PV panels vs converting 2 of 3 geysers to start savings since my current set up takes care of loadshedding.

[Saba'a]

I have:

1 x 8Kw sunsynk inverter. Figured I could add another IF required. Unlikely but still need to assess more accurate overall usage pm.

Only 2 x 3.5 US3000 pylontechs. The 0.5C unfortunately. Will add or replace in future.

Required:
I need panels. Last quote was:
JA Solar 455w x 18 for just under R81 000

I have been pondering:

PV panels vs converting 2 of 3 geysers to start savings since my current set up takes care of loadshedding.

I also want a hybrid solar gas geysers installation. I think @Sinbad had this at his parents place.

Advantage is that in winter, if no solar power, the gas heats up the water temperature difference.

Not sure why, but it could only be done with a solar geyser setup and not normal geyser setup.

My preference:

PV panels plus gas backup for geyser.

http://palomagas.co.za/gas-wat...oosted-solar-hot-water-system/

Another link.
https://gas-geysers-johannesbu...ter-with-rinnai-water-heaters/

My stove already gas. Planning to get gas oven as well BUT as backup. Currently electric double thermofan a heavily used item for baking etc.

Have an induction plate BUT lot of non inductive cookware, so not a great option.

So my decision is:

1. Install just pv panels R80 000

2. Install solar / gas geysers R60 000 for 2 of 3 geysers

3. Install a full pv panel plus gas backup for geysers. R80 000 plus cost of gas geyser backup.

Thanks

Edit meant decision is to choose between 3 options.

Wondering if one could do heatpump and gas backup for geysers.

 

[itareanlnotani]

Panels - should be closer to 65-70k. Supplier cost is 3100 incl. at the moment for those at Segen.
Mounting is going to cost another 5-10k, depending what you go for/roof type.

80k installed is not bad, if thats panels only, thats a rip off.

Whats your roof?

Where are you located?

 

[Saba'a]

Panels - should be closer to 65-70k. Supplier cost is 3100 incl. at the moment for those at Segen.
Mounting is going to cost another 5-10k, depending what you go for/roof type.

80k installed is not bad, if thats panels only, thats a rip off.

Whats your roof?

Where are you located?

Pretoria Tile roof.

I trust the installer. Thus cost by installer is not issue.

Its what is best Return on investment or value for money.

 

[Saba'a]

From energytalk forum

"To get back to your original question.
I started similar, EV tubes, MASSIVE reduction in electricity costs.
9.5 years later, needed an entirely new system, it lasted well. Cost to replace it all, close to R30k as per insurance quotes.
Took the money, bought 4 more panels and Geyserwise timers, now the grid-tied system heats the geysers.
EV tubes, flat panels, or heatpumps, all work brilliantly to reduce the water heating costs in the first round.
For me, that worked until they need replacement. That got me in the end.
Today, if I could reset to where I took the geyser onto EV tubes, with today’s prices on panels and inverters, I would not have gone for EV tubes or flat panels or a heatpump. Straight to grid-tied. Geysers only need X hours per day to heat, rest of the day, night if you use batteries, you can save more per month.
My 2 cents, very simplistically put."

 

[Snyper564]

From energytalk forum

"To get back to your original question.
I started similar, EV tubes, MASSIVE reduction in electricity costs.
9.5 years later, needed an entirely new system, it lasted well. Cost to replace it all, close to R30k as per insurance quotes.
Took the money, bought 4 more panels and Geyserwise timers, now the grid-tied system heats the geysers.
EV tubes, flat panels, or heatpumps, all work brilliantly to reduce the water heating costs in the first round.
For me, that worked until they need replacement. That got me in the end.
Today, if I could reset to where I took the geyser onto EV tubes, with today’s prices on panels and inverters, I would not have gone for EV tubes or flat panels or a heatpump. Straight to grid-tied. Geysers only need X hours per day to heat, rest of the day, night if you use batteries, you can save more per month.
My 2 cents, very simplistically put."

I echo this I would have put the 30k for 2 evac tubs straight to panels on my system would have been another 6kw about

 

[Saba'a]

Latest bill down by R1 000.

Installed panels in late March but CT coil feedback was only resolved few days afterwards. Installer messed up CT Coil connection so system fed back into meter, it seems about 30kw.

System is also still being tuned ito load management.

Thus assuming that 1st full month bill will be even less. Hoping for a 25% - 50% reduction.


Hopefully bigger reduction in future as I
1. manage load better and
2. add more batteries/panels.

 

[Saba'a]

Looks to be a beautiful solar generation day!

 

[chrisc]

I fitted a low voltage geyser element, powered by 2 PVs
This works very well

 

[Saba'a]

I fitted a low voltage geyser element, powered by 2 PVs
This works very well

Yes. Highly recommended option.


Maybe I'll
1. Reduce 3 geysers to 2
2. convert 3kw elements to 2kw geyser elements

But for now
A. I prefer geyser heating up quickly especially the main geyser.
B. Adding 9/10 more panels and more batteries to reduce Eskom usage.

My main objective was to handle loadshedding/outages. Bill reduction a secondary issue.

But if reducing electricity bill the objective or cash limited then a 2Kw plus panels 1st prize.

 

[Koosvanwyk]

Latest bill down by R1 000.

Installed panels in late March but CT coil feedback was only resolved few days afterwards. Installer messed up CT Coil connection so system fed back into meter, it seems about 30kw.

System is also still being tuned ito load management.

Thus assuming that 1st full month bill will be even less. Hoping for a 25% - 50% reduction.


Hopefully bigger reduction in future as I
1. manage load better and
2. add more batteries/panels.

It does take time to get everything in step and aligning what you can produce and store to when it is used. Took me 4/5 months to get this 90% perfect, since then my focus has been on reducing load.

It is worth it though, I last purchased units in July 2021 and have used 66 units from Eskom since 1 January 2022 (of which 10 was to charge my batteries in the evening in February when my installer replaced my entire bank under watterty and about another 10 due to me being stupid and forgetting to change the settings "back to normal" on my Sunsynk after testing something - happened twice already).

I still have more than 4000 units on my prepaid meter, so will likely only have to buy again in a few years time.

You should add to your list
3. Invest in energy effecient appliances.

 

[Saba'a]

It does take time to get everything in step and aligning what you can produce and store to when it is used. Took me 4/5 months to get this 90% perfect, since then my focus has been on reducing load.

It is worth it though, I last purchased units in July 2021 and have used 66 units from Eskom since 1 January 2022 (of which 10 was to charge my batteries in the evening in February when my installer replaced my entire bank under watterty and about another 10 due to me being stupid and forgetting to change the settings "back to normal" on my Sunsynk after testing something - happened twice already).

I still have more than 4000 units on my prepaid meter, so will likely only have to buy again in a few years time.

You should add to your list
3. Invest in energy effecient appliances.

Yep. Washing machine in May.

Looking for a smart one I can schedule and control remotely.


Dishwasher in future only.

 

[Hd7]

Looks to be a beautiful solar generation day!

Not on the west rand - clouds are already moving in. Luckily all the heavy load has been taken care of and batteries are charged!

 

[itareanlnotani]

If you have the sunsynk, stick your nice to have loads on the aux output.

Then the geyser etc can charge when you have sufficient power. When there isn't enough, they get turned off automagically.

 

[Saba'a]

If you have the sunsynk, stick your nice to have loads on the aux output.

Then the geyser etc can charge when you have sufficient power. When there isn't enough, they get turned off automagically.

Will definitely check this out.

 

[Saba'a]

Not on the west rand - clouds are already moving in. Luckily all the heavy load has been taken care of and batteries are charged!

Sorry to hear. But hopefully it clears up later?

Do you have a mybb thread for your system?

 

[Hd7]

Sorry to hear. But hopefully it clears up later?

Do you have a mybb thread for your system?

Turned out ok actually, just had to manage the the afternoon load a little carefully.
Nope, but these are the basics : 8kw Sunsync, 7.4kwh Solar md and 18 x 455w panels

 

[Saba'a]

I def need to increase my batteries and then panels.

 

[itareanlnotani]

I def need to increase my batteries and then panels.

Generation is cheaper than storage, so might make sense to add more generation, especially if winter isn't giving you enough PV.

Thats always my first recommendation.

 

[Hd7]

I def need to increase my batteries and then panels.

Message above is valid. Generation is cheaper than storage. Storage does however have somewhat of a "bare minimum" depending on your intentions ie. Whether you are trying to cover load shedding outages or make it through the night and reduce eskom reliance

 

[Saba'a]

Generation is cheaper than storage, so might make sense to add more generation, especially if winter isn't giving you enough PV.

Thats always my first recommendation.

No - generate decently enough. Want stored power to use at night.

If one is at home, its ok BUT most usage at night when we home.

Thus buying smart washing machine to use pv during day.