Solar options for home in 2022

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#3273791 20-Aug-2024 11:25

That's a good price @RobDickinson but I would add another 2kW to 3kW of panels to maximize the 10kW inverter capacity specially on cloudy or overcast days. It's best to over provision your panels by up to a multiplier of 1.25 at minimum of rated inverter capacity. Some even do 1.35 multiplier if inverter can handle it.

Do whatever you want to do man.

HarmLessSolutions

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#3273792 20-Aug-2024 11:25

RobDickinson:

OK first quote (basic no site visit for this one)

24 x Dasolar DAS-DH108NA440 solar panels rated at a 10.56 kW
DC maximum output
1 x Sungrow SH10RS inverter rated at 10 kW AC output
1 x Sungrow SBR128 battery operating

$35k

Single phase inverter so be aware of your lines co's export cap (typically 5kW/phase). That battery is 12.8kWh so an hour's peak generation will see that full. Daytime charging of an EV, if practical in your case, plus diversion to HWC or other household will help to 'soak up' generation at peak times but expect inverter throttling back otherwise.

https://www.harmlesssolutions.co.nz/

RobDickinson

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#3273846 20-Aug-2024 12:02

billgates:

That's a good price @RobDickinson but I would add another 2kW to 3kW of panels to maximize the 10kW inverter capacity specially on cloudy or overcast days. It's best to over provision your panels by up to a multiplier of 1.25 at minimum of rated inverter capacity. Some even do 1.35 multiplier if inverter can handle it.

HarmLessSolutions:

Single phase inverter so be aware of your lines co's export cap (typically 5kW/phase). That battery is 12.8kWh so an hour's peak generation will see that full. Daytime charging of an EV, if practical in your case, plus diversion to HWC or other household will help to 'soak up' generation at peak times but expect inverter throttling back otherwise.

So here is the duality of solar - add more to clip the inverter and get more winter/shoulder power, but have less because full battery!

Looking at their plan I could fit another 2x panels up there for 11.5kw potentially 2 more but unlikely, afik that inverter seems to be able to take 200% of rated

And yes Orion is capped at 5kw export

No idea what I need to do to divert power to water or ev, will the inverter smarts handle it? I dont have an EV charger right now (just a trickle charger) , and the water is immersion heater on ripple.

HarmLessSolutions

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#3273854 20-Aug-2024 12:19

RobDickinson:

.....

No idea what I need to do to divert power to water or ev, will the inverter smarts handle it? I dont have an EV charger right now (just a trickle charger) , and the water is immersion heater on ripple.

We have both an Evnex E2 and a Paladin diverter which together with our Fronius inverter have CT clamps to our homes outgoing main. When 'excess' generation (i.e. export) is detected they initiate EV charging (if connected) and turn on our HWC respectively. In the case of the inverter the CT clamp is the export cap monitor and if >5kW is detected the inverter is throttled accordingly.

The Paladin is the single best component in our solar system and ensures that up to 3kW (HWC element rating) is sent to water heating until mid morning typically. Its sensitivity and immediacy means it plays nicely with the Evnex with EV charging gaining second priority due to the lags involved in the Evnex's monitoring and EV comms. We have no battery in our setup but a 2016 30kWh Leaf is intended as a potential V2G role going forward. Our HWC is essentially a 'poor man's battery' by way of the Paladin.

I understand the Eddi diverter is also worth considering but the IBoost one is one to be wary of in terms of reliability. A reputable solar designer/installer should be able to advise about the above components based on your situation and planned use model.

https://www.harmlesssolutions.co.nz/

dantheperson

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#3273855 20-Aug-2024 12:35

RobDickinson:

OK first quote (basic no site visit for this one)

24 x Dasolar DAS-DH108NA440 solar panels rated at a 10.56 kW
DC maximum output
1 x Sungrow SH10RS inverter rated at 10 kW AC output
1 x Sungrow SBR128 battery operating

$35k

If there is one thing i'd do differently, it'd be getting a hybrid inverter that works with off the shelf 48v batteries. There might be a fractional efficiency cost compared to high voltage batteries, but the cost saving makes up for that. The ability to install / upgrade / replace the battery myself really appeals. Disappointed that the Fronius only works with two models of battery.

For others I am sure an integrated same brand setup will have more appeal.

RobDickinson

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#3273865 20-Aug-2024 13:28

The Sungrow SBR128 has expandable 2kwh units but dunno if that is user installable

also if I am going to something like the new ecotricity buy back plan it needs to be an approved installer etc

dantheperson

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#3273895 20-Aug-2024 14:54

RobDickinson:

The Sungrow SBR128 has expandable 2kwh units but dunno if that is user installable

also if I am going to something like the new ecotricity buy back plan it needs to be an approved installer etc

Oh for sure stick with a licensed electrician to do your solar install. It was certainly a requirement of Vector to see that the install all been signed of by a sparky and certificate of compliance or some such has been issued. Also, that it was an approved inverter, or otherwise met the the NZ or EU standards. But i figure if you are dealing with 48V batteries, you can hook that up yourself at a later date, and the prices of LFP batteries is dropping fast. Whereas i'm not going to touch 500V DC wiring.

Seems like you are looking at $10K to get a battery from the big solar installers, whereas if you purchase your own LFP battery on aliexpress, sticking to reputable sellers, selling reputable brands, it's more like NZ$2K for 5kWh or 3.5K for 10kWh. Of course you are on your own for warranty and support, so pros and cons.

RobDickinson

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#3273896 20-Aug-2024 14:56

I could save a few thousand and burn my house down!

eonsim

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#3273962 20-Aug-2024 18:47

RobDickinson:

OK first quote (basic no site visit for this one)

24 x Dasolar DAS-DH108NA440 solar panels rated at a 10.56 kW
DC maximum output
1 x Sungrow SH10RS inverter rated at 10 kW AC output
1 x Sungrow SBR128 battery operating

$35k

Seems reasonable, Typically I'd also agree with the others add as many extra panels as you can. It does depend on how much power you use per day though, if you use a lot then add extra panels, if your use is on the lighter side maybe focus on other things like solar diverters or a solar aware car charger.

Regardless you could look at dropping the inverter size down to 8-9kWh it would save a bit of money with minimal reduction in actual generation. Or you could add two panels and drop the inverter down which may cancel out the costs.

In summer you could be looking at generating 40-50kWh per day on average, so the battery should pretty much always be charged (1-2 hours at peak) and then your system will limit it's self to export 5kW + household use. So to get the most out of the power you would want to have other stores you can dump power into (pool, hotwater cylinder via diverter or timer, spa, electric car).

In winter you may be looking at more like 16-20kWh a day (average) so depending on your house hold use, you should have enough to often charge up the battery depending on your base load, but you won't be exporting much.

Regardless of what you decide to do, I'd highly suggest you only go with a solar installer who actually visits the site before the contract is signed.

RobDickinson

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#3273964 20-Aug-2024 18:59

eonsim:

Regardless of what you decide to do, I'd highly suggest you only go with a solar installer who actually visits the site before the contract is signed.

Oh for sure and these were more than willing to come out.

Currently we use 20kwh or so in summer and ~45kwh in winter.

prob

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Master Geek
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#3273970 20-Aug-2024 19:19

Just checked and it looks like my network company (Vector) limits me to uploading no more that 5kW back to the grid.

4.6 Phase Imbalance
To ensure any voltage imbalance that may be introduced into the Vector distribution network is
kept to an acceptable level, the capacity for single phase distributed generators (including the
capacity of the connecting inverter) connected to the Vector network shall be limited to 5kW. Three
phase distributed generators shall have a balanced output with respect to its capacity with a
tolerance of no more than 5kW imbalance between any phases

RobDickinson

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#3274172 21-Aug-2024 14:08

RobDickinson:

OK first quote (basic no site visit for this one)

24 x Dasolar DAS-DH108NA440 solar panels rated at a 10.56 kW
DC maximum output
1 x Sungrow SH10RS inverter rated at 10 kW AC output
1 x Sungrow SBR128 battery operating

$35k

Exactly the same system quoted by someone else for $41k with some 'wiggle room get back to them they'll talk to the boss see what they can do'