Off the grid - Electricity

90k is not really doable with what they quote, but they do not say what brands they are using. Just note that there is no way you can go off grid with that system. You need at the very least 3x your daily usage in batteries, preferably 5x. You also should not expect 20kwh per day for most of SA with that system, you probably need at least 8 of those panels to get there.
Play around here:

JRC Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) - European Commission

Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS)
re.jrc.ec.europa.eu re.jrc.ec.europa.eu

You can also add batteries and see what the likelihood of running out is for a specific size. (just make sure to set azimuth to 180 for north-facing in SA)
 
so R90k is a bluff for now and will never be fully off the grid ?

most of the tech is foreign to me so i have no idea

but i think alot more research is needed

my home isnt a big house around 150sqm in total

is there a company you guys can suggest i call to get more info ?
 
My system went live Sunday afternoon I looked at 5 different places and the route via Stefan at the power forum was the cheapest hands down and that was still around R190k for the following:

8.8Kw sunsynk inverter
12X535w panels
3X5.5Kw Hubble Am2
+ installation and everything else needed.

I will do a separate thread but as someone mentioned that price is suspiciously cheap. The fact that brands etc are not mentioned in the ad is also concerning. Dont rush into this venture it can cost you dearly.

Had to remove some trees so the newly planted one will be cut to trimmed to size

1635860700859.png

Werner Heydenrych also did one beautiful install with is team. Their attention to detail and clean site working practices puts many other contractors I have dealt with in the past to shame.

1635860764864.png

Current production with batteries charged fully at 11:30-12:00. Then solar production matches load for the rest of the day.

1635860978749.png
 
I.am.Sam said:
@Snyper564 is that fully off the grid ?

how much does that system produce a day ?
Click to expand...
Don't go fully off grid. Keep grid as a prepaid backup option in the event that your system doesn't generate enough.

I'm going with this, but swapping out the battery for the 9.6kw one and adding 20 panels. The estimate is R180k incl installation.

solaradvice.co.za

Hybrid 8kW - Wall-Mounted Backup - Solar Power Kit

8kW Hybrid Solar Power Kit with a 4.8kWh and 9.6kWh Wall Mounted options, Lithium Battery is ideal for the Home & Business. Kit comes with everything you need.
solaradvice.co.za solaradvice.co.za

I would say get the best inverter you can afford as a start. Something like an 8kw one that can scale on panels and batteries so you can just keep adding to it as you need...
 
WAslayer said:
What are you going to do during the rainy months in Cape town for electricity with a fully off grid solar system..?
Click to expand...

I don’t think you can legally go off grid in Cape Town anyway.

Unless there is no power to start with that is.
 
I.am.Sam said:
so R90k is a bluff for now and will never be fully off the grid ?

most of the tech is foreign to me so i have no idea

but i think alot more research is needed

my home isnt a big house around 150sqm in total

is there a company you guys can suggest i call to get more info ?
Click to expand...
It's not the size of the roof that's important but the orientation.
With R90 000 you won't be completely off grid. You also need to think about hidden costs like how old is the wiring in your house.
I second the power forum for getting more info. If you want a quote rather WhatsApp the number on the power forum sales website because you get faster replies than via email.
 
I.am.Sam said:
Hello all

so with loadshedding and Eskom increases im thinking about going solar

anyone do this to they house ?

came across this ad on facebook

i assume we use between 10-20kwh per day

anyone experience this during winter ?

does the numbers drop big time (shorter hours)

any recommendations as to who else can offer a better cheaper service
View attachment 1179864
Click to expand...
Alternative energy scammers abound during loadshedding, be sure that before you part with good money, that you have a plan to hunt down and recover your money.

Look at this thread, but note that some domains change faster than you change your underwear:
powerforum.co.za

Anyone order from wholesale solar before

I have been looking for lithium ion batteries for a new solar setup for a while now. I'm about to buy some pylontech us3000 batteries, but the found the following batteries by clicking on a google add: http://solarenergyrsa.co.za/?product=12kwh-lithium-ion-batteries-with-10yrs-warranty-last-chanc...
powerforum.co.za powerforum.co.za

Except SolarBoks in PE Geqberqgwah, they are cheapskate scammers and never change domains.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Don't go fully off grid. Keep grid as a prepaid backup option in the event that your system doesn't generate enough.

I'm going with this, but swapping out the battery for the 9.6kw one and adding 20 panels. The estimate is R180k incl installation.

solaradvice.co.za

Hybrid 8kW - Wall-Mounted Backup - Solar Power Kit

8kW Hybrid Solar Power Kit with a 4.8kWh and 9.6kWh Wall Mounted options, Lithium Battery is ideal for the Home & Business. Kit comes with everything you need.
solaradvice.co.za solaradvice.co.za

I would say get the best inverter you can afford as a start. Something like an 8kw one that can scale on panels and batteries so you can just keep adding to it as you need...
Click to expand...
My 16.5kw batteries are charged by 11.30/12 on my (12*535w array) at this point I'm considering another battery before more panels.

Also agree use eskom as a backup going off grid is a massive lifestyle change not needed tbh.


Please everyone make sure shade is not an issue, it plays a massive impact on production.

I removed two palm trees to ensure full sun.

If one panel is covered in an array of 20 you will have prettt much 0. Not 19/20
 
Tomtomtom said:
This is the problem.

Maybe capacity is down 50% after 2 years. Then what?

If self-generation was such a financial no-brainer then people would be falling over themselves to finance it for you rather than asking for all your money up-front.
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Lithium do not degrade that quickly. My system has been running for 15 months and only lost 2% capacity in that time.

It is currently more feasible to finance solar + lithium currently. Many just don't have the risk appetite to do it. I've written an article showing the calculations.
 
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I.am.Sam said:
yeah true but not many people would finance these deals as they can take a loss which is worse for them

not many people have the cash laying around as well

but yes thats what im asking from guys who have solar. Whats the life expentancy like ?

is the claims far from the truth ?
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Can't comment on this system.

But this mine after a R230k investment.

Already saved over R44k with total investment recovered by December 2024.

Graph I plotted a while back Screenshot_20211102-223946_SOLARMAN%20Smart.jpgScreenshot_20211102-224004_SOLARMAN%20Smart.jpgScreenshot_20211102-224351_Excel.jpg
 
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starmage said:
  • 3kVA Victron Multiplus II GX
  • 150/45 Victron Bluesolar MPPT
  • 150/70 Victron SmartSolar MPPT
  • 2 x Pylontech US3000B, 1 x Pylontech US3000C
  • 6x355w Canadian Solar PV array
  • 6x450w Peimar PV array

    Cost me about +-R200 000. From around 1 Oct it produces at least 20kwh/day (could do more, but I have nothing to use the excess power on). June-Aug I usually struggle to get at least 15Kwh/day.
    Been in a bit more than a year now. Used to use 600+ units a month, this is now down to about +-70 per month in summer (depends on no of rainy days) and +-150 in June/July/Aug (depends heavily on how cold it is) --My last Tswane electricity bill was only R300 but that includes the connnection charge etc
    2 of us. Includes both cooking + geyser.
    Batteries goes down to +-40% daily.
Click to expand...

That's your problem. Going victron is expensive when there are better options in the market.

8kw sunsynk
4 x US3000 pylontech batteries
34 x 305w Canadian solar panels
Total including installation R230k.

Edit

Three times the production of your system for almost the same capital outlay.
 
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WAslayer said:
What are you going to do during the rainy months in Cape town for electricity with a fully off grid solar system..?
Click to expand...

well not fully off the grid. the aim is to be off the grid for as much as possible. atleast 8-10 months of the year running on solar

yes cpt winter and rainy weather will be the exception
 
AchmatK said:
That's your problem. Going victron is expensive when there are better options in the market.

8kw sunsynk
4 x US3000 pylontech batteries
34 x 305w Canadian solar panels
Total including installation R230k.

Edit

Three times the production of your system for almost the same capital outlay.
Click to expand...

i have read victron is the best

but you pay premium for it
 
I.am.Sam said:
well not fully off the grid. the aim is to be off the grid for as much as possible. atleast 8-10 months of the year running on solar

yes cpt winter and rainy weather will be the exception
Click to expand...
Then the terminology you want to use is grid tied..
 
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