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

[TheChamp]

Care to point these out, for interest sake?

Sure, will do shortly.

 

[Steamy Tom]

2 panels, corrected.

that unit has a 2kW battery in? 2 panels will prob do the job but there will be times that it will be shy

 

[TheChamp]

Care to point these out, for interest sake?

Firstly the system is actually limited taking into account what we discussed at the beginning of the thread about getting the basics right by going with a system that allows for future expansion. The inverter is only 3kva, that's 2400w rated power, you cannot just add batteries and panels in future as it is going to be a stumbling block.

Looking at the data sheet you will see that it limits you to only 600w, that's why you have only two panels, you cannot add more evn if you had the budget to do that, you also cannot add more batteries due to the limited charging current.

In short, if you want to expand in future you are going to have to buy a new inverter, when you have already spent more than R50k on this, not saying it is a bad system, just saying that it's a bad choice for someone planning to expand in future.

 

[qscwbt]

Start with the easy stuff. Try and reduce your consumption. LED lights, and as you replace electronic items get low energy units. Biggest saving would be a solar geyser and a gas stove.
The less power you use the less solar you would need.

 

[swakop_toe]

Sure, will do shortly.

I appreciate it.
I had my reservations about this system.
My dad insisted it to be what he wants.
I must mention, that although it is configured to behave in a grid-interactive way, my dad wanted a system to alleviate the pains of the rolling blackouts only.

 

[swakop_toe]

Firstly the system is actually limited taking into account what we discussed at the beginning of the thread about getting the basics right by going with a system that allows for future expansion. The inverter is only 3kva, that's 2400w rated power, you cannot just add batteries and panels in future as it is going to be a stumbling block.

Looking at the data sheet you will see that it limits you to only 600w, that's why you have only two panels, you cannot add more evn if you had the budget to do that, you also cannot add more batteries due to the limited charging current.

In short, if you want to expand in future you are going to have to buy a new inverter, when you have already spent more than R50k on this, not saying it is a bad system, just saying that it's a bad choice for someone planning to expand in future.

He was told it is scalable, see pg.8. View attachment BN-User-Manual_Impi-range.pdf

 

[OSiri5]

Looks like a good product at first glance but when you look closely you start seeing all the shortcomings. Check the data sheet.

Was wondering about that but doesnt mean much to me
Dont know what the shortcomings are. Will rather go parts seperate. Cheaper anyway. tx

 

[TheChamp]

I appreciate it.
I had my reservations about this system.
My dad insisted it to be what he wants.
I must mention, that although it is configured to behave in a grid-interactive way, my dad wanted a system to alleviate the pains of the rolling blackouts only.

It is perfect for that function.

 

[OSiri5]

Firstly the system is actually limited taking into account what we discussed at the beginning of the thread about getting the basics right by going with a system that allows for future expansion. The inverter is only 3kva, that's 2400w rated power, you cannot just add batteries and panels in future as it is going to be a stumbling block.

Looking at the data sheet you will see that it limits you to only 600w, that's why you have only two panels, you cannot add more evn if you had the budget to do that, you also cannot add more batteries due to the limited charging current.

In short, if you want to expand in future you are going to have to buy a new inverter, when you have already spent more than R50k on this, not saying it is a bad system, just saying that it's a bad choice for someone planning to expand in future.

Ok, so I am getting this better and better. Slowly though so need to ask. The 600w makes sense and why only two panels. BUT, wont those two panels only charge the battery and then if I had say two more panels it would be available to the grid of the house for use while the batt is charging? I also see the system allows for adding another one but that gets pricey. I might just only use this one and then do something only in 5 years or so again. will see.

Its cheaper to get seperate units if I want to make it more scalable.

 

[TheChamp]

He was told it is scalable, see pg.8. View attachment 678799

I see, what they mean is just that you can add an extra battery, the Extenda as they call it. But the inverter and charger system is limited on what you can plug on it, it will only be enough for 2400w worth of appliances, no matter that you have double the battery power. Do you know if the power stations can be connected in parallel to increase the capacity?

 

[OSiri5]

I see, what they mean is just that you can add an extra battery, the Extenda as they call it. But the inverter and charger system is limited on what you can plug on it, it will only be enough for 2400w worth of appliances, no matter that you have double the battery power. Do you know if the power stations can be connected in parallel to increase the capacity?

Hi, it says on the site you can parallel them. I just want to know if you can add more solar panels so if 600w for two will charge batt and then the extra two I can add to provide power to the house while it charges.

 

[TheChamp]

Ok, so I am getting this better and better. Slowly though so need to ask. The 600w makes sense and why only two panels. BUT, wont those two panels only charge the battery and then if I had say two more panels it would be available to the grid of the house for use while the batt is charging? I also see the system allows for adding another one but that gets pricey. I might just only use this one and then do something only in 5 years or so again. will see.

Its cheaper to get seperate units if I want to make it more scalable.

Let's put it this way, take the inverter as an access control device, in this case it can only allow 2400w to be drawn from it( 3kva~2400W), it can only allow 600W of power to be supplied into it from the panels, it can only charge the batteries at a maximum of 55Amps.

Now here is what you want to do, add another 600W of panels, but it has a limit of 600W, so no you can't.

You want to plug a kettle (2000W) and a microwave(1000), no you can't, because the inverter can only allow you to draw 2400W from it.

Suppose Swakop's old man want to add another Extenda battery, (note, it only increases the run time, not the capacity of the system) the maximum 55A charger can still charge two batteries.

The ImpiX looks more preferable to me, 1000W solar power and a 60amp charger.

 

[OSiri5]

Any thoughts on the system below:
2.5kW Domestic Solar system
6x JA Solar 320W Poly 5BB/Solis 2.5kW Package.
1x Solis 2.5kW 4G Dual MPPT Inverter
1x Current Transfomer for Solis 4G range 100A 10m
= R18,976.73 excl vat

Ill get a battery li-ion seperately cause they want R30k but the solar shop sells for R15k. The 2.5 is plenty for me. Hopefully its scalable? Can ask them as well.

 

[TheChamp]

Hi, it says on the site you can parallel them. I just want to know if you can add more solar panels so if 600w for two will charge batt and then the extra two I can add to provide power to the house while it charges.

Yes as long as you understand that ony a maximum of 2 panel at 300W in each Impi.

*love the name, could it be a declaration of war on load shedding?

 

[OSiri5]

Let's put it this way, take the inverter as an access control device, in this case it can only allow 2400w to be drawn from it( 3kva~2400W), it can only allow 600W of power to be supplied into it from the panels, it can only charge the batteries at a maximum of 55Amps.

Now here is what you want to do, add another 600W of panels, but it has a limit of 600W, so no you can't.

You want to plug a kettle (2000W) and a microwave(1000), no you can't, because the inverter can only allow you to draw 2400W from it.

Suppose Swakop's old man want to add another Extenda battery, (note, it only increases the run time, not the capacity of the system) the maximum 55A charger cab still charge two batteries.

The ImpiX looks more preferable to me, 1000W solar power and a 60amp charger.

Awesome. Thanks for explaining it so well. Will have to go bigger. Too expensive, cheaper and more scalability with seperate proper items.

 

[TheChamp]

Any thoughts on the system below:
2.5kW Domestic Solar system
6x JA Solar 320W Poly 5BB/Solis 2.5kW Package.
1x Solis 2.5kW 4G Dual MPPT Inverter
1x Current Transfomer for Solis 4G range 100A 10m
= R18,976.73 excl vat

Ill get a battery li-ion seperately cause they want R30k but the solar shop sells for R15k. The 2.5 is plenty for me. Hopefully its scalable? Can ask them as well.

Link?

 

[OSiri5]

Link?

No Link, its an email quote I received.

 

[Steamy Tom]

Any thoughts on the system below:
2.5kW Domestic Solar system
6x JA Solar 320W Poly 5BB/Solis 2.5kW Package.
1x Solis 2.5kW 4G Dual MPPT Inverter
1x Current Transfomer for Solis 4G range 100A 10m
= R18,976.73 excl vat

Ill get a battery li-ion seperately cause they want R30k but the solar shop sells for R15k. The 2.5 is plenty for me. Hopefully its scalable? Can ask them as well.

really depends on that inverter, you are also missing sundries like rails, mounting brackets, pv cable, combiner box, fusing etc

 

[TheChamp]

No Link, its an email quote I received.

Not too familiar with the Solis range but I found one selling for just over R11k, leaving about R8k for panels and a charger, if that's what they mean by current transformer.

It looks well priced, especially those 320W panels.

Be careful of scammers. Do your homework well on the online stores.

 

[OSiri5]

really depends on that inverter, you are also missing sundries like rails, mounting brackets, pv cable, combiner box, fusing etc

Sundries are fine. Those cost roughly the same all over.
Am worried about the inverter. What should I ask?