Portable Solar System

VooDooC

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Joined
May 19, 2009
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1,967
So I live in a complex type situation and really do not use a lot of power a month, according to my monthly bill it's about R300 a month on electricity.

I'm seriously considering getting some kind of solar solution but I won't be able to put up something on the roof (Duplex so the unit on top owns the roof) so was wondering would some kind of portable solution work? It doesn't even have to run the whole house, as long as it can give me the necessary power to charge the batteries during the day so that I can run my PC/Router and or TV.

I have an inverter at the moment and it worked OK until the batteries got stuffed up due to the constant on and off in our area (also I didn't always switch the inverter off once the batteries reached under 50% so that's on me). Also at the rate things are going, we might not even have enough power to charge the batteries via the grid to full before the next session of loadshedding starts.
 

TheRoDent

Cool Ideas Rep
Joined
Aug 6, 2003
Messages
6,218
If you're paying R300 a month for power I wouldn't even bother with solar. Just get new batteries, and/or increase the number of batteries on your inverter.

R300 a month power... Do you only cook on gas, and/or braai?
 

zerocool2009

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Sep 4, 2009
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If you're paying R300 a month for power I wouldn't even bother with solar. Just get new batteries, and/or increase the number of batteries on your inverter.

R300 a month power... Do you only cook on gas, and/or braai?

I use 185kw a month. Its now roughly R500 / month
 

Zophos

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Jun 3, 2017
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2,113
A small pole mount Solar system might be the solution for your situation, but you might want to log onto powerforum for more advice : https://powerforum.co.za/

1656662201007.png 1656662543162.png

https://www.valsa.co.za/pole-mounting-solutions/pole-mounting-solutions-solutions/

Also might look at a sun tracking system, to fully utilize a small install

For long term - might start investing in a small system - Lithium option is a bit expensive, I will look for cheaper options with Lithium as battery

https://www.livestainable.co.za/product/blue-nova-cps-3000-2-8k-compact-power-station/

Edit:

Specs pm Blue Nova system, already "Solar panel ready"

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https://www.sustainable.co.za/colle...s-3000-2-8k-3-0kva-2-4kw-2-8kwh-power-station
 
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Benedict A55h0le

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Oct 21, 2020
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6,199
Are you sure the roof is owned by the unit above? If you can`t use the roof, and you can`t mount a solar panel, then I recommend moving away, sooner rather than later.
 

warwickw

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Feb 8, 2008
Messages
1,658
I use 185kw a month. Its now roughly R500 / month

I could only wish. Keep up the good work ;)

My base load is more than that for our house. Just to keep the fridge, router, wifi, switch, alarm and camera's operational is 285W, so over a month is around the 200kw alone.
 

Hd7

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2021
Messages
117
3 bedroom full title house! Lol
How exactly are you managing this?

Agreed that full scale solar is overkill for OP. Inverter and battery should do it and if you really need to charge via solar, a couple of camping panels should cover your needs. What inverter do you currently have?
 

zerocool2009

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Joined
Sep 4, 2009
Messages
8,832
How exactly are you managing this?

Agreed that full scale solar is overkill for OP. Inverter and battery should do it and if you really need to charge via solar, a couple of camping panels should cover your needs. What inverter do you currently have?

How do I manage this? Think the biggest thing I started doing switching my geyser off and on manually for 20 years! 30 min of hot water is all I need daily
 
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