Solar Power Thread

calypso said:
Nice post. Obviously costs will be much lower than a typical install as you could do the labour yourself. But how long do you expect until the system has paid itself off?
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Pay back time was not a consideration..I don't think I'll see the payback...I thought of the present "Money in the pocket monthly" scenario.Total cost was R50200.
 
Please will you guys comment on the following for domestic use:

Vicrtron EasySolar 48/3000 MPPT 150/70
Canadian Solar PV Panel - 330Wp (x6)
Flat Roof Mounting System (x6)
Freedom Lite Home 5/4 Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery (10 year warranty)
Solar Cable
Energy Meter 1 phase
Surge protection, earthing and DC disconnects
Electrical COC

Kark expensive but I'm told this is a long term solution.
 
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What's the cost and capacity of the batteries? You'll be replacing those every 10 years...
 
Sinbad said:
What's the cost and capacity of the batteries? You'll be replacing those every 10 years...
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Thank you Sinbad.

Freedom Lite Home 5/4 Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery (10 year warranty)
Max energy: 5kWh
Capacity @ 70% discharge: 4kWh
Current capacity: 100aH
Max Current: 125A
Continuous Current: 100A
Weight: 63kg
..........and my absolute FAVOURITE: Dimensions 736x508x130
 
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3.5kwh at 70% depth of discharge...

That's not a lot of capacity. What will you be running off this?
 
Agreed more detail req on those batteries. What is the solar cable?
And the devil is in the detail about the surge protection DC disconnects and earthing .
Circuit diagram available?
 
Okay IF all you want to run off the system are emergency lights entertainment and security. No kettles heaters toasters etc.
Very little stby time
 
Is this the R146k package?

Seems WAY too expensive for what you get.

For comparison, and I know it was 5 years ago, I got a quote for a 6kva grid tied pure sine wave inverter, 26x240 watt panels, a 70KWh battery bank for R200k.
 
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Sinbad said:
3.5kwh at 70% depth of discharge...

That's not a lot of capacity. What will you be running off this?
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Standby during loadshedding and apparently it switches to battery automatically (at night?) so cuts daily electricity usage too.

TBH I though it was a "MASSIVE" system, luckily I asked.


Geoff.D said:
Agreed more detail req on those batteries. What is the solar cable?
And the devil is in the detail about the surge protection DC disconnects and earthing .
Circuit diagram available?
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Thank you Geoff.D, no circuit diagram yet.

Solar Cable - "each string of panels is connected to the charge controller (MPPT) via a positive ad negative 5mm solar cable"
 
If I ask for a 70kWh battery would that give longer standby time and more solar generated energy to use daily?

Would anything else in the quoted system need to change, i.e. more panels, stronger cables?

Tks
 
maumau said:
If I ask for a 70kWh battery would that give longer standby time and more solar generated energy to use daily?

Would anything else in the quoted system need to change, i.e. more panels, stronger cables?

Tks
Click to expand...

70Kwh will give you 7Kw for 10h at 100% discharge
@50% discharge you will get 5h

(always leave room for a 10% discrepency)
 
Sinbad said:
Is this the R146k package?

Seems WAY too expensive for what you get.

For comparison, and I know it was 5 years ago, I got a quote for a 6kva grid tied pure sine wave inverter, 26x240 watt panels, a 70KWh battery bank for R200k.
Click to expand...

Colour me impressed :) it is the R146k package.

I'll have to ask about sine wave and a bigger battery.
 
What he is saying is that depending on the cable distance between the solar panels and the controller and then on to the batteries the current available to charge the batteries may be inadequate to be effective meaning the system as specified so far is unlikely ever to deliver on any of its standby promises.

So many of these systems end up "not working" as promised not because of the basic components but because of completely compromised installations.

No one should specify cabling before they know exactly where and how the panels are to be installed and where the main components will be located.
 
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Ah, thank you Geoff.D. I understand your explanation.

I'll try to get a diagram and will ask you guys again when I have full details.

Thanks Sinbad, spiderz and Geoff.D
 
Pity the Powerwall 2 that costs R71 500 overseas, are being advertised here at R125,000+. I have no idea how they are able to justify those inflated prices?

What are import taxes on batteries? 10%? So that would be R78k add another thumb suck 10k for shipping we are at say R90k now add a nice 40% profit to get from R90k to R126k.

This also excludes installation which some companies want to charge around R8,000 for. Otherwise you lose the warranty.

Am I missing something here?
 
Has anyone tried building a solar system with li-ion cells, maybe a big 18650 bank?
 
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