What, where and who do I need for a Solar Starter Hybrid System 2kWh+-

[OSiri5]

I want to start with some solar (2kWh or less if I can) at home but not sure who to use, where to buy, what to avoid etc.

I just want 2-4 panels, battery, inverter and installation. I will add more panels as I go along. Its just two of us in a three bedroom home and already have a solar geyser. Want to get a starter kit that I can build up on later.

Will probably spend about R30-R40k for the whole initial startup if thats even realistic.

 

[TheChamp]

If you were able to do the installation R40k would be just enough for material. Perhaps buy the material and save some more for installation costs.
A 3kva inverter @R11k
4x 120Ah AGM batteries @ R10500
4x 250W solar panels @ R8000.
Total @R29500, excluding transport costs, wires, connectors, solar mounting hardware and labour.

You could always scale back with the idea of adding more solar panels and batteries but never cut corners on the inverter, insist on the one that supports parallel connection for when you want to expand in future.

Are you in Joburg @OSiri5 ?

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Osiris I would say that if you plan to expand later your biggest issue will be the size of the inverter.
You need to size that from the start to be what you need for your end goal. Batteries and panels can be expanded on easily but you cant just throw more panels and batteries at an undersized inverter!

 

[OSiri5]

If you were able to do the installation R40k would be just enough for material. Perhaps buy the material and save some more for installation costs.
A 3kva inverter @R11k
4x 120Ah AGM batteries @ R10500
4x 250W solar panels @ R8000.
Total @R29500, excluding transport costs, wires, connectors, solar mounting hardware and labour.

You could always scale back with the idea of adding more solar panels and batteries but never cut corners on the inverter, insist on the one that supports parallel connection for when you want to expand in future.

Are you in Joburg @OSiri5 ?

Hi, thanks for the advice. That looks almost exactly what I want to start with. Ya in JHB.

I was looking at something like the link here but with 2 less panels - https://www.solar-shop.co.za/diy-kits/194-off-grid-solar-kit-5kva.html

 

[OSiri5]

Osiris I would say that if you plan to expand later your biggest issue will be the size of the inverter.
You need to size that from the start to be what you need for your end goal. Batteries and panels can be expanded on easily but you cant just throw more panels and batteries at an undersized inverter!

Thanks. Will keep that in mind.

 

[Steamy Tom]

even with 400W panels you will not get 2kWh on 5 panels, depending on backup time also it would change your costing massively.

imo you are looking more in the region of R80k~ and then your battery bank will be very small in comparison.

 

[TheChamp]

He ca

Osiris I would say that if you plan to expand later your biggest issue will be the size of the inverter.
You need to size that from the start to be what you need for your end goal. Batteries and panels can be expanded on easily but you cant just throw more panels and batteries at an undersized inverter!

If the cost is too much he can always opt for a smaller one that has the parallel connection functionality, suppose he gets the 3kva for now and in future he wants to expand he can get another 3kva for a total of 6kva, I love those inverters, you can connect up to 6 or 9 of them.in parallel to accomodate for your power needs.

 

[Steamy Tom]

Hi, thanks for the advice. That looks almost exactly what I want to start with. Ya in JHB.

I was looking at something like the link here but with 2 less panels - https://www.solar-shop.co.za/diy-kits/194-off-grid-solar-kit-5kva.html

that kit doesn't include many things you will still need, for example a dc combiner box will set you back like R5k+ for type 1 and 2 protection

 

[TheChamp]

Hi, thanks for the advice. That looks almost exactly what I want to start with. Ya in JHB.

I was looking at something like the link here but with 2 less panels - https://www.solar-shop.co.za/diy-kits/194-off-grid-solar-kit-5kva.html

That looks perfect, check these guys, they also have kits and compare prices.
Sustainable, Sinetech and Easypower, only Sustainable had an online store last time I checked, I can vouch for their reliability. Stocks takes time to source but they always deliver and have great service.

 

[TheChamp]

that kit doesn't include many things you will still need, for example a dc combiner box will set you back like R5k+ for type 1 and 2 protection

I bought a six string fully kitted combiner box at around R5200, I a sure a two to 4 string would be cheaper than that.

 

[Steamy Tom]

I bought a six string fully kitted combiner box at around R5200, I a sure a two to 4 string would be cheaper than that.

yeah probably a little cheaper, 4 strings will seriously limit him though, but still thats a R5k~ investment he isnt considering

 

[TheChamp]

yeah probably a little cheaper, 4 strings will seriously limit him though, but still thats a R5k~ investment he isnt considering

It should be adequate for 4 panels, am I missing something?
Or did you mean for future expansion? If so yes, good point.

 

[Steamy Tom]

It should be adequate for 4 panels, am I missing something?
Or did you mean for future expansion? If so yes, good point.

yeah a 2 string combiner box would be fine for 4 panels on that system, but if he wanted to upgrade, he will look at a maximum of about 7 strings of 2 on that system. (rough guess)

 

[OSiri5]

It was an estimate. Installation I will add on to the price after I spent the R40k. So will need another R5k for a string combiner? Not sure what that is. Will google it.

 

[Steamy Tom]

It was an estimate. Installation I will add on to the price after I spent the R40k. So will need another R5k for a string combiner? Not sure what that is. Will google it.

well it depends where you live and how much protection you want etc, but yeah around R5k but it depends also how much room to upgrade you want.

installation will set you back like 5-10k probably but again depends

you should also factor a disconnect and fusing on your batteries, that's about R1k for a double disconnect with 125Amp fuses.

 

[OSiri5]

well it depends where you live and how much protection you want etc, but yeah around R5k but it depends also how much room to upgrade you want.

installation will set you back like 5-10k probably but again depends

you should also factor a disconnect and fusing on your batteries, that's about R1k for a double disconnect with 125Amp fuses.

Great thanks @Steamy Tom . That helps.

For now I just want the base stuff. In about six months I can add another inverter and more panels and batteries. For now I think the kit mentioned by @thechamp is fine. As long as I can add another parallel system with another inverter, batteries and more panels later.

A 3kva inverter
4x 120Ah AGM batteries
4x 250W solar panels (Can I get higher W panels with those batteries and inverter?)

What is the importance of panels W to the system? Need to google some more maybe.

 

[TheChamp]

Great thanks @Steamy Tom . That helps.

For now I just want the base stuff. In about six months I can add another inverter and more panels and batteries. For now I think the kit mentioned by @thechamp is fine. As long as I can add another parallel system with another inverter, batteries and more panels later.

A 3kva inverter
4x 120Ah AGM batteries
4x 250W solar panels (Can I get higher W panels with those batteries and inverter?)

What is the importance of panels W to the system? Need to google some more maybe.

Yes, up to 400W. The power of the panels means you can charge the battery quicker as well as draw enough power to power your load. If you have enough power from the panels your system can run directly from the panels to power you stuff during the day. Assuming of course that you have an adequate inverter to plug your high wattage appliances.

 

[OSiri5]

Yes, up to 400W. The power of the panels means you can charge the battery quicker as well as draw enough power to power your load. If you have enough power from the panels your system can run directly from the panels to power you stuff during the day. Assuming of course that you have an adequate inverter to plug your high wattage appliances.

thanks, makes sense. So the goal is to get enough panels to both power appliances AND charge the batteries at the same time?

So as a starter kit of 4 280W panels it might not be enough and will only charge the batteries? Or how do I work that out? I got a pool pump but the geyser is already solar so should help a bit. I dont need to have the whole house on solar. I dont mind using half eskom half solar for example.

 

[Steamy Tom]

Great thanks @Steamy Tom . That helps.

For now I just want the base stuff. In about six months I can add another inverter and more panels and batteries. For now I think the kit mentioned by @thechamp is fine. As long as I can add another parallel system with another inverter, batteries and more panels later.

A 3kva inverter
4x 120Ah AGM batteries
4x 250W solar panels (Can I get higher W panels with those batteries and inverter?)

What is the importance of panels W to the system? Need to google some more maybe.

you imo should just go 5kwh straight if you are thinking of upgrading anyway, also it is around the same price just go for 1 x 2.4kW pylontech rather than 4 x 120 gels.

the W of the panels if the peak power they can produce, it doesn't mean they always will, maybe factor like 20% loss, and then of course cloudy days and winter it will be less. It really all depends what you want but imo you at least want your panels to recharge your battery bank in about 3hours at full potential. Then the rest can be used to offset power usage but that requires you to use power when the sun is up. BUT there is more to it than this, the parameters of the system must also be taken into account, such as voltage and amperage of your charge controller.

 

[Steamy Tom]

thanks, makes sense. So the goal is to get enough panels to both power appliances AND charge the batteries at the same time?

So as a starter kit of 4 280W panels it might not be enough and will only charge the batteries? Or how do I work that out? I got a pool pump but the geyser is already solar so should help a bit. I dont need to have the whole house on solar. I dont mind using half eskom half solar for example.

48(volts) x 120AH = 5760W
divide this by 2 to allow for 50 DoD = 2800W - this is how much power you have to use without loses.

so you need to recharge this at least in the average amount of sun hours, which is something like 5.5, thus you need to replace at least 560W per hour, for 5.5 hours, so technically 2 x 300W panels could achieve this, but again, loses, clouds, bad days etc 4 x 280W should achieve this with some overhead