Taking lights off the grid

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SylverTyger

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Hi

I am interested in taking my lights off the grid by using an inverter/battery/solar panel setup. I want this to be wired into the mainboard so that my lights operate independently of the grid. I would also like to be able to use the same system to run my TV & decoder at a minimum during load shedding. I have looked at a few systems, I can only find expensive systems which are designed to be connected through the mainboard, the cheaper systems all use plug in extensions to supply power and most of them are also not designed for solar charging. I'd like to eventually move a lot more off the grid, upgrading as necessary but for now I'd like to just start with my lights. Is there any place that could offer me a good solution and perhaps some advice on the type of system required would be appreciated, I'm not even sure how to calculate the load requirements.
 
greg_SA

greg_SA

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Read the Axpert inverter thread. IHMO, a load shedding backup and a proper solar PV system aren't the same, and the equipment that you'd buy would probably be different.

For above R10k, you can get a inverter + batteries, wired into you DB that can do lights + a few plug points (TV, etc). This would be something like an Axpert 1kVA system with 2 12V 100Ah batteries. Great for load shedding.

If you plan to add solar, and expand you system later, I'd go for a Infinisolar inverter... It alone costs R15k, and will need a minimum of R10k for batteries. So for this system you are probably looking at about R30k excluding any solar panels. This would allow you to have some power during load shedding, and add solar PV panels later.

The advantage of the Infinisolar, is that it is synced to the grid, so you have use solar power mixed with Eskom power at the same time. So you use your solar to maximum capacity, and save on electricity costs. An Axpert system can handle solar too, but if that just powers your lights + TV, how much are you really going to save on electricity costs?

The down side of the Infinisolar, is that because it is synced to the grid (and can be used as a grid-tie inverter) there may be issues getting it approved, if required.

The Axpert are an off-grid only option.
 
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savage

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Solar, off grid, and cheap - those words can't exist in the same sentence.

Fixed installations (to your DB) - the equipment is more expensive.
 
akescpt

akescpt

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would love to take my lights solar. why would lights be so expensive to take solar? shouldn't household lights come in under 150w. if a solar setup to feed that costs more than 10k then someone is getting screwed.
 
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Messugga

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akescpt said:
would love to take my lights solar. why would lights be so expensive to take solar? shouldn't household lights come in under 150w. if a solar setup to feed that costs more than 10k then someone is getting screwed.
Click to expand...
150w doesn't even cover the LED downlighters in two of my rooms...
 
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heartbroken

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Just do it!!! I did mine and it's awesome having lights ALWAYS.

Total cost came in at about 6-7k, but I only have a total of about 200w worth of lights.

Mine:

2x 120w panels = about 3k
1x 105ah battery = about 2k
1x charge controller = +- 500 bucks
1x 300w PSW inverter = +- 900 bucks
wires and odds and ends = about another 1k
 
Last edited:
akescpt

akescpt

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heartbroken said:
Just do it!!! I did mine and it's awesome having lights ALWAYS.

Total cost came in at about 6-7k, but I only have a total of about 200w worth of lights.

Mine:

2x 120w panels = about 3k
1x 105ah battery = about 2k
1x charge controller = +- 500 bucks
1x 300w PSW inverter = +- 900 bucks
wires and odds and ends = about another 1k
Click to expand...

you get someone to wire it into the db?
 
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heartbroken

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akescpt said:
you get someone to wire it into the db?
Click to expand...

I did it myself, the parts are really cheap. But then you have to get an electrician to come and double check your work and to update the CoC - should be another R900 or so for him to give it the once over.

Likely my one buddy is a sparky - gave him a six pack of beer and he checked everything and did my new CoC :whistling:
 
akescpt

akescpt

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heartbroken said:
I did it myself, the parts are really cheap. But then you have to get an electrician to come and double check your work and to update the CoC - should be another R900 or so for him to give it the once over.

Likely my one buddy is a sparky - gave him a six pack of beer and he checked everything and did my new CoC :whistling:
Click to expand...

lucky. certificate of compliance?
 
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Messugga

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savage said:
And at 5W per LED downlight, that's 50W per room - not a lot...
Click to expand...
Mine are 8W models. That's 2 rooms. I have 4 in each bathroom. I have bedrooms. 150W for lightning really isn't a lot. I'm not even counting non-LED lights...
 
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savage

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Messugga said:
Mine are 8W models. That's 2 rooms. I have 4 in each bathroom. I have bedrooms. 150W for lightning really isn't a lot. I'm not even counting non-LED lights...
Click to expand...

Forgetting the lights, I would ALWAYS advise to go for the biggest inverter you can afford (especially if you plan to integrate it into a DB). The bigger units have much better solar capabilities, and you can obviously also add much more load to it over time as you go.

Either way, adequate inverters & batteries, aren't cheap...
 
greg_SA

greg_SA

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Messugga said:
Two big rooms with 10 downlighters each isn't particularly special I think...
Click to expand...

Sure, but do you have so many in EVERY room?

I have about 12 x 3.6W in the kitchen... but other bedrooms only have 4. So a total of about 60 for the whole house - so around ~200W.
 
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Messugga

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greg_SA said:
Sure, but do you have so many in EVERY room?

I have about 12 x 3.6W in the kitchen... but other bedrooms only have 4. So a total of about 60 for the whole house - so around ~200W.
Click to expand...
I'd probably need 250-300W in lightning.
 
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