While I bought my system outright, I have been recommending gosolr to my sister and a friend of mine. I did that based on the feedback here and the quality / brand of equipment that they’re installing.
I think the rest of your questions have been answered, but there aren’t really dumb questions. It is hard to understand exactly what it would be like having solar until you actually have the system installed and experience it for yourself. Only then do you realise that some questions are actually non-issues due to the way the system works (and some completely new questions arise that you didn’t even think to ask).
While all your questions could be answered easily here, I would recommend visiting someone with a solar system and let them give you a “tour”.
Those are some good components and it’s a system that makes sense (nothing out of proportion). Just make sure they do a compliance certificate for you and check with them if they assist with the SSEG (Small Scale Embedded Generation) registration.
I just know of it having had to submit certain documentation to GoSolr - they’ve got someone to assist you with it. From the documents it’s clear that the installers will need to complete parts of the application so they should know what it’s about. It’s not something you need to worry about beforehand though.
Is that applicable to Gauteng? I also know nothing about it and neither the electrician or installer mentioned anything. I know you must register your system in Western Cape (obviously only if you live there), but I don’t know anything about that in the rest of the country.
Different regulations for each different metro, pretty dumb really but I guess in the absence of national regulation all the municipalities had to come up with their own rules.
Yay and welcome to the club. I guarantee you will not be disappointed in this investment.
Earlier today I said that I will kost probably have load shedding. Well, despite the constant rain I’ve had power through all the load shedding schedules, and as we start our 4 hour session, the battery is 100% charge. Its a combination of charged through the panels and the grid, and its just so astonishing.
I saw you post there. Mind sharing your total cost, as I need to start buying the components for installation once our house is done (probably end of 2023). I’ll be looking at a similar sized system as yours…
I find the standard Sunsynk app to be somewhat lacking. I’ve tried connecting my Hubble Riot device, but it only gives me stats for one inverter. No combined reports or anything for the two.
I’ve now bought the solar-assist software on an Orange PI which I can use later on for smart devices or something (i.e. turning the swimming pool pump on only if there is enough PV to carry it).
Maybe just try finding an installer first who will be willing to do it for you. I also bought all the components up-front and most of the installers I contacted, either inflated their price (to make up for the lost markup on not supplying the components) or just outright refused to get involved.
I originally made contact with an installer (from the powerforum) who said I’d be looking at around R30k for installation and consumables if I supplied the main components (panels, batteries and inverters). Months later when it came to doing the actual installation, he suddenly wanted R70k coming with stories that the R30k was just for labour (despite the Whatsapps saying different). Keep in mind that I supplied the mounting system, db board for solar and most of the wiring. A lot was built into the house already so there wasn’t that many stuff to buy (actual consumables to buy was around R5000 I think).
However, if you are going to be buying the components yourself, here is where I bought from and had the best prices at the time (there are a lot of scam shops out there, so at least we know these deliver):
powerforum-store.co.za (bought Hubble batteries from them)
solar-shop.co.za - bought inverters from them. There used to be a scam site called solarshop.co.za (without the dash), but it seems they are gone now and that url now directs to the legit site.
artsolar.net - bought solar panels from them… wanted to buy their brand panels, but due to the silicon shortage at the time, they couldn’t produce any. So I got some JA Solar panels from them instead that they had in stock. I ended up buying from them because they were the only guys in the country that had stock and I wanted to buy before the next price increase (I had already caught a 30% price increase by waiting two months to buy)
kdsolar.co.za - bought their mounting system. Good price and I think possibly better than the other systems out there. The installer and electrician were both happy with them (electrician for earthing purposes)
My dad used them for installation. He didn’t have any problems. Just be aware that they’re clueless regarding the products they sell, as my dad had to change some configs on the inverter himself after countless calls to them and the installer ended in futility.
Please send @Nimatek a pm - I will make sure he checks on here
He has been helping his clients in the cape convert now for ages so he knows all the people
I’m just researching for now. I haven’t bought a new place yet, that comes in the year. Then will have solar installed. Following every bloody post in this thread
Hey, so depending on size and requirement I can suggest prepping a budget so long for the solar side.
You will be looking between R140,000 and R200,000 to get something installed that will last you a good many years. The inverter is very important as you want a proper sine wave based system and not a cheap knock-off. There are many good brands these days so getting a few quotes is always advised.
The other important factor to keep in mind is getting good batteries, most lithium options are provided with 10 years warranty but the specification you want to keep an eye on is the rated cycles.
Normally something with lower cycle count is fine where you don’t have to use the system like we do for loadshedding. But since the batteries will get a lot of use you want to get something upwards of 6 to 7000 cycles. LiFePO4 is the current latest as these units have high cycle counts and can actually be drained to 0% with no damage to the unit. The earlier releases lithium can be taken down to 30 to 35% but lower than that starts degrading them. So still better than lead acid or the gel based ones, but you will be replacing them sooner.
As to suppliers, I can provide you with contact details to a company that we work with and they do a really good job. Clean and professional without leaving leaking holes in your roof
The important thing here is to remember that inverter and battery can be started early one and then expanding to solar can come later. Of course to us now it makes more sense to get solar at the same time to try and keep the batteries charged.
You won’t exactly be saving money going this route but at least you wont be in the dark 80% of the time. So it really just depends on what you want and what you are willing to pay.
I am not expert in this regards but we have been included in many solutions now and have some experience with what works and what doesn’t.
So TLDR - get quotes from a few places, research the companies and also the product itself! Expect to pay, this is NOT cheap.
