The problem with completely going off the grid

ebendl said:
It's not as simple as buying a generator and just plugging it in. Most grid-tied PV systems adhere to the grid code - if the grid code's specs isn't 100% correct, it disconnects from the grid. Therefore you need a seriously good generator to adhere to the same grid code - or your inverter will disconnect.

You can of course get a separate AC charger for your battery and connect that - thereby increasing the cost of your system.
You can get a better inverter with multiple AC inputs and multiple grid codes - thereby "relaxing" the one for the generator - and thus pushing up the cost of your system.

Also, if it is raining for a day you will postpone laundry, sure. If it rains for a week, you're very likely going to want to wash clothes AND dry them after a week - thereby using MORE electricity.

If you're offgrid you're most likely going to have to decide if you fit a gas geyser - thereby increasing the cost of your setup. Sure, you can do solar, but if you're without sun for a week most solar geysers are useless.

I honestly don't think the idea of oversizing your system by 2 or 3 times is far-fetched.

Most people I know happily fall back to Eskom when the weather is bad. But then again, most people I know are in Pretoria where there's no insane grid connectivity fees.

EDIT: OK, to be fair, if you're going off-grid you can likely relax the grid code on a single AC inverter to be able to work with a genny.
Click to expand...

Huh???

1719575290636.png
 
People Power said:
Not sure who did this study but its complete BS. Most house holds will get by with a 5kw system and 10 to 15kw battery. Hot water needs to be solar or heat pump or both if posible. Increase hot water storage if posible. 400 to 600 litres. Led for all lighting and gas hob as most people cook after sunset. Backup generator would be required for off grid. I have only run my generator twice in the last 10 months, once as a result of 23power outage and once with prolong overcast weather plus load sheading
Click to expand...

Induction also works great (not for everything, but it is scary powerful). I've got both. Mainly got the induction to use up power (and save gas) cause my battery is mostly at 100% during the day. Also makes coffee in the Bialetti extremely fast.

IMO gas geyser for bathrooms is the way to go. Running out of hot water in the shower/bath is just not on.
Best of both worlds is either a solar or standard/heatpump tank geyser, set to run when the battery is at X%, but then still run the water through a constant temperature or forced exhaust gas geyser.
For toilet tap/kitchen tap (if you have a dishwasher) I rate just get those small under-sink geysers, as those taps only get used for small amounts of hot water and having instant hot water is more important than being able to provide "unlimited hot water" for a quick hand/face wash or to rinse out a glass after standing there like a moron waiting for the hot water to make it's way through the pipes.
 
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Thugscub said:
A 5kw solar panel system will happily charge 2x5kw lithium batteries.
Creating the electricity is easy. Storing it is another can of worms.
Panels are so cheap now its time to buy.
Batteries are also going down about R16k.
Voltex has huge stock they are trying to get rid of.
So dudes fusk Escum and go solar.
Click to expand...

Panels are so cheap that it's reached the stage where it's better to buy more panels than extra batteries to get through the rainy days, as they still perform at like 20%, and if the sun peeks out for an hour or two you're basically charged up again.

As an example, you can get a 500w panel for around 1500 bucks now. So 15k will buy 10 of those and will give you 5000W.

At 20% performance during rain that's still 1000W coming in. Let's say conservatively 6 hours of that is 6kwh. That's on par with the 5kwh battery linked above at the same price and will actually generate a kakload of extra power for you rather than just sitting there.
 
Last edited:
wingnut771 said:
Just had a look, Voltex looks like a rip off.

5kWh now R15k:

Shop - LiFePO₄WER Lithium Batteries

LiFePO₄WER is a South African Importer and Distributor of backup Lithium Batteries. Available in 12/24/48V and 8Ah/100Ah and 200Ah capacities.
lifepower.za.com lifepower.za.com
View attachment 1732601
Click to expand...
Used this company before, they are legit. Wow... battery prices are going insanely low!
1719578749196.png
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za

FELICITY SOLAR 5KWH 48V BATTERY

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A FELICITY SOLAR 5KWH BATTERY ? SOLARWAY SUPPLIERS HAVE THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD/BUSINESS.
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za


1719578666095.png
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za

5.2KW MUST FELICITY 5KWH BUNDLE

THIS BUNDLE INCLUDES: 1 x 5.2KW MUST PRO INVERTER 1 x 5KWH FELICITY SOLAR BATTERY
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za
 
tetrasect said:
Induction also works great (not for everything, but it is scary powerful). I've got both. Mainly got the induction to use up power (and save gas) cause my battery is mostly at 100% during the day. Also makes coffee in the Bialetti extremely fast.

IMO gas geyser for bathrooms is the way to go. Running out of hot water in the shower/bath is just not on.
Best of both worlds is either a solar or standard/heatpump tank geyser, set to run when the battery is at X%, but then still run the water through a constant temperature or forced exhaust gas geyser.
For toilet tap/kitchen tap (if you have a dishwasher) I rate just get those small under-sink geysers, as those taps only get used for small amounts of hot water and having instant hot water is more important than being able to provide "unlimited hot water" for a quick hand/face wash or to rinse out a glass after standing there like a moron waiting for the hot water to make it's way through the pipes.
Click to expand...
I agree to all that except the gas and heat pump (until they halve in price) part.
 
tetrasect said:
Used this company before, they are legit. Wow... battery prices are going insanely low!
View attachment 1732655
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za

FELICITY SOLAR 5KWH 48V BATTERY

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A FELICITY SOLAR 5KWH BATTERY ? SOLARWAY SUPPLIERS HAVE THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD/BUSINESS.
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za


View attachment 1732653
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za

5.2KW MUST FELICITY 5KWH BUNDLE

THIS BUNDLE INCLUDES: 1 x 5.2KW MUST PRO INVERTER 1 x 5KWH FELICITY SOLAR BATTERY
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za
Click to expand...

NICE.gif
 
tetrasect said:
Used this company before, they are legit. Wow... battery prices are going insanely low!
View attachment 1732655
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za

FELICITY SOLAR 5KWH 48V BATTERY

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A FELICITY SOLAR 5KWH BATTERY ? SOLARWAY SUPPLIERS HAVE THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD/BUSINESS.
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za


View attachment 1732653
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za

5.2KW MUST FELICITY 5KWH BUNDLE

THIS BUNDLE INCLUDES: 1 x 5.2KW MUST PRO INVERTER 1 x 5KWH FELICITY SOLAR BATTERY
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za
Click to expand...
As long as they have a bms to control the power going into the battery. Mixing and matching lithium batteries could be entertaining. Best I go and check my house insurance.
 
tetrasect said:
Used this company before, they are legit. Wow... battery prices are going insanely low!
View attachment 1732655
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za

FELICITY SOLAR 5KWH 48V BATTERY

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A FELICITY SOLAR 5KWH BATTERY ? SOLARWAY SUPPLIERS HAVE THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD/BUSINESS.
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za


View attachment 1732653
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za

5.2KW MUST FELICITY 5KWH BUNDLE

THIS BUNDLE INCLUDES: 1 x 5.2KW MUST PRO INVERTER 1 x 5KWH FELICITY SOLAR BATTERY
www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za www.solarwaysuppliers.co.za
Click to expand...
Scotts battery wins for now:
1719580704717.png
 
Thugscub said:
As long as they have a bms to control the power going into the battery. Mixing and matching lithium batteries could be entertaining. Best I go and check my house insurance.
Click to expand...
Nah, nothing (bad) will happen, just as long as you don't mix NMC with LFP or 15s with 16s.
 
Last edited:
wingnut771 said:
Well, it does say max "continuous" of 100A.

No time limit.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't worry about it. Don't think I've ever maxed my inverter out at 5000W. Wouldn't want to. Really no need to run the microwave, kettle, washing machine, dishwasher and toaster all at the same time. :p

Also, I rate one of those batteries is not enough. Two is better. Especially at this price.
 
tetrasect said:
Induction also works great (not for everything, but it is scary powerful). I've got both. Mainly got the induction to use up power (and save gas) cause my battery is mostly at 100% during the day. Also makes coffee in the Bialetti extremely fast.

IMO gas geyser for bathrooms is the way to go. Running out of hot water in the shower/bath is just not on.
Best of both worlds is either a solar or standard/heatpump tank geyser, set to run when the battery is at X%, but then still run the water through a constant temperature or forced exhaust gas geyser.
For toilet tap/kitchen tap (if you have a dishwasher) I rate just get those small under-sink geysers, as those taps only get used for small amounts of hot water and having instant hot water is more important than being able to provide "unlimited hot water" for a quick hand/face wash or to rinse out a glass after standing there like a moron waiting for the hot water to make it's way through the pipes.
Click to expand...
Gas geyser can also run out, plus it also costs more then electricity
 
Lupus said:
Gas geyser can also run out
Click to expand...
The normal bullnose regulators are only 1kg/hour. For a most gas geysers you need more than that, so you're looking at a 4kg inline regulator which you can attach a bullnose adapter to, but it's much better to buy a changeover kit like the one pictured below, along with a hosetail adapter. So when the gas does run out you just flick the switch to the next cylinder.

1719583067901.jpeg

This is the cheapest place I can find them online:

Lupus said:
, plus it also costs more then electricity
Click to expand...

Yeah cause electricity is free. But you can't be running multiple geysers on a rainy day unless you have kakloads of panels/batteries.

Hence why I said best is to pre-heat the water using excess solar power and then you use minimal gas but aren't constrained by weather.
 
tetrasect said:
The normal bullnose regulators are only 1kg/hour. For a most gas geysers you need more than that, so you're looking at a 4kg inline regulator which you can attach a bullnose adapter to, but it's much better to buy a changeover kit like the one pictured below, along with a hosetail adapter. So when the gas does run out you just flick the switch to the next cylinder.

View attachment 1732721

This is the cheapest place I can find them online:



Yeah cause electricity is free. But you can't be running multiple geysers on a rainy day unless you have kakloads of panels/batteries.

Hence why I said best is to pre-heat the water using excess solar power and then you use minimal gas but aren't constrained by weather.
Click to expand...
No, but you can run the genny that runs on lpg for an hour or three.
 
ESKOM ESLEG ESDOM ESKELM said:
Sounds as if this Hanno Labuschagne chap is employed by ESKOM to discourage people from installing solar. Particularly since the prices have come down significantly.
Man Labuschagne jy skryf ń klomp blerrie snert tipies joernalis.
Jy het die kat aan die gat beet. You don't need as many panels as this ignorant Hanno suggests. You just incorporate a backup generator into you system and charge the batteries when there's been too little sunshine.
Click to expand...
He is not the best journalist here by miles.
 
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