Solar power without grid or batteries.

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RichardKorver

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I have outbuildings on my farm, where i only sometimes need power during the day. It is far from existing grid, and i do not need to save the generated power for future use, hence batteries.

Can one only use the solar panels to generate elecrticity and use it when it is available.

If so, what do i need to start such a system.

Thank you.

Richard.
 
Won't stability be an issue? What if you get a sudden cloud while powering a tool or something, and it drops below minimum requirements?

I would consider a very small battery, just to smooth out any generated power while using the system.
 
RichardKorver said:
I have outbuildings on my farm, where i only sometimes need power during the day. It is far from existing grid, and i do not need to save the generated power for future use, hence batteries.

Can one only use the solar panels to generate elecrticity and use it when it is available.

If so, what do i need to start such a system.

Thank you.

Richard.
Click to expand...
Solar panel + Solar charge controller.
 
Well firstly, you also need an inverter.

And then as mentioned above, maybe a single battery, depending on the equipment

If you have grid power, then yes, skip the battery, but you said you dont

My MIL's foundry does exactly this, offset eskom in the day with a crap load of panels, but no batteries as they only operate in the day and use eskom for the base load
 
You can use some of the axpert models ie kodak and others (450v mppt models )

And some growatt models can power up via solar only ie no battery

Would have to double check with suppliers to be certain

Others may work the same sunsynk etc


You can use whatever solar is produced
And the device will only trip overload once the load(plus inverter inner load naturally 100-150w approx in this mode from what i have seen) exceeds whatever solar is producing

It will just start up again

Not sure
How it deals with high load items start ups
ie if the charge controllers respond quick enough, think it should be fine
As i find it is just slow in the switchover stages which won't apply as only one source

if it is a problem a small battery to stabilise may be needed
 
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does anyone have this current proposed setup?

is it just the panels and the inverter?

is it possible to set this up with plugs to power things during the day but when there's no power the power just comes from eskom, then in the morning when enough solar becomes available it switches over to solar again. will the inverter take care of this functionality?
 
akescpt said:
is it possible to set this up with plugs to power things during the day but when there's no power the power just comes from eskom, then in the morning when enough solar becomes available it switches over to solar again. will the inverter take care of this functionality?
Click to expand...
This is "SUB" mode on Axperts - Solar priority use,then Utility
RichardKorver said:
I have outbuildings on my farm, where i only sometimes need power during the day. It is far from existing grid, and i do not need to save the generated power for future use, hence batteries.

Can one only use the solar panels to generate elecrticity and use it when it is available.
Click to expand...
Theoretically - depends on the power requirements. Solar can't instantly ramp up and down with most inverters,so you'd use even a Cheap battery just to smooth out the spikes till the sun can take over it
 
akescpt said:
does anyone have this current proposed setup?

is it just the panels and the inverter?

is it possible to set this up with plugs to power things during the day but when there's no power the power just comes from eskom, then in the morning when enough solar becomes available it switches over to solar again. will the inverter take care of this functionality?
Click to expand...
I don't know if anyone has actually done this but its certainly possible. In SA people go for batteries first and then add panels later.
I was considering doing this at my old house as I wanted to save money as opposed to having backup power.

Its just a matter of getting the right inverter.
 
Nerfherder said:
I don't know if anyone has actually done this but its certainly possible. In SA people go for batteries first and then add panels later.
I was considering doing this at my old house as I wanted to save money as opposed to having backup power.

Its just a matter of getting the right inverter.
Click to expand...
I'm just looking for an alternative...not interested in going off-grid...
 
akescpt said:
so it needs a DB installation?
Click to expand...
You can feed the Inverter however you want with mains,i've got my Mom's cottage on a 12v Inverter with a 3pin plug input and a multiplug output
 
PsyWulf said:
This is "SUB" mode on Axperts - Solar priority use,then Utility

Theoretically - depends on the power requirements. Solar can't instantly ramp up and down with most inverters,so you'd use even a Cheap battery just to smooth out the spikes till the sun can take over it
Click to expand...
Some axperts don't have a SUB off-grid units not hybrid

Ie my kodak has a SBU
it can't mix solar and utility

So either solar or grid it goes into bypass if load exceeds solar

In those instances the solar does nothing if you don't have a battery

So gotta make sure the inverter is a proper hybrid that can mix solar and eskom if no battery
 
Nerfherder said:
I don't know if anyone has actually done this but its certainly possible. In SA people go for batteries first and then add panels later.
I was considering doing this at my old house as I wanted to save money as opposed to having backup power.

Its just a matter of getting the right inverter.
Click to expand...
Yes most proper hybrids wil do this
Have seen a certain model of growatt that will do this

I believe Some axperts also do this , but then you have to look for the king or infinity models (salt ) not all axperts can mix solar and eskom
 
RichardKorver said:
I have outbuildings on my farm, where i only sometimes need power during the day. It is far from existing grid, and i do not need to save the generated power for future use, hence batteries.

Can one only use the solar panels to generate elecrticity and use it when it is available.

If so, what do i need to start such a system.

Thank you.

Richard.
Click to expand...
much better idea. get the panels you need. Inverter size and 1 to 2 lithium batteries. mount them on a trailer and drag it where you need power for the day.
 
PsyWulf said:
Growatt SPF

Just happened to do this yesterday - as sun picks up Utility drops slightly,sudden surge in load spiked Utility the same

View attachment 1691479
Click to expand...

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this one?
 
akescpt said:

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this one?
Click to expand...
That's it,I'm actually using a rebrand that's a bit cheaper now,but software reads the same

R9800 a pop
1713179633410.png
 
RichardKorver said:
I have outbuildings on my farm, where i only sometimes need power during the day. It is far from existing grid, and i do not need to save the generated power for future use, hence batteries.

Can one only use the solar panels to generate elecrticity and use it when it is available.

If so, what do i need to start such a system.

Thank you.

Richard.
Click to expand...
Friend of mine is doing this in The Netherlands. Only solar, no storage. He gets enough credit with what he is pushing back into the grid, to fund his night time usage
 
LandyMan said:
Friend of mine is doing this in The Netherlands. Only solar, no storage. He gets enough credit with what he is pushing back into the grid, to fund his night time usage
Click to expand...
There is no grid in this scenario.
 
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