Setting up solar panels

w1z4rd

w1z4rd

Karmic Sangoma
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Im trying to find the most cost effective route to setup a solar powered system for my house. I am just looking to run a TV, a couple of laptops and a couple of cellphones off the system.

I already have a gas stove and gas fridge (have not worked out a solution for the geyser yet).

Whats the best company to approach for this kind of equipment, and who also has decent pricing.

I am also wondering what the full hardware spec for this type of project would be. So far... solar panels... battery and inverter. Not to sure what else would be required.

Does anyone have any suggestions for this?
 
Should maybe run the lights too, plus you can get solar heated geyser, lol, but you might be able to see your house shining from space with that many solar pannels, sorry just thought would add that donno anyone off hand, where you located?
 
Located in the Eastern Cape, have paraffin lights already (come from a farm). Will most likely go for a gas geyser.
 
Wizard - you need to work backwards.

How much juice do you need per hour, how many hours do you expect to run independent of Eishcom and what is the peak load you'll need. Those numbers will give you an didication of what needs to come out of the inverter, and hence how many batteries you'll need. I suppose the idea is for your panels to charge the batteries.
 
Scooby_Doo said:
Should maybe run the lights too, plus you can get solar heated geyser, lol, but you might be able to see your house shining from space with that many solar pannels, sorry just thought would add that donno anyone off hand, where you located?
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There could be a hidden gain here - the panels will shade the house in summer and hence no need for an AC.
 
Albereth said:
Wizard - you need to work backwards.

How much juice do you need per hour, how many hours do you expect to run independent of Eishcom and what is the peak load you'll need. Those numbers will give you an didication of what needs to come out of the inverter, and hence how many batteries you'll need. I suppose the idea is for your panels to charge the batteries.
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Well, its a 74cm TV. 3 Laptops and 2 cellphones that need to be kept on for at least 3 hours (for now). I assume I can add extra batteries as I go along should I required more capacity?
 
w1zard, a colleague of mine is about to bring in a container load of panels from China that should be about 40% cheaper than what's available on the market ATM. I'll be getting involved with the distribution of these panels, so if you're interested, gimme a PM.

Looking at your requirements briefly, I'd say you need a 1000W inverter/charger and you'd use about 1.5kWh over 3 hours of usage. You could get away with 2x 102Ah batteries, but this system will discharge them quite deeply over that period. Also, bear in mind that ithe size of your inverter/charger will affect how many batteries you can have connected (it needs to output a certain number of amps per battery). A 1000W inverter/charger can take (iirc) max. 4 batteries.

2 batteries and the inverter will set you back about R5k.

To generate 1500Wh of power a day, you'd need about 500W worth of panels, which at current prices would come to about R15k (current SA prices, not the panels we'll be bringing in).

You then need a solar control module, wiring and installation, so all in your system would cost roughly R25k.
 
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@ wizard - good luck with that, and do let us know once your system is up and running. :)

I'm also looking to go the same route myself - want to put the fridge/freezer on solar power to remove the dependency upon eskom.
 
BlueCollar said:
2 batteries and the inverter will set you back about R5k.

To generate 1500Wh of power a day, you'd need about 500W worth of panels, which at current prices would come to about R15k (current SA prices, not the panels we'll be bringing in).

You then need a solar control module, wiring and installation, so all in your system would cost roughly R25k.
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It would be cheaper to charge the batteries from the Escum supply, when it is on, than solar!
 
Those two will suck a lot of power Mr Librarian, not to sure if solar is the best option for that. You should consider gas alternatives. Its a lot cheaper.
 
BTW, w1z4d, where did you get your gas fridge? I have mains gas at home and want to run a fridge off that.
 
Captain Slog said:
It would be cheaper to charge the batteries from the Escum supply, when it is on, than solar!
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The general idea is to let the batteries charge from the solar panels, and on cloudy days, charge them from eksverystupidanddom power

No doubt prices will come down as the market is flooded with panels and batteries.

Hope the Chinese imports is good quality ;)

@ wizard - wife does not want to go over to gas :( My decision is not made yet, I want to accumulate a lot of information, and weigh the various options against each other before setting my decision into stone.

No good rushing things at this stage now.
 
The_Librarian said:
The general idea is to let the batteries charge from the solar panels, and on cloudy days, charge them from eksverystupidanddom power

No doubt prices will come down as the market is flooded with panels and batteries.

Hope the Chinese imports is good quality ;)

@ wizard - wife does not want to go over to gas :( My decision is not made yet, I want to accumulate a lot of information, and weigh the various options against each other before setting my decision into stone.

No good rushing things at this stage now.
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Any solar installation is going to cost a fortune - even with Chinese panels at 40% less it will STILL be OTT.

Just make a big UPS and use Eskom, mine works perfectly and has made no difference to my power bill. Or don't.

BTW we used to install solar panels on un-manned offshore installations in Angola and the panels were constantly being swiped by passing fishermen.
 
BlueCollar said:
BTW, w1z4d, where did you get your gas fridge? I have mains gas at home and want to run a fridge off that.
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I went to our farm and fetched it :D Its about... 30 years old but still in good nick :)

I have just spoken to my parents, and the answer I got was, "someone at the bottom of Oxford street".. while that doesnt help you or me in the slightest, I can investigate it more for you and find a decent supplier?
 
Also... rather importantly... where/ how does one apply for the promised government subsidies? I would really like to get all this information centralized.
 
w1z4rd said:
Also... rather importantly... where/ how does one apply for the promised government subsidies? I would really like to get all this information centralized.
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Sneaky buggers adjusted the price so you'll have to buy some expensive stuff before getting a peanut as rebate :(
 
Also, AFAIK, the govt. subsidies are only for solar water heaters, not PV panels.
 
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