Probably a dumb question

MarmiteMonster

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Will it be possible to get a solar system with these specs.

3Kw inverter.
2 x 500w Solar panels.
Batteries.
Needs to be able to do 1.2kw for 4.5 hours

For under R15k.
Excluding installation.

Inverter won't be used constantly at 3kw probably 500w.
 
you may need to rephrase certain things to prevent confusion

ie the 1.2kw for 4 hrs do you mean the load over the 4hrs will add up to 1.2kwh

if yes then for your budget i would say go for a 12v inverter 1600w peak load
and can handle 2000w panels if you need to expand later


inverter R3800
battery R5740
2 panels 545w R5600
total R15 140



1.28kwh battery (which may pinch if the 1.2kwh usage can't be scaled down at night due to losses meaning you would only get lets say 1.15kwh with 90% efficiency



if you must have 3kw inverter battery costs will double immediately meaning you will have to forego the panels for phase 2 later unless if you go 1.28kwh 24v ie 50ah

you will have to make sure to only use max 1.2kw peak load if no output from panels not to trip the 50a limit on battery, until you later expand the battery bank


3kw inverter R5100
battery R3510 x 2 R7020
panels R5600
total R17 720

to not have the 1.2kw peak limit you have to go for bigger battery at the bottom pushing the budget with another 5k to R21 295




just the first examples i could get googling if you can find a bit cheaper item bonus
just note the solar charge controllers are a bit bigger on these meaning you could expand solar a bit later
while some may have smaller meaning the 1000w limit future expansion

if you can add expansion possibilities for later ie 3kw inverter or bigger solar for a small increase rather do it
many feel later they should not have foregone this for budget
 
Last edited:
Will it be possible to get a solar system with these specs.

3Kw inverter.
2 x 500w Solar panels.
Batteries.
Needs to be able to do 1.2kw for 4.5 hours

For under R15k.
Excluding installation.

Inverter won't be used constantly at 3kw probably 500w.
1.2kw for 4.5 hours is 5.4kwh. Just the battery is going to be about R25k
 
For under R15k.
Excluding installation.

Inverter won't be used constantly at 3kw probably 500w.

What you can get for that money is a 1-3 kW portable type setup with ~1.2 kWh LFP battery.

At this level of outlay solar doesn't make a lot of sense with all its hurdles and overheads.

You can do a lot with 1 kW. We have all the house lighting, TV, routers, and home office adding up to less than 500 W peak.
 
you may need to rephrase certain things to prevent confusion

ie the 1.2kw for 4 hrs do you mean the load over the 4hrs will add up to 1.2kwh

if yes then for your budget i would say go for a 12v inverter 1600w peak load
and can handle 2000w panels if you need to expand later


inverter R3800
battery R5740
2 panels 545w R5600
total R15 140



1.28kwh battery (which may pinch if the 1.2kwh usage can't be scaled down at night due to losses meaning you would only get lets say 1.15kwh with 90% efficiency



if you must have 3kw inverter battery costs will double immediately meaning you will have to forego the panels for phase 2 later unless if you go 1.28kwh 24v ie 50ah

you will have to make sure to only use max 1.2kw peak load if no output from panels not to trip the 50a limit on battery, until you later expand the battery bank


3kw inverter R5100
battery R3510 x 2 R7020
panels R5600
total R17 720

to not have the 1.2kw peak limit you have to go for bigger battery at the bottom pushing the budget with another 5k to R21 295




just the first examples i could get googling if you can find a bit cheaper item bonus
just note the solar charge controllers are a bit bigger on these meaning you could expand solar a bit later
while some may have smaller meaning the 1000w limit future expansion

if you can add expansion possibilities for later ie 3kw inverter or bigger solar for a small increase rather do it
many feel later they should not have foregone this for budget
Thanks this helped alot.
 
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