We finally want to pull the trigger & go Solar

[BLG]

So power usage wise I would need to do some sums to get exact figures but we have an Oven, Washing machine, Fridge/Freezer combo plus a small bar fridge - our 3 kids have a gaming rig each, The geyser has a 4kw element (from what i can tell through the Tuya app) we do make regular use of our Airfryer, dishwasher, coffee machine, microwave and of-course lights (inside and outside are now mostly LED's) and TV (65 inch) and the Fishtank (300watt heater)

my Dad lives in our "granny cottage" that has a fridge, TV, Microwave, Airfryer, LED lights and a small 30 litre geyser that uses around 2Kw but he makes use of a 2 plate stove occasionally as well hence why i figured an 8Kw over a 6Kw inverter - and why I assumed a 10Kw battery would be better suited than a 5kw battery. Let's not forget the most important ones - our work laptops, secondary screens, CPE, wifi routers and firewall etc else we need to moer to the office

 

[BLG]

My 2 cents, I agree, put at least 12 panels on from the start and get that done.
Adding a second battery is plug and play diy imo.
Don't make same mistake as me, and oversize the inverter (ie 8+kw)..
Get at least a 10kwh battery for your use case as I read it.

How do you mean oversize the inverter, excuse the silly question but does'nt that merely mean you can run more through it "comfortably" without being closer to, or at threshold if its slightly underspecced?

 

[BLG]

Voltex has even better deals: https://www.voltex.co.za/category/solar-and-backup-power/subcategory/solar-kits-and-combos

These are using Sunsynk/Hubble instead of the Deye/Dyness ones, much of a muchness though.

View attachment 1905523

I know it's hard to give an exact figure, but roughly ballpark figure what would it cost to have someone install something like this one here?

 

[vastrap1]

How do you mean oversize the inverter, excuse the silly question but does'nt that merely mean you can run more through it "comfortably" without being closer to, or at threshold if its slightly underspecced?

Indeed. I have a 5kw sunsynk, got it when I was single. Was perfect. I'm no longer single. Wife not interested in this stuff. Enough said


I would love a 8 to 12 kw inverter, and 20kwh of battery minimum. Btw, I'm trying to be 99.99% "off grid".
Have prepaid for when people visit etc.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

I know it's hard to give an exact figure, but roughly ballpark figure what would it cost to have someone install something like this one here?


View attachment 1905550

I wouldn't really know now but i would expect any where from 20k - 40k (including all mounting hardware and sundries) depending on the installer and complexity of the job.

I wouldn't go for the really cheap quotes, find an installer that has been around for a while.

 

[BLG]

Indeed. I have a 5kw sunsynk, got it when I was single. Was perfect. I'm no longer single. Wife not interested in this stuff. Enough said


I would love a 8 to 12 kw inverter, and 20kwh of battery minimum. Btw, I'm trying to be 99.99% "off grid".
Have prepaid for when people visit etc.

lol okay - no believe me the GF is VERY interested in this stuff and is just as impacted, if not more than me when it comes to sitting without power for several days (us men tend to be better at slumming it for a few days) and don't get me started on the kids not having their PC's for extended periods

 

[rh1]

I know it's hard to give an exact figure, but roughly ballpark figure what would it cost to have someone install something like this one here?


View attachment 1905550

I basically have this. Minus two panels. Bought in peak for R145k.

I paid R18k in the peak for installation.

 

[Pho3nix]

I know it's hard to give an exact figure, but roughly ballpark figure what would it cost to have someone install something like this one here?


View attachment 1905550

Around R20-25k since you aren't buying the stock from the installer. Maybe ask them to do a comparitive quote.

I'm sure you know a friend or 3 that has solar that can recommend their installer.

 

[geezer]

Our system was installed on 23 March of this year. The installation part was about R40 000, which included all things electrical and COC. The solar part included an 8KW Deye inverter, 3 x 5.12 KWh Deye batteries and 12 x 625w JA_Solar panels.

As said in other posts, expect to pay 20 - 40k for installation.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Our system was installed on 23 March of this year. The installation part was about R40 000, which included all things electrical and COC. The solar part included an 8KW Deye inverter, 3 x 5.12 KWh Deye batteries and 12 x 625w JA_Solar panels.

As said in other posts, expect to pay 20 - 40k for installation.

Ye, <=20k is like cowboy installer money (wouldn't do that), 40k feels like a reasonable amount to pay a reputable company with an experienced team.

 

[geezer]

Ye, <=20k is like cowboy installer money (wouldn't do that), 40k feels like a reasonable amount to pay a reputable company with an experienced team.

The company that did our installation is considered the absolute best in the Vaal Triangle area. We didn’t want to cheap out on a sub-par installation. PV Greencard installer, the owner and main installer is a qualified and certified engineer.

 

[Sopbeen]

Ye, <=20k is like cowboy installer money (wouldn't do that), 40k feels like a reasonable amount to pay a reputable company with an experienced team.

The other thing to mention is if you source the components via reputable installers, they generally take care of in-warranty problems at their own cost. A lot of installers won't do that if you self-source. Most installers will match pricing.

Our system was installed on 23 March of this year. The installation part was about R40 000, which included all things electrical and COC. The solar part included an 8KW Deye inverter, 3 x 5.12 KWh Deye batteries and 12 x 625w JA_Solar panels.

As said in other posts, expect to pay 20 - 40k for installation.

Nice system, I would just get a few more panels if the roof/budget allows. There is never enough PV for winter in the Western Cape.

 

[geezer]

The other thing to mention is if you source the components via reputable installers, they generally take care of in-warranty problems at their own cost. A lot of installers won't do that if you self-source. Most installers will match pricing.


Nice system, I would just get a few more panels if the roof/budget allows. There is never enough PV for winter in the Western Cape.

Roof allows, budget unfortunately not.

 

[Sopbeen]

Roof allows, budget unfortunately not.

Hahaha, thats generally how it goes. Sure as hell is much easier to spend money than to make it.

 

[NR7]

So power usage wise I would need to do some sums to get exact figures but we have an Oven, Washing machine, Fridge/Freezer combo plus a small bar fridge - our 3 kids have a gaming rig each, The geyser has a 4kw element (from what i can tell through the Tuya app) we do make regular use of our Airfryer, dishwasher, coffee machine, microwave and of-course lights (inside and outside are now mostly LED's) and TV (65 inch) and the Fishtank (300watt heater)

my Dad lives in our "granny cottage" that has a fridge, TV, Microwave, Airfryer, LED lights and a small 30 litre geyser that uses around 2Kw but he makes use of a 2 plate stove occasionally as well hence why i figured an 8Kw over a 6Kw inverter - and why I assumed a 10Kw battery would be better suited than a 5kw battery. Let's not forget the most important ones - our work laptops, secondary screens, CPE, wifi routers and firewall etc else we need to moer to the office

Prepare yourself for the rabbit hole of solar research and the realisation you need multiple inverters or one really big one.

I don’t have half your stuff and when tallying up the start up loads my peaks would trip a 8kw inverter when passthrough disappears in a power outage.

 

[B-1]

Maybe give us a budget and we can recommended a system based on the layout you have shared?

 

[spit]

I’ve paid R23,600 for labour, COC, mounting kit, etc. (July last year). This was for 12 panels, a 5k inverter, and 2 × 5.12kWh batteries—just to give you an idea.
The company has apparently been around since 1962.

 

[Bliksis]

Review Companies Online | Customer Service & Company Ratings | hellopeter.com

www.hellopeter.com

I don't really trust HelloPeter. I've left bad reviews, never good. Good is for Google reviews.

 

[BLG]

Maybe give us a budget and we can recommended a system based on the layout you have shared?

We only have 80K at the moment, if we looking at 40K for installation we going to need to hold off for a bit which is disappointing as we felt we were so close last thing I want is a small loan that will negate any savings on electricity via the panels, so bit of a catch 22

 

[BLG]

This makes no sense whatsoever because 1 you will be paying to charge those batteries.

Two the most expensive installation IS the solar panels so to add more later is going to cost you a fortune.

You do AS MUCH SOLAR AS YOU CAN up front and rather leave the battery/ies as an upgrade.

Where's the logic in buying a 8kW inverter and then feeding it 2kW from solar?

View attachment 1905526

That should just about max out each MPPT per string...can probably do 9 on each string but then you are over the inverter limit anyway and it will trim off the excess but it certainly won't hurt.

So after all the advice we got yesterday we have been considering this type of system above, with the exception of either a single smaller battery to start with - or, reduce the panels to 12 (but acknowledge what others have advised about prioritizing panels over batteries rather) I realize its not ideal but will allow us to buy the hardware and hang onto it while we have a little more motivation to put away for the installation a bit later. Pricing looks much better than when we looked 3 or 4 years ago and it seemed out of reach at 250k, I don't how fast that can change with current world affairs but would hate to let current prices slip and find it has doubled again when we ready