Power solution worth it?

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Saba'a

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Is this a
1. Good system?
2. Value for money system?
3. Reputable company?
5534fc72dacc1e5892f4f1fa2ab64be2.jpg
 
And another but no installation included one!
e52ac8bb9f4b0a09c949df2d58a939b1.jpg
 
My suggestion is before spending all that money research the topic your self you will find that its actually easy to setup and install all you the need is a qualified electrician to sign off your install you will end up saving about half that price
 
adielk said:
Is this a
1. Good system?
2. Value for money system?
3. Reputable company?
5534fc72dacc1e5892f4f1fa2ab64be2.jpg
Click to expand...
This looks like value for money to me, the inverter alone cost over R60k, plus about R15k for the panels, R42k for the battery. That's already R117k for the three major components at retail prices and that excludes a lot of other hardware necessary for a complete installation.

I unfortunately don't know anything about the company but what you can do is get the details and verify them against the accreditation bodies that they claim to be certified with, if that is found wanting you already know what you dealing with.
 
Carlos1975 said:
My suggestion is before spending all that money research the topic your self you will find that its actually easy to setup and install all you the need is a qualified electrician to sign off your install you will end up saving about half that price
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Not so easy on the victrons. You need some specific interface cables AFAIK.
 
It's a well know company around the globe however they well known for their pricing too all in saying is there are other options outhere even better quality sometimes dobt just take the 1st option and run with it research it yourself before spending that kind of cash you dont buy twice.

By doning research I saved about 25 -30 k
Already and this is just the 1st phase with 3 more phases to go imagine what saving I'll have by the end of my investment

I know its convenient to go to a shop get what they think is your needs and wants and pay and go but... me being in sales myself I know how you that plays out.
 
Victron has good hardware. Software is a bit wonky if you have more advanced esoteric needs, but they do update regularly.

I currently run a mix of Victron (3KW inverter) + FM80 (MPPT from panels) + 10KW LFP + 10KW Dead Acid (left mine connected, as the LFP has its own BMS, and it won't make much difference having both connected)

The Victron all in one 5KW they're offering is about 50k
The panels around 2k each x 6 = 12k
Mounting, say 2-3k (i'll use 3k)
Install x 1 day - 5k
Engineering Signoff+ CoC - 7k
Shoto 4.8kw Battery - 25k odd

Total cost = 102k odd (incl). so they're making 20k on that +-, which is fair.

Its also going to be able to get you a signoff in Cape Town, and other "hard" muni's.

---

The other system uses Lead Acid (half the actual capacity, and take off 10% for actual size), and the equipment is not certified for some muni's. Rough calc - 200ah x 4 x 12 = 9600. / 2 = 4800 = 4320W/hr battery (4.3KWhr) available to use, and will decrease in capacity to probably 2k usable after about 4-5 years.

Given that the inverter is not permitted in an increasing number of muni's, and lead acid is best avoided, I would say spend more and get something which will last a lot longer.
 
adielk said:
techcentral.co.za

Solar PV prices are crashing - and that could lead to a new boom

Chinese manufacturers that dominate nearly every step in the global solar power supply chain are being forced to slash prices as the coronavirus disrupts projects around the world.
techcentral.co.za techcentral.co.za

Interesting that pv panel prices declining.
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I've checked a couple of big online stores, they are standing firm and even upping their prices, looks like they are banking on winter and Eskom struggling to meet demand, I have a feeling they are going to be disappointed.
 
adielk said:
Then one needs to wait for new cheaper stock
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I think the stock we have is cheap enough, the dealers just have a tendency of ridiculously raising the prices every time we have load shedding. The best thing that can happen for us is to have less loadshedding and we see how long they want to hold on to their stock.
 
thechamp said:
I think the stock we have is cheap enough, the dealers just have a tendency of ridiculously raising the prices every time we have load shedding. The best thing that can happen for us is to have less loadshedding and we see how long they want to hold on to their stock.
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Stock goes fast.

The issue is that the stock is procured, in "real money". In South Africa we use a version of this, called monopoly money (or Rands). Unfortunately this monopoly money is worth far less in "real money".

Given we went from 14 -> 19, and now hovering around 17.3 to the USD at the moment, any decreases in panel costs will overwhelmingly be eaten up by the forex difference.


R14 -> R19 or R14 ->R17 is well over a 30-40% increase in cost price. I'd expect pricing to go up at least 40% soon once stock is sold, unless the monopoly money magically increases in value again.

Even if panels dropped say - 10%, you're still going to be paying more.

So, my suggestion is buy it now if you can, as its not going to hit those prices again. There will be no cheaper stock, not at current rand levels.
 
lsheed_cn said:
Stock goes fast.

The issue is that the stock is procured, in "real money". In South Africa we use a version of this, called monopoly money (or Rands). Unfortunately this monopoly money is worth far less in "real money".

Given we went from 14 -> 19, and now hovering around 17.3 to the USD at the moment, any decreases in panel costs will overwhelmingly be eaten up by the forex difference.


R14 -> R19 or R14 ->R17 is well over a 30-40% increase in cost price. I'd expect pricing to go up at least 40% soon once stock is sold, unless the monopoly money magically increases in value again.

Even if panels dropped say - 10%, you're still going to be paying more.

So, my suggestion is buy it now if you can, as its not going to hit those prices again. There will be no cheaper stock, not at current rand levels.
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Impact on local pv producers like Art Solar?
 
lsheed_cn said:
Artsolar is very close to liquidation, if not already on life support.
Cheaper imports have devastated their business.


This is also an issue thats likely to tip them over the edge into receivership - https://www.pv-magazine.com/2020/02...-sonnedix-prieska-solar-farm-in-south-africa/
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Jeez its pretty stupid to destroy internal green industry! We should be subsidising this type of industry to build economies of scale.

Then again if crap quality, pointless supporting them. Would just be a bailout.
 
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