SOLAR POWER

What is the manufacturers guarantee on your inverter, batteries and PV panels? A good inverter will have a guarantee of at least 5 years. Batteries guarantee will go up to 10 years or 4000 cycles whichever comes first. PV panels have a sliding depreciation scale, usually up to 12 years’ manufacturer warrantee and 25 years’ lifetime guarantee.

Inverter like the Sunsynk can link up to 16 inverters on 1 system. This allows you to increase your system over time e.g. if you have appliances that needs 10kw of power. Installing a 5kw now for loadshedding and/or reducing your electricity bill with solar. Later in 2 years’ time another 5kw to increase your system to 10kw when funds are available.

The same can be done with the batteries, installing one now and adding later to increase your storage capabilities. This can be done up to where you can even go off grid.

1. The start is usually the most basic that people forget and that is when not in use switch off. Lights, TV, monitors, heaters, ect.
2. The biggest consuming device in most homes is the geyser. The first step is putting it on a timer. Making it go on when you choose and only use it when needed can save you a lot, especially during winter times. When a house has a solar system it will be best to set the timer for mornings after 10 am and afternoons before 3pm, when the solar can supply free power to this big consumer. Gas geyser or solar geyser is also an alternative.
3. Usually the 2nd biggest consumer is the stove. The stove is usually used at night, thus difficult to use solar to save on this. What we recommend is changing the stove to a gas stove.
4. Other big consumers like pool pumps should also be run during the peak sun hours on a timer to utilize the solar effectively.

Most people ask why is Lithium more expensive than Deep cycle batteries. The truth is, it is not! When deep cycle batteries are sold they are sold with their maximum kwh capacity they can discharge. The problem is they can only discharge up to 50% of their capacity without being damaged. E.g. a 5kwh can only give you 2.5kwh. They should be charged asap to avoid being damaged.

Lithium batteries can discharge all the way up to 80%. E.g. Freedom won 5kwh battery can deliver 4kwh. Lithium batteries can be left uncharged for long periods of time without getting damaged.

The next major big difference that really makes Deep cycle batteries more expensive is their life span compared to Lithium batteries. Most Deep cycle batteries are guaranteed for 2 years. Lithium batteries are usually 10 years or 4000 cycles.

To put it into context:

The cost of Lithium batteries of this size is around R35 000