- AND have a redundant system!
- Are batteries still viable in this ‘loadshedding lite’ pattern we find ourselves in?
I recently wrote an article comparing the average annual percentage increase for electricity in Nelson Mandela Bay and contrasted that with the average annual percentage increases for municipal employees and councillors. (Article here: https://mynmb.co.za/how-the-nmbm-contributes-massively-to-nelson-mandela-bays-financial-failure/)
That got me thinking about how we could zero our consumption at home and have a redundant Solar System.
Want to Join me to Free Yourself From Municipal Bills?
I have already taken the first step and prepared my Distribution Board for the installation of a Solar System (See: https://mypr.co.za/a-real-tale-of-the-cobbler-and-his-shoes/)
The second conversation is around monthly consumption – I find myself on the Top Tier and we consume around 1200 kWh’s per month.
I require a certain amount of redundancy so that means installing TWO inverters (and batteries if required).
I need to produce around of 40kwh’s per day.
That would mean around 12kw of PV Panels which is approximately 22 panels.
The redundancy idea also gives the ability to utilise an east, north, west orientation (with four MPPT’s)
A 30 – 40kWh battery bank will carry us through the night and on cloudy days.
The above setup, with two 12kW inverters will produce from 40 – 65kwh’s per day in summer – allowing for top up and self consumption.
My flatlet tenants consume around 450 units of electricity per month – so that will increase my recovery on the upfront investment a bit faster.
There are two suggestions as to equipment:
- 2 x Sunsynk 8kW Hybrid Inverters plus 6 x 5.12kWh batteries plus 20 x Tier 1 Solar Panels OR
- 2 x 12kw Sigenergy Hybrid Inverters plus 4 x 8.06kWh Sigen Battery Modules plus 22 x 550W Tier 1 Solar Panels
Estimated pricing (Including BoS, Cabling and Labour):
- Sunsynk: R237 900 – R283 500.
- Sigenergy – R282 000 – R348 000.
As Straton Solar are installers of both models my preference is for the Sigenenergy range.
Should I opt for the highest estimated amount of R348 00 then it will take me 7 years to recover that investment.
BTW – In year 7 the price of electricity (increased by 12% per annum) will be R9.02 per unit.
Next step is to get the Solar Panels up, breathe for a bit and then do the inverter and battery combinations.
Links:
Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
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First Published here: MyPR.co.za
Did You Know?
- Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
- Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
- Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
- Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
- Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
- Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
- Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.