Plan to fix Eskom, remove 100MW embedded generation limit, buy more private power

[Lupus]

You would need something like the Sunsynk and a CT coil to measure the current flowing between inverter and meter.

Makes sense

 

[Speedster]

I probably would yeah, as I've only ever peaked at 3.5kw/h on Sunday at about noon that was dishwasher and kettle

Since you're now part of the solar club you'll need to work on your units, or we'll have to revoke your membership card (also it's confusing as hell trying to determine what people mean when they use the wrong units).

W = watt: measurement of instantaneous power consumption
kW = kilowatt: 1000 watts
Wh = watt-hour: unit of energy equal to one watt of power sustained for one hour.
kWh = kilowatt-hour: 1000 watt-hours
kW/h = kilowatts per hour: I have no freaking clue, the unit makes no logical sense

 

[Lupus]

Since you're now part of the solar club you'll need to work on your units, or we'll have to revoke your membership card (also it's confusing as hell trying to determine what people mean when they use the wrong units).

W = watt: measurement of instantaneous power consumption
kW = kilowatt: 1000 watts
Wh = watt-hour: unit of energy equal to one watt of power sustained for one hour.
kWh = kilowatt-hour: 1000 watt-hours
kW/h = kilowatts per hour: I have no freaking clue, the unit makes no logical sense

It's like km/h the / is for per . So if my panels were generating 3.5kw and I would've been using 3.1? how does that translate?

 

[wingnut771]

Makes sense

The point I was making was the OP mentioned R100k setup without batteries, so the inverter that can do this would cost more, but then I crunched the numbers after posting and 5kWp panels and 5kW inverter would be around R70k, so I guess I don't really have a point

 

[Lupus]

The point I was making was the OP mentioned R100k setup without batteries, so the inverter that can do this would cost more, but then I crunched the numbers after posting and 5kWp panels and inverter would be around R70k, so I guess I don't really have a point

Round and round we go but yeah I don't see how it would be R100k for panels and inverter, sure I think the sunsky would've added 12k to my bill.

 

[Speedster]

It's like km/h the / is for per . So if my panels were generating 3.5kw and I would've been using 3.1? how does that translate?

Any instantaneous production/consumption is measured in kW. kWh refers to how much was used over time.

If you think of a tap running water, the rate at which the water coming out of the tap is kW. kWh would be the amount of water in the basin.

 

[Lupus]

Any instantaneous production/consumption is measured in kW. kWh refers to how much was used over time.

If you think of a tap running water, the speed at which the water coming out of the tap is kW. kWh would be the amount of water in the basin.

So the kettle boiling for 3 minutes would translate to 0.3kWh while the solar panels were generating 3.5kW cool got it.

 

[Speedster]

So the kettle boiling for 3 minutes would translate to 0.3kWh while the solar panels were generating 3.5kW cool got it.

YES!!

Except that it would be a pretty mean ass 6kW kettle

 

[Oldfut]

YES!!

Except that it would be a pretty mean ass 6kW kettle

This is a worthwhile inset because I'm guessing that even though your kettle only boiled for 3 minutes it needed 1kW (or whatever it's power demand is) for that period. Ditto the dishwasher; it may need 2kW for 10 minutes while it heats, 0.5kW for the rest of the cycle; with some ups and downs. I also guess you have to be able to supply the combined peak if you want to use these appliances.

Seriously nice system you have.

 

[Speedster]

So the kettle boiling for 3 minutes would translate to 0.3kWh while the solar panels were generating 3.5kW cool got it.

One more unit you will see often in solar is kWp. This is kilowatt-peak and refers to the rated total production capacity of the panels.

 

[Lupus]

YES!!

Except that it would be a pretty mean ass 6kW kettle

Example

 

[Lupus]

This is a worthwhile inset because I'm guessing that even though your kettle only boiled for 3 minutes it needed 1kW (or whatever it's power demand is) for that period. Ditto the dishwasher; it may need 2kW for 10 minutes while it heats, 0.5kW for the rest of the cycle; with some ups and downs. I also guess you have to be able to supply the combined peak if you want to use these appliances.

Seriously nice system you have.

Well the kettle was 1.3kw and the dishwasher is about 2.2kw so the total it drew at noon was 3.5kw. My total peak my panels can do is 4.3, the dishwasher does cycle between 400 to 2.2 or so.

 

[Speedster]

This is a worthwhile inset because I'm guessing that even though your kettle only boiled for 3 minutes it needed 1kW (or whatever it's power demand is) for that period. Ditto the dishwasher; it may need 2kW for 10 minutes while it heats, 0.5kW for the rest of the cycle; with some ups and downs. I also guess you have to be able to supply the combined peak if you want to use these appliances.

Seriously nice system you have.

Correct. When designing a solar system you need to consider the peak power requirement, i.e. how much power should the system be able to provide as well as the energy consumption, i.e. how many watt hours will be required in a given day.

 

[yogidabear]

Why is Cyril now advocating the use of solar at home, and even encouraging feeding in to the grid? This to me always seemed like a no brainer and lots of other countries do this successfully.

However from what I have read Eskom doesnt want us to do this and considers it bad, as they have to ramp up delivery in the evening. Have never understood this as surely we pull far more power in the day with industry operating. So I assumed powerstation A is supplying industrial area 1 in the day, and our grid does not allow us to seamlessly switch that to residential area 1 in the evening. Which all other countries can do?

Anybody know why Eskom doesnt like solar at home, and Cyril now does? What changed?

 

[Lupus]

Why is Cyril now advocating the use of solar at home, and even encouraging feeding in to the grid? This to me always seemed like a no brainer and lots of other countries do this successfully.

However from what I have read Eskom doesnt want us to do this and considers it bad, as they have to ramp up delivery in the evening. Have never understood this as surely we pull far more power in the day with industry operating. So I assumed powerstation A is supplying industrial area 1 in the day, and our grid does not allow us to seamlessly switch that to residential area 1 in the evening. Which all other countries can do?

Anybody know why Eskom doesnt like solar at home, and Cyril now does? What changed?

No we don't pull more power during the day, we actually pull the most between 5am to 10am and 5pm to 10pm. People being home spikes the load at time for people cooking, bathing and such.

 

[grok]

Why is Cyril now advocating the use of solar at home, and even encouraging feeding in to the grid? This to me always seemed like a no brainer and lots of other countries do this successfully.

However from what I have read Eskom doesnt want us to do this and considers it bad, as they have to ramp up delivery in the evening. Have never understood this as surely we pull far more power in the day with industry operating. So I assumed powerstation A is supplying industrial area 1 in the day, and our grid does not allow us to seamlessly switch that to residential area 1 in the evening. Which all other countries can do?

Anybody know why Eskom doesnt like solar at home, and Cyril now does? What changed?

The answer is in the name.. Eksdom!

Also Cyril & them are still living in the time of Stalin around the change of the century when big guava mints still thought they knew what's best for the people, probably can't help it since there's no name for solar in Pedi..

 

[Iwojima]

Why is Cyril now advocating the use of solar at home, and even encouraging feeding in to the grid? This to me always seemed like a no brainer and lots of other countries do this successfully.

However from what I have read Eskom doesnt want us to do this and considers it bad, as they have to ramp up delivery in the evening. Have never understood this as surely we pull far more power in the day with industry operating. So I assumed powerstation A is supplying industrial area 1 in the day, and our grid does not allow us to seamlessly switch that to residential area 1 in the evening. Which all other countries can do?

Anybody know why Eskom doesnt like solar at home, and Cyril now does? What changed?

1) Most large industrials operate into the late hours, not just during "office" hours
2) Reducing day-time demand can translate into less pumped storage being utilized, less diesel being burnt (if in a supply deficit), which allows deferment of these sources and cost savings.

 

[yogidabear]

No we don't pull more power during the day, we actually pull the most between 5am to 10am and 5pm to 10pm. People being home spikes the load at time for people cooking, bathing and such.

Thank you that helps and suppose the up to 10am could be geysers after everybody showered before leaving home. Still not sure why other countries incentivise people to use solar, but maybe they assume if you do you have adequate storage to see you through to the next day, which isnt always the case. Still dont know why Cyril says this is part of the solution unless he also assumes we will all add solar and sufficient battery storage to last the night.

Although a lot of places have different tariffs for different times, meaning some places you get charged peak and off peak. So that could be the end goal, eliminate peaks with a combination of solar and battery.

You could even feedback in to the grid between certain hours from your batteries to score if they paid you more for it as well. So power your neighbours stove at night.