Hey everyone, what a super cool day this is. This Solar System is finally installed and fully operational. What makes this system so fantastic is that it is grid tied. A 'Grid-Tied' System basically entails putting power back onto the grid. This means when your electricity meter is running (in reverse) and the sun is shining onto the solar panels you are actually building credits to your monthly bill.
How awesome is this view? I can categorically state, a dream come true albeit not mine, the landlords, but working towards my own and still enjoying the benefits, what a bonus!
This has many benefits, personally I would want to be 100% off grid and independent of government and their pathetic services, but this was my landlords decision and not mine. There are many benefits operating the system this way (grid tied) too however.
As soon as the mainstream electrical supply cuts the solar automatically kicks in without lag, meaning you will not even be aware of the power out! In the event of anything going wrong with the solar installation you still have the main grid backup, as well as the opposite been true!
Having a look inside the 'Power Room' that houses the new Solar DB Board as well as the 2x 200 AMP Hour Lithium Iron Battery packs. I am not the most experienced person to comment on Solar Systems but I do know a little from my experience with the smaller systems and in my humble opinion 30 x 280 Watt Solar Panels to charge only 2 x 200 AMP Hour batteries to me seems a little overkill? Any electricians out there that can elucidate? I would say 30 panels will easily suffice for at least ten batteries of this size?
I think my point is simply, they installed too many panels and too few batteries! These 30 panels 280 watt x 30 that is almost 9kilowatts charging just 2 x 200 amp hour battery, I smell a good sales man??
A look at the batteries positioned and installed in a horizontal fashion on the wall, they do look quiet big, just as stated above the capacity concerns me?
Having a look outside again and from the underside of the panels nice neat compact connections, panels all installed side by side and facing the Summer sun at an angle of around 30 degrees, which is optimal for Pretoria East South Africa where we reside!
This system cost around R300 000 ($20 000) which is super expensive, but based on the regular power outs we experience in South Africa and the high price of electricty, should pay itself off in just 2 years or less, going forward after that literally is a case of FREE ENERGY! Amazing right?
One of the major concerns my landlord had with this system was that the main structure was a little 'flimsy' for the size of the structure and amount of panels installed which is fine until we have a massive storm and high winds! They agreed to add more concrete foundations and steel pillars which they did.
Here we have the Queen of the property Lungo a 2 year old Boerboel Matriarch of this property enjoying the shade rendered by the solar panels! I am quiet sure she thinks this new 'personal mansion' was installed for her ;) Gorgeous Animal she is..
Solar power and off-gridding, self-sustainable living really is incredible and another key element to surviving the tumultuous times in which we live. Another big step in the right direction.
Trust you have a super cool week!
Cheer$;)
