SOLAR ELECTRIC POWER INSTEAD OF ESKOM.....?

A lot of enquiries are received from users of Eskom conventional electricity in urban and sub-urban environments,  about converting to solar  electric power. This could be very expensive. As a starting point one needs to have an indication of electricity consumption ( kWatt-hours per day/week/month)

To give an idea: if the  monthly usage is say 1000 kW-hrs ( equivalent to an R750 Eskom or municipal bill at typically 75c per kW-hr) a solar system to cater for this would cost well in excess of  R500000.00 for supply of main equipment alone, excl VAT

One can reduce electricity consumption significantly in  domestic situations by using alternatives energy sources for heating ( e.g using gas for space heating and cooking, and a solar water heater instead of electric geyser). But even if this saved R500 per month in our example, the cost of a solar electric power plant to cater for the balance would be well in excess of R300000.00

However, if the budget allows, and aspects other than conventional payback considerations are motivators, it can be done.

Alternatively you may wish to autonomously power only certain aspects with solar electrics, such as lights, or a solar powered swimming pool pump, or we could offer a grid-connect solar system which contributes power to your mains consumption, thereby contributing to electricity saving targets

The traditional market for solar electricity in South Africa ( and Africa generally)  is largely in areas where the electricity grid is relatively remote, and where the electricity consumption demand is relatively low.

SOLAR POWER AS A BACKUP SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY NOT THE WAY TO GO...

Using solar power as a back-up source for grid electricity outages is questionable -  solar panels are expensive and  do not lend themselves to intermittent ( backup) use and it it would be poor use of a costly investment. As power failures are intermittent, the solar power generator would not be used optimally, i,e making use of the sun fully  every day. Perhaps if power interruptions become more extensive and of longer duration one can add solar panels to the system.

We can offer a battery back up solution using a mains powered charger ( instead of costly solar panels) if you need to have backup power for a range of priority  items.

  The setup consists or  a battery bank together with an inverter and charger: When Eskom is available the setup  charges the battery bank. During power outage the  inverter converts DC battery power to 220V ac power. In this regard we can offer separate inverters and chargers, and also auto-switchover integrated inverter/charger units

In order to select appropriately rated equipment, and hence give a cost estimate, some parameters are required:

1. What items require backup power  
2. Indication of power consumption of these
3. Backup time you wish to cater for

 You may wish to click here  for a schedule for completion, which may assist in determining your backup needs
Please click here for some some typical power consumption ranges ( guideline only - of various appliances.

An example of an auto-switchover setup:
An inverter/charger type ASP TCNL 22/24, 2200W, 24V, with 75A integrated charger
plus 10 x batteries Deltec 1250, 12V, 102Ah
could provide about 8000Watt-hours backup electricity usage e.g. 1600W average power output for 5 hours, or 800W for 10 hours, or 400W average for 20 hours etc. Peak power output is 2200W, plus further surge power capability

When the batteries have been discharged fully , a 8-10 hour mains availability would be needed to recharge the battery bank.

Budget cost of equipment: R28000.00 excl Vat