Solar opinions

[qscwbt]

Looking at doing solar in the next month. While prices are better and prepping for eskom loadshedding.

Option 1
2x 5kw deye inverters
10x panels
2 x Hina 5.12 batteries

Option 2
1x 8kw deye inverter
10 panels
2 Hina 5.12 batteries

Household 3 people. Have 3 aircons of which 2 is invertors. Pool pump. Have 2 geysers one solar and a 150 liter electric on a geyser buddy. The solar feeds the electric geyser..
Normal stove but will change to gas at some point.

Is there any benefit to have two 5 kw over 1x 8 kw. Price difference is R3000.

 

[Mzezman]

Looking at doing solar in the next month. While prices are better and prepping for eskom loadshedding.

Option 1
2x 5kw deye inverters
10x panels
2 x Hina 5.12 batteries

Option 2
1x 8kw deye inverter
10 panels
2 Hina 5.12 batteries

Household 3 people. Have 3 aircons of which 2 is invertors. Pool pump. Have 2 geysers one solar and a 150 liter electric on a geyser buddy. The solar feeds the electric geyser..
Normal stove but will change to gas at some point.

Is there any benefit to have two 5 kw over 1 8 kw. Price difference is R3000.

2x5kw gives you some redundancy in case one of them packs up. Also gives you more PV potential with 4 strings of panels vs 2 on the single 8kw

Edit: not 4 strings but 4MPPTs

 

[aleksandar]

I have 8kw sunsynk and I never thought of installing 2x 5kw inverters.
So I would go for option 2 with adding extra battery at later stage.

 

[leon.davibe]

Depeneds how likely you will need the extra pv capacity

some areas have lower yearly avg sun hours, can check solaratlas

10kwp is more than enough for most people if the sun isn't too shy

Can only speak for our weather, some bad weather days i can barely make kwh = kwp
If eskom isn't a problem in area a person can happily use it

It is all about what you are catering for and if you care that you have the load carrying capacity on bad weather days to not be dependant on eskom

 

[Speedster]

Looking at doing solar in the next month. While prices are better and prepping for eskom loadshedding.

Option 1
2x 5kw deye inverters
10x panels
2 x Hina 5.12 batteries

Option 2
1x 8kw deye inverter
10 panels
2 Hina 5.12 batteries

Household 3 people. Have 3 aircons of which 2 is invertors. Pool pump. Have 2 geysers one solar and a 150 liter electric on a geyser buddy. The solar feeds the electric geyser..
Normal stove but will change to gas at some point.

Is there any benefit to have two 5 kw over 1x 8 kw. Price difference is R3000.

For that small price difference I'd go with the 2 x 5kw option

 

[Speedster]

Depeneds how likely you will need the extra pv capacity

some areas have lower yearly avg sun hours, can check solaratlas

10kwp is more than enough for most people if the sun isn't too shy

Can only speak for our weather, some bad weather days i can barely make kwh = kwp
If eskom isn't a problem in area a person can happily use it

It is all about what you are catering for and if you care that you have the load carrying capacity on bad weather days to not be dependant on eskom

I don't think he said anything about 10kWp. 10 panels is probably closer to 5 or 6kWp.

 

[leon.davibe]

I don't think he said anything about 10kWp. 10 panels is probably closer to 5 or 6kWp.

Yea had it that way was just highlighting what 2x 5kw brings

Once the solar bug bites many want to expand

So sometimes looking at what is the most i could end up installing may be good hypothetical game to play, work backwards

Lets say 16kwp is the most i could envision installing

To cover cloudy/rainy days
As eskom prices gets higher and higher l can see myself doing this, getting closer to 100% won't be as daunting,
cost wise vs now

3x5,kwp or 2x8kw 1x12kw options

But lets say my figure is 25kwp
Then 4x5kw or 3x8kw or 2x12kw

So find the best balance
multiple small units nets more pv capacity, space may also be limiting factor

Then work out the first phase
If you never go to last phase not a problem

If you do you kick yourself for not thknking ahead

 

[qscwbt]

Yea had it that way was just highlighting what 2x 5kw brings

Once the solar bug bites many want to expand

So sometimes looking at what is the most i could end up installing may be good hypothetical game to play, work backwards

Lets say 16kwp is the most i could envision installing

To cover cloudy/rainy days
As eskom prices gets higher and higher l can see myself doing this, getting closer to 100% won't be as daunting,
cost wise vs now

3x5,kwp or 2x8kw 1x12kw options

But lets say my figure is 25kwp
Then 4x5kw or 3x8kw or 2x12kw

So find the best balance
multiple small units nets more pv capacity, space may also be limiting factor

Then work out the first phase
If you never go to last phase not a problem

If you do you kick yourself for not thknking ahead

That's the plan to have the setup up on the max kwh required. Then expanding would only be the panels

 

[leon.davibe]

That's the plan to have the .ain't setup up on the max kwh required. Then expanding would only be the panels

Now yes my 16/25 kwp scenario
Is a bit overkill

But it is based on george weather we get a lower yearly avg sun hours, bad days can be as low as 1 good summer days almost 7

Global Solar Atlas

The Global Solar Atlas provides a summary of solar power potential and solar resources globally. It is provided by the World Bank Group as a free service to governments, developers and the general public, and allows users to quickly obtain data and carry out a simple electricity output...

globalsolaratlas.info

is spot on
They qouted around 4 and my avg so far is 4.1 not exactly a full year that i have panels yet but getting close

The only problem with those figures, it is based on using all you get, ie if battery is full or load isn't enough to utiise all solar figure gets drag down in real world scenario

Have a small array at the moment so can still fully utilise

 

[Thugscub]

Creating the electricity is the easy part. Storing it is the difficult part.
5kw is the minimum size inverter to go for.
10x500w panels minimum.
Try and get the biggest system you can afford.
At least 2x48v 5kw lithium batteries.

 

[leon.davibe]

Creating the electricity is the easy part. Storing it is the difficult part.
5kw is the minimum size inverter to go for.
10x500w panels minimum.
Try and get the biggest system you can afford.
At least 2x48v 5kw lithium batteries.

Yea a 200l geyser uses about 8-10kwh from cold

And a 150 6-8

The existing geyser is the cheapest battery ever

It baffles me how solar installers sell people on an install with a single 5kwh battery and zero heavy hitters (geyser/stove/oven) on inverter

See so many people with those heavy users not on inverter

Now yes the hybrid that gridfeeds is different , stil lose in shedding though

 

[BouncyNinja]

Looking at doing solar in the next month. While prices are better and prepping for eskom loadshedding.

Option 1
2x 5kw deye inverters
10x panels
2 x Hina 5.12 batteries

Option 2
1x 8kw deye inverter
10 panels
2 Hina 5.12 batteries

Household 3 people. Have 3 aircons of which 2 is invertors. Pool pump. Have 2 geysers one solar and a 150 liter electric on a geyser buddy. The solar feeds the electric geyser..
Normal stove but will change to gas at some point.

Is there any benefit to have two 5 kw over 1x 8 kw. Price difference is R3000.

How much power do you use in a day? what is your peak power consumption in a day?

I run my whole house ( except over and 1 AC) all off of a 5kw Sunsynk inverter. Max we have pushed so far in a day , where mrs was doing washing, tumble dryer running, dishwasher and heatpump, was close on 4.5Kw , but we've never hit the max point. Reason for bringing this up, is while the idea of a 8kw was nice ( extra head room, which i see now isnt needed) the gap between a 5 and a 8 , was an extra battery

Also, If i can ask, Why Hina Batteries? If its the LFP batteries , why not look at pylontec , dyness ( dunsynk?) or Hubble Am5?

 

[leon.davibe]

How much power do you use in a day? what is your peak power consumption in a day?

I run my whole house ( except over and 1 AC) all off of a 5kw Sunsynk inverter. Max we have pushed so far in a day , where mrs was doing washing, tumble dryer running, dishwasher and heatpump, was close on 4.5Kw , but we've never hit the max point. Reason for bringing this up, is while the idea of a 8kw was nice ( extra head room, which i see now isnt needed) the gap between a 5 and a 8 , was an extra battery

Also, If i can ask, Why Hina Batteries? If its the LFP batteries , why not look at pylontec , dyness ( dunsynk?) or Hubble Am5?

some batteries have higer C rating ie 1.5 on 130Ah battery (have seen some batteries with specs like that)
would be over the 8000w sunynk requirements so can make do with one, i believe you can set the inverter max so while you have 1 battery that doesn't meet the 8kw you use it more conservatively with more assist coming from eskom (salt i may understand sunsynk operation wrong)

imo 5kw is doable for homes with low requirements
the 5kw sunsynk does also assist from eskom if exceeding its max so you can actually be fine during no shedding but not so much in shedding


our home has a high idle ie 800-1200w with the gaming PC's going
and 5kw is limiting ie you can only use 2 heating devices at a time 3rd trips it
while eskom is present it goes into bypass

we have spikes to 7kw while making food etc (electrical cooking) and have spike over 8.8kw from time to time
so it really depends on the home and what is on inverter and what not + usage patterns

8kw/5kwx2 means a more peacefull home without any trips
if my inverter pops i'm going 8kw

 

[qscwbt]

some batteries have higer C rating ie 1.5 on 130Ah battery (have seen some batteries with specs like that)
would be over the 8000w sunynk requirements so can make do with one, i believe you can set the inverter max so while you have 1 battery that doesn't meet the 8kw you use it more conservatively with more assist coming from eskom (salt i may understand sunsynk operation wrong)

imo 5kw is doable for homes with low requirements
the 5kw sunsynk does also assist from eskom if exceeding its max so you can actually be fine during no shedding but not so much in shedding


our home has a high idle ie 800-1200w with the gaming PC's going
and 5kw is limiting ie you can only use 2 heating devices at a time 3rd trips it
while eskom is present it goes into bypass

we have spikes to 7kw while making food etc (electrical cooking) and have spike over 8.8kw from time to time
so it really depends on the home and what is on inverter and what not + usage patterns

8kw/5kwx2 means a more peacefull home without any trips
if my inverter pops i'm going 8kw

I have been following the solar posts, and someone said over plan and have surplus capacity.

 

[leon.davibe]

I have been following the solar posts, and someone said over plan and have surplus capacity.

the only fly in the ointment is the cost, gotta find the best balance
to have the shortest ROI window

not skimping on batteries does help making the most of solar
or naturally time shifting geysers etc , so work/planning/timers or money

luckily adding batteries is easy, so can see how things go

 

[Greglsh]

I would go with the 2 x 5Kw as the others have said it give you more room for growth with adding panels to the 4 MPPT's, I have 1 x 5 Kw with 2 MPPT controllers and I am trying to find a way to add more panels. I have micro-inverters that I had before the hybrid so looking at using these via the aux port.

 

[Flanders]

qscwbt, sorry to jump in on your thread but maybe this could provide some insight for the future.

luckily adding batteries is easy, so can see how things go

I have two of these:

NEW LOOK 51.2v 104Ah 5.3kWh LiFePO4 Lithium Iron Phosphate Wall Mount Solar UPS Battery

LBSA lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack is a householdrenewable energy storage solution developed and produced by Lithium Batteries SA. After full installation, it is a low-voltage DC battery system with an operating voltage of 51.2V, and works with a low-voltage inverter to realize...

lithiumbatteriessa.co.za

For upgrade phase 1, I want to add panels and double my storage. I've read that it's important to match battery specs preferably with brand as well because of BMS etc. Would I need to go for 2 of these again or could I go for:

10.6 kWh 51.2v 208Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Iron Phosphate Wall Mount Solar UPS Battery

LBSA lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack is a householdrenewable energy storage solution developed and produced by Lithium Batteries SA. After full installation, it is a low-voltage DC battery system with an operating voltage of 51.2V, and works with a low-voltage inverter to realize...

lithiumbatteriessa.co.za

I do have space for the 2x5 but wondering what is the better approach and if even adding by tens is possible.

Phase 2 (hopefully final phase) would be adding a further 10kWh storage (31.8 kWh total)

 

[wingnut771]

Scott’s 5kW battery costs R15k.

 

[leon.davibe]

qscwbt, sorry to jump in on your thread but maybe this could provide some insight for the future.



I have two of these:

NEW LOOK 51.2v 104Ah 5.3kWh LiFePO4 Lithium Iron Phosphate Wall Mount Solar UPS Battery

LBSA lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack is a householdrenewable energy storage solution developed and produced by Lithium Batteries SA. After full installation, it is a low-voltage DC battery system with an operating voltage of 51.2V, and works with a low-voltage inverter to realize...

lithiumbatteriessa.co.za

For upgrade phase 1, I want to add panels and double my storage. I've read that it's important to match battery specs preferably with brand as well because of BMS etc. Would I need to go for 2 of these again or could I go for:

10.6 kWh 51.2v 208Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Iron Phosphate Wall Mount Solar UPS Battery

LBSA lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack is a householdrenewable energy storage solution developed and produced by Lithium Batteries SA. After full installation, it is a low-voltage DC battery system with an operating voltage of 51.2V, and works with a low-voltage inverter to realize...

lithiumbatteriessa.co.za

I do have space for the 2x5 but wondering what is the better approach and if even adding by tens is possible.

Phase 2 (hopefully final phase) would be adding a further 10kWh storage (31.8 kWh total)

If coms is involved i assume the bms must be same in different batteries ie they must all speak the same protocol

LBSA should be able to say which of the batteries are compatible with theirs

While in dumb mode you can mix and match as you like


As long as you stick to the same config ie 48v then all batteries has to be 15s (pylontech, some shotos)

Amd if you go 51.2v 16S all to match (some shotos and others)

It looks like 16S are more popular
Most listings i see is 51.2v even some listed 48v batteries (when you check their specs is actually 51.2v)

 

[isie]

Looking at doing solar in the next month. While prices are better and prepping for eskom loadshedding.

Option 1
2x 5kw deye inverters
10x panels
2 x Hina 5.12 batteries

Option 2
1x 8kw deye inverter
10 panels
2 Hina 5.12 batteries

Household 3 people. Have 3 aircons of which 2 is invertors. Pool pump. Have 2 geysers one solar and a 150 liter electric on a geyser buddy. The solar feeds the electric geyser..
Normal stove but will change to gas at some point.

Is there any benefit to have two 5 kw over 1x 8 kw. Price difference is R3000.

to add more there is a 10 kw single phase sunsynk model out as well


but based on what you using a 8KW should be ok just need to make sure that both geysers electric elements don't go on at the same time not that it cant handle it but you limited if you need to use the stove/ oven at the same time as that

take note The solar part of your solar geyser will probably end up being redundant