Questions about a new Solar installation

R4ziel

R4ziel

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Hi guys, I recently got a 8kw inverter with 8 panels installed, which I am over the moon with


Just two questions for the people who know more about this than I do.

1. Is it possible to connect a smallish generator (2.6kw pull start) to just charge the batteries if there is no sun and no power for extended periods, would somone need to come out and connect it if possible or is it something relatively easy ?
My constant load is would be around 500-600w constant


2. Do you have to manually submit your power usage numbers to the muni to adjust the bill for the less power you are using, or how often do they check this? I am in Faerie Glen, Pretoria

I hope someone can at least give me a bit of guidance on this
 
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1. Yes you should be able to connect a generator depending on model, but you didnt mention the model you have. get the original installer to connect it up. But why only 8 panels on a 8kw inverter? how many/size batteries do you have?

2. WTF?
 
R4ziel said:
Hi guys, I recently got a 8kw inverter with 8 panels installed, which I am over the moon with


Just two questions for the people who know more about this than I do.

1. Is it possible to connect a smallish generator (2.6kw pull start) to just charge the batteries if there is no sun and no power for extended periods, would somone need to come out and connect it if possible or is it something relatively easy ?
My constant load is would be around 500-600w constant


2. Do you have to manually submit your power usage numbers to the muni to adjust the bill for the less power you are using, or how often do they check this? I am in Faerie Glen, Pretoria

I hope someone can at least give me a bit of guidance on this
Click to expand...
You can wire the genset into the connections on the inverter or, as I did, have it feed from auto change-over side, as if it's getting grid-power.

Not sure what battery you have; assuming it's a 48v, you'll need to set its charging rate (inverter setting) to 20-25Amps (20A is the default, or 0.2c), otherwise it will murder the genset. Keep in mind that in charging mode (e.g. Battery Priority), the genset will give power to the battery first and then, whatever is left available, to the house.

Also remember that you're at altitude, meaning a 2.6kW max genset will output around 1900w max due to lower atmospheric air-pressure.

I'm not sure what you're on about for item 2. If you use less Eskom, your bill from the municipality will obviously be lower.
 
rodga said:
1. Yes you should be able to connect a generator depending on model, but you didnt mention the model you have. get the original installer to connect it up. But why only 8 panels on a 8kw inverter? how many/size batteries do you have?

2. WTF?
Click to expand...
Also echo point 1...is that even enough panels to work efficiently I know some inverters have a minimum requirement.
 
1. Yes, easy DIY. You should have a generator input on the inverter so it's a matter of connecting two wires.

2. No. You don't feed back into the grid so it's none of their business how much grid electricity you save.
 
Thanks for the replies gents, appreciate it.

For those saying my panels are not enough, not sure what the misunderstanding is there, I have 2x 5.1kw batteries, they are full by 10-10:30 if the sun shines decently, even with the tropical weather we've been having up here it was barely necessary to charge from the grid, more than usual, but that's not an issue
 
B-1 said:
They will keep overestimating his use then. Its better to send them the new readings for a good few months.
Click to expand...

We had this when we just moved in, our power was the same for 3-4 months, suddenly we got a "correction" and it was 5 times the normal amount, disputing it with the muni they said they take average readings and only physically check the meters every now and then, so your power is worked out on an average

Thanks, ill definitely be submitting my numbers for the next while, wasn't sure if that changed in the last while
 
R4ziel said:
Thanks for the replies gents, appreciate it.

For those saying my panels are not enough, not sure what the misunderstanding is there, I have 2x 5.1kw batteries, they are full by 10-10:30 if the sun shines decently, even with the tropical weather we've been having up here it was barely necessary to charge from the grid, more than usual, but that's not an issue
Click to expand...

What size are your panels? The number is largely irrelevant, my FIL has 20 panels at his house, we only have 16, since his are 360w and ours are 545w, our kWp is higher.
 
R4ziel said:
We had this when we just moved in, our power was the same for 3-4 months, suddenly we got a "correction" and it was 5 times the normal amount, disputing it with the muni they said they take average readings and only physically check the meters every now and then, so your power is worked out on an average

Thanks, ill definitely be submitting my numbers for the next while, wasn't sure if that changed in the last while
Click to expand...
If you are in tshwane you can submit online I think, Im on prepaid so not sure
I submit my water readings on this site
 
Neuk_ said:
What size are your panels? The number is largely irrelevant, my FIL has 20 panels at his house, we only have 16, since his are 360w and ours are 545w, our kWp is higher.
Click to expand...
I have 8 x 545w panels, currently at 7:20am I am generating 1.85kw with a load of 450w, so definitely more than enough
 
R4ziel said:
I have 8 x 545w panels, currently at 7:20am I am generating 1.85kw with a load of 450w, so definitely more than enough
Click to expand...
ok thats great and all, but if your load is low why do you have a 8kw inverter? Surely a 5kw would be more than sufficient?
 
rodga said:
ok thats great and all, but if your load is low why do you have a 8kw inverter? Surely a 5kw would be more than sufficient?
Click to expand...

Because my load is not always 400-600w, When I run aircons and my gaming pc I regularly go over 5kw load
 
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