Solar Inverter

The The Sun Pays 350W panels

The obvious other things like extra DB boxes, all installed by a pro with a certificate.

What I want to find out, because I jumped in headfirst and only gained some knowledge afterward, I found out that I don't have a Hybrid inverter, aka one that blends Eskom and solar power. So my temporary solution at trying to save on electricity costs is to put the inverter in solar mode (it has a third SBU priority also, not sure what that is, the description looks similar to solar mode), which works well, but often runs off of batteries also. On the batteries side, I changed the low battery warning from 23v up to 25.5v, so that solar first mode does not drain my batteries completely. Often it will switch between inverter and grid power, maybe 3 times a day. Are my computer and electronics safe? I am worried that the switch from solar to grid and back might damage my pc. Also, am I saving, or must I just switch the inverter back to grid first option?

The load at most times will be 2 computers browsing the net or streaming, lights, fridge and a phone or two charging.

 

[TheRidDlerX]

In terms of safety u should be fine, the inverter is built to handle the types of transitions whilst also isolating your loads from wave spikes when it happens and keep a steady pure sine. As for the grid first vs solar that's up to you, how quickly do u want your batteries back to a state where they can act as a backup for grid loss

 

[saa044]

In terms of safety u should be fine, the inverter is built to handle the types of transitions whilst also isolating your loads from wave spikes when it happens and keep a steady pure sine. As for the grid first vs solar that's up to you, how quickly do u want your batteries back to a state where they can act as a backup for grid loss

That I am not 100% sure about. I figured out that the batteries are full at 27.5, and my custom low battery warning is set to 25.5. I am just not sure if I am saving on grid electricity with two panels and the inverter switching between solar first and grid first 3 or 4 times a day. I initially got this as a backup system in the first place, but would be a bonus if it can save me some money on electricity costs lol.

 

[saa044]

I see now on program 16 that I can choose CSO (Solar energy will charge batteries as first priority. The utility will only charge if solar is not available). This might work now in conjunction with program two, which is either SOL first or SBU first, which one of the two is better?

EDIT

Think I got it now.
Program 2 on SBU.
program 16 on CSO
This Should (I hope) save on some utility power lol.

 

[TheRidDlerX]

I remember having the same kind of internal struggle about what the system should be prioritised for when I got it initially. The first challenge was always how to swap between the two priorities for your particular devices. Now that you know how to change between being a backup system for when there's an emergency and in general saving funds I suggest keeping it on the front saving until you get that warning from the eskom app that problems are incoming. I used to run my battery down to 25% for the first few months but when we hit a week of load shedding I told it to use battery power below 70% unless the grid fails and after a failure prioritise bringing the batteries back up to full before assisting with the load. The cost savings are still there overall regardless of what priority you put on your batteries but the batteries will not always be able to last thru hours long blackouts

 

[TheChamp]

Something else to note is that your inverter is a modified sine wave inverter which is not good for appliances with Motors like fridges etc. It's reflected in the price though so that must have rung bells at some point.

SBU means solar first, if solar is not enough solar plus battery if both are not enough then it jumps to utility.

 

[saa044]

Something else to note is that your inverter is a modified sine wave inverter which is not good for appliances with Motors like fridges etc. It's reflected in the price though so that must have rung bells at some point.

SBU means solar first, if solar is not enough solar plus battery if both are not enough then it jumps to utility.

I put it on solar first now, as that also uses battery. SBU charges the battery during the night, then goes onto battery, rinse and repeat. So will see how solar first does tomorrow hehe. Also before last week I knew little about solar inverters, i always do the research after a purchase, for some stupid reason. But lesson learned.

 

[TheChamp]

I put it on solar first now, as that also uses battery. SBU charges the battery during the night, then goes onto battery, rinse and repeat. So will see how solar first does tomorrow hehe. Also before last week I knew little about solar inverters, i always do the research after a purchase, for some stupid reason. But lesson learned.

Which batteries are you using?

 

[saa044]

I won't mind getting a Hybrid inverter, but I don't want something that could power a mansion, I guess 5KW will do. What do you guys suggest? Stick with Rentech, or must I get something else? Also what's the odds of selling a week old 2.5KW inverter?

 

[saa044]

Which batteries are you using?

4 of them, I know, I could have gotten 1 better battery for just over R10000, two of these came with my trolley inverter I purchased at 3 November.

 

[TheChamp]

I won't mind getting a Hybrid inverter, but I don't want something that could power a mansion, I guess 5KW will do. What do you guys suggest? Stick with Rentech, or must I get something else? Also what's the odds of selling a week old 2.5KW inverter?

Wait for loadshedding to come back and sell it here on the forum there'll be lots of people running around looking for inverters.

Don't play around with your money get something proper that is value for money.

Growatt SPF 5000 ES 5kVA 5kW 48V Hybrid Inverter with WiFi

Functions Integrated MPPT charger controller. Equalization charging function. Max PV input up to 450vDC. Choose grid or solar input priority. WIFI/GPRS remote monitoring. Parallel up to 6 inverters. PV & Grid Power combine if PV energy is insufficient for load. Flexible schedule for charging and...

www.sustainable.co.za

It can blend PV with Eskom and has built in wifi, I can't think of anything that beats that for value. Check for the best offer at different shops.

 

[Speedster]

View attachment 1214910
4 of them, I know, I could have gotten 1 better battery for just over R10000, two of these came with my trolley inverter I purchased at 3 November.

Installers who sell lead-acid batteries for solar should be shot

 

[saa044]

Wait for loadshedding to come back and sell it here on the forum there'll be lots of people running around looking for inverters.

Don't play around with your money get something proper that is value for money.

Growatt SPF 5000 ES 5kVA 5kW 48V Hybrid Inverter with WiFi

Functions Integrated MPPT charger controller. Equalization charging function. Max PV input up to 450vDC. Choose grid or solar input priority. WIFI/GPRS remote monitoring. Parallel up to 6 inverters. PV & Grid Power combine if PV energy is insufficient for load. Flexible schedule for charging and...

www.sustainable.co.za

It can blend PV with Eskom and has built in wifi, I can't think of anything that beats that for value. Check for the best offer at different shops.

I think you are right, I will start to justify this once I sold my trolley inverter, can probably maybe get R3000 - R3500 for it I guess. After that I will invest in this one you posted, then from there sell my 2400va inverter. It's a good one, just kicking my ass for not doing proper research before the purchase.

 

[saa044]

Installers who sell lead-acid batteries for solar should be shot

I think they are good for 5 years at least right? Will save up in that time hehe.

 

[Speedster]

I think you are right, I will start to justify this once I sold my trolley inverter, can probably maybe get R3000 - R3500 for it I guess. After that I will invest in this one you posted, then from there sell my 2400va inverter. It's a good one, just kicking my ass for not doing proper research before the purchase.

What makes you think that?

 

[Speedster]

I think they are good for 5 years at least right? Will save up in that time hehe.

Depends on usage. They provide very limited power (max 50% of their rated power), require careful management and are expensive for what they offer.

 

[saa044]

What makes you think that?

It works, for now. Or from my noob perspective, it's good at least.

 

[saa044]

Depends on usage. They provide very limited power (max 50% of their rated power), require careful management and are expensive for what they offer.

Can I sell them also? lol

 

[Speedster]

It works, for now. Or from my noob perspective, it's good at least.

It's modified sine. Depending on what you want to use it, I guess it could be good enough. It'll give problems for a number of device types.

 

[Speedster]

Can I sell them also? lol

You could sell anything, if you can find a buyer. If you only want backup for load shedding they'll do fine. If you're looking for daily use in an energy storage system they're definitely not the way to go.