Planning a solar system

[AchmatK]

To me balanced does not mean # of panels, but electrically (wattage wise). I know that yours works well, so there may be an allowable threshold, but then again it's not me saying that, I am quoting Keith Gough. He also never stated what may happen if they weren't balanced, but I am sure that he he may have good reason for saying it, and not only once, I have heard it in a number of his training videos. I always understood it to be the MPPTs.

Voltage and current for my two MPPTs.

I think the recent software update that I had them roll back for me could hint at this as the inverter kept both strings at the same current resulting in me missing ⅓ of my pv generation.

 

[richjdavies]

Quick follow up... Related.

Been told solar panels (in SA at least) have shot up in price....anyone else seeing this?

 

[Steijn1]

The whole point of dual MPPTs is the benefit of being able to connect different sized strings or having string that are on different roofs.

This is exactly my worry.
Based on the configuration of my roof, I have no idea how I am going to balance the strings for the mppts

 

[cobusv]

Might be worthwhile going and checking these guys out,

https://www.metrowatt.co.za/products/

i see that they have a rental option that might work for some

 

[RonSwanson]

Quick follow up... Related.

Been told solar panels (in SA at least) have shot up in price....anyone else seeing this?

Confirmed. It's all over though, huge demand in China, chip shortage. And then our special sauce: the weak rand, so we get the table scraps after everyone else has eaten.

 

[Next Thing]

The wiring on the property is weird, we can't quite figure out why the consumption is so high.

Use something like this and check each circuit. I have had a faulty compressor in fridges etc causing crap

 

[Next Thing]

The wiring is old and the main distribution box seems to make a buzzing sound which the electrician could explain aside from saying that it's when the geysers kick in (although the timing doesn't match up.) Not sure what's going on there.

Generally buzzing is a faulty breaker or dodgy/loose connection

 

[richjdavies]

Confirmed. It's all over though, huge demand in China, chip shortage. And then our special sauce: the weak rand, so we get the table scraps after everyone else has eaten.

So... In the context of planning a solar system. How much should people expect to pay for the panels now, Vs say 6 months ago?

 

[Next Thing]

This is exactly my worry.
Based on the configuration of my roof, I have no idea how I am going to balance the strings for the mppts

I have a Sunsynk 8K unit with dual mppt. Mine is East / West Facing and from that I get a wider input of PV
One side starts earlier/ Other side finishes later

Mine is the same number of panels each side

 

[Next Thing]

Also on the "Rent" Option. I dont see the use in it. With Eskom pricing going the way it is the return on investment is actually quite short. Rather buy it outright and reap the return later

 

[itareanlnotani]

So... In the context of planning a solar system. How much should people expect to pay for the panels now, Vs say 6 months ago?

10% more since Nov.

We're at R6/W a panel now again.

Is mostly rand/shipping, plus silicon ingot pricing went up.
It's not chip shortage.

 

[Crusader]

If I order this Efergy would it have everything I need to monitor usage? https://www.geewiz.co.za/smart-home...-energy-power-wattage-monitor-watt-meter.html

 

[W@P]

If I order this Efergy would it have everything I need to monitor usage? https://www.geewiz.co.za/smart-home...-energy-power-wattage-monitor-watt-meter.html

It would seem so yes. I have the Engage Hub Kit. That connects to your home network. You then log in on the portal to see the stats. The one you posted looks like it is a stand-alone unit without the hub that connects to your network. Could be wrong. But it should work.

I see you can export the CSV files with a flash drive.

 

[W@P]

It looks like stock is a bit of an issue atm.

 

[Crusader]

It looks like stock is a bit of an issue atm.

Yeah, the standalone one seems to be only one there's currently stock of.

 

[Crusader]

Generally buzzing is a faulty breaker or dodgy/loose connection

The sounds seems to be coming from the meter itself (the bit with the spinning disk). And the municipal electrician was the one who said it's due to the geysers kicking in.

 

[AchmatK]

The sounds seems to be coming from the meter itself (the bit with the spinning disk). And the municipal electrician was the one who said it's due to the geysers kicking in.

Do you have a ripple device?

I don't think they use these anymore and you could have them remove it or get an electrician to remove it.

Mine was disconnected before I moved in by the previous owner.

 

[Crusader]

Do you have a ripple device?

I don't think they use these anymore and you could have them remove it or get an electrician to remove it.

Mine was disconnected before I moved in by the previous owner.

I don't know what that is so I'm not sure.

 

[AchmatK]

I don't know what that is so I'm not sure.

It's a device that many older homes has whereby the municipality could manually turn your geyser off during high electricity demand periods.

If you still have a spinning disk meter then you must likely have a ripple device installed.

 

[AchmatK]

This is what mine looked like. The top small box above the DB.