mktinsight:
I recently installed a 1.5Kva Luminous Solar Hybrid Inverter with 2 220ah Luminous Flooded Inverlast batteries. The load on the inverter is roughly 10 5Watt LED bulbs, 2 70w fans and a 32 inch LED TV with GoTV decoder.

I want to add some solar panels and I have several questions:

1) What Solar panels do you recommend with PROVEN high production efficiencies? I read of Flames, Suntech, Canadian Solar, Yingli, etc. etc.

2) The Luminous Solar Hybrid has an in-built CC of 40a. Does anyone have experience with this inverter? Should I still buy a separate MPPT for the solar setup or use the inbuilt?

3) I read about the importance of equalizing batteries. How often should I do this for my batteries, what charger should I use and for how long?

Thanks.

Saipro:

For the first few months, I ran a PV array of about 70V which had much higher current in the line but closer to CC optimization curves. The next two years, I optimised my system by having a PV string of 100V for a charge voltage of 57.2V. While having higher VoC, this system harvested better (despite less promising optimization curve yields).
The current arrangement has 4 panels in a row for a VoC of about 140V. Wakes up earlier and sleeps later (harvest not significant). What is significant however are the harvests during overcast weather and days when panels are dust coated. I get up to 15% increment in harvest. While it might not seem like much, it makes all the difference between waking up to 88% rather than 82%. Or on deep discharge days (82% for me), ending the day on float or absorb at 99%. Over the months and years, that's a lot.

Namzy:

How much total?

Namzy:

1. There's really no way best way to determine best solar panels as some tier 2 might even be better than tier 1 companies best bet is to look for specifications of each solar panel and it helps to buy tier 1 as you are usually likely to get a better product. I recommend jinko solar. Buy direct from supplier for cheaper rates. Eg 340w mono goes for 60k
2. Luminous hybrid comes with pwm controller you'd be better of with the increased power from an mppt controller considering your battery size which would need equalizing at least 2 times a year. Get fangpusun blue solar 50a from AliExpress for 37k for led version which solves the problem as it is mppt and has equalizing function. If going for the fangpusun update yourself about it pros and cons which majorly is you must not update but at its 1.16 firmware its still very much a good product

ojeysky:


Cool am sticking with getting the GK series then, please I will be interested in how you finally did your setup:
The wire size and distance to CC, DC breaker specs, other accessories used and how they are connected

earthrealm:


good advice, but i tot the fangpusun clone equalizing function is turned off by default....how do you turn it on??

mktinsight:
I recently installed a 1.5Kva Luminous Solar Hybrid Inverter with 2 220ah Luminous Flooded Inverlast batteries. The load on the inverter is roughly 10 5Watt LED bulbs, 2 70w fans and a 32 inch LED TV with GoTV decoder.

I want to add some solar panels and I have several questions:

1) What Solar panels do you recommend with PROVEN high production efficiencies? I read of Flames, Suntech, Canadian Solar, Yingli, etc. etc.

2) The Luminous Solar Hybrid has an in-built CC of 40a. Does anyone have experience with this inverter? Should I still buy a separate MPPT for the solar setup or use the inbuilt?

3) I read about the importance of equalizing batteries. How often should I do this for my batteries, what charger should I use and for how long?

Thanks.

Namzy:

1. There's really no way best way to determine best solar panels as some tier 2 might even be better than tier 1 companies best bet is to look for specifications of each solar panel and it helps to buy tier 1 as you are usually likely to get a better product. I recommend jinko solar. Buy direct from supplier for cheaper rates. Eg 340w mono goes for 60k
2. Luminous hybrid comes with pwm controller you'd be better of with the increased power from an mppt controller considering your battery size which would need equalizing at least 2 times a year. Get fangpusun blue solar 50a from AliExpress for 37k for led version which solves the problem as it is mppt and has equalizing function. If going for the fangpusun update yourself about it pros and cons which majorly is you must not update but at its 1.16 firmware its still very much a good product

mktinsight:
I recently installed a 1.5Kva Luminous Solar Hybrid Inverter with 2 220ah Luminous Flooded Inverlast batteries. The load on the inverter is roughly 10 5Watt LED bulbs, 2 70w fans and a 32 inch LED TV with GoTV decoder.

I want to add some solar panels and I have several questions:

1) What Solar panels do you recommend with PROVEN high production efficiencies? I read of Flames, Suntech, Canadian Solar, Yingli, etc. etc.

2) The Luminous Solar Hybrid has an in-built CC of 40a. Does anyone have experience with this inverter? Should I still buy a separate MPPT for the solar setup or use the inbuilt?

3) I read about the importance of equalizing batteries. How often should I do this for my batteries, what charger should I use and for how long?

Thanks.

Namzy:

You can request for the seller to turn it on or you can do that yourself which is why I recommend to get the led version because it has the usb connection on the outside unlike the new lcd version that you need to open, disconnect the display to connect the cable. You will need to buy or build your own fangpusun cable [which is way cheaper] and download an old victron app version which is very easy to find online [which will prevent you from upgrading b4 it works] to enable equalize function and freq by urself

Namzy:

1. There's really no way best way to determine best solar panels as some tier 2 might even be better than tier 1 companies best bet is to look for specifications of each solar panel and it helps to buy tier 1 as you are usually likely to get a better product. I recommend jinko solar. Buy direct from supplier for cheaper rates. Eg 340w mono goes for 60k
2. Luminous hybrid comes with pwm controller you'd be better of with the increased power from an mppt controller considering your battery size which would need equalizing at least 2 times a year. Get fangpusun blue solar 50a from AliExpress for 37k for led version which solves the problem as it is mppt and has equalizing function. If going for the fangpusun update yourself about it pros and cons which majorly is you must not update but at its 1.16 firmware its still very much a good product

earthrealm:


are you sure, you wanna buy from me?
i have about 6months old long batts,they fare well under loads below 1kw, but drop voltage with higher loading

earthrealm:


could you post the aliexpress link, searched didnt c any . 37k is a steal meehnnn

pranil:


if the inverter is charging at 15 amp in presence of grid then the CC will only contribute 5 amps if the grid is not available then CC will add max 22 amps ( max C10 charge rate) if set higher the battery life will be reduced. It is an overkill to add separate CC considering the 1500 VA inverter is actually a 900 Watt inverter at 25 DEG C

zeestone99:


For the panels buy Any1 dat suits ur budget, if the fund is available, go for Canadian solar.
It's better u get an external cc, 40amps epsolar or 50amps fangpusun with display. I won't advice u get the led version, as u ll stil b tempted to buy an external monitor, whtz d point wen u can't see whtz happening, hw do u also troubleshoot.
For purchase of panels or controller u can call/whatapp 08117398294... Gracias

mktinsight:


Thanks a lot for the info. Where can I get Jinko Solar panels straight from the manufacturer?

zeestone99:


For the panels buy Any1 dat suits ur budget, if the fund is available, go for Canadian solar.
It's better u get an external cc, 40amps epsolar or 50amps fangpusun with display. I won't advice u get the led version, as u ll stil b tempted to buy an external monitor, whtz d point wen u can't see whtz happening, hw do u also troubleshoot.
For purchase of panels or controller u can call/whatapp 08117398294... Gracias

mktinsight:


Thanks a lot for the info. Where can I get Jinko Solar panels straight from the manufacturer?

Namzy:

Lol you sure say you look well? 100/50a led version
12v 24v solar controller MPPT solar controller model 100v
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cgMXj71Q
For lcd 100/50a version
Wholesale price for FANGPUSUN TOPSALE MPPT solar controller
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/c5A2UbwY

earthrealm:

Ok lolz..subconciously tot you meant the 48v model ...awoof tinz

pranil:


If it the NRG 1500 I have installed a couple of them. Beware that the CC is not delivering 40 amp to battery. the charging current is limited to max 15 Amp in fast charge mode and 10 amp in Icharge ( efficient mode). The reason is the inverter is recommended to be used with 150 Ah x 2 tubular flooded batteries in India. Unless your NEPA is stable you will take a long time to charge 200 AH at 10 amp

The higher wattage of solar panels although can be used by the inverter to supply to load in Eco mode ( activated using white push button) even if grid is available

Namzy:

Yea that's true but you can't connect the victron cable to the lcd model to enable equalization or equalization Interval even though you can ask the seller to enable it for you but theres nothing like activating equalization any time you want esp when you have time to monitor said equalization. And with the cable you can see all the harvest information on your phone with an otg cable which i even prefer than the buttons on my bmv 700
Meanwhile I'm still trying to see why Canadian solar is more expensive than jinko solar since both have comparable specs and from latest Bloomberg [3rd and 4th quarter 2018] tier 1 rankings jinko solar is number 1 having moved more solar panels in worldwide distribution. Guess it's by brand name and many Nigerians having used and confirmed Canadian solar as top quality

zeestone99:
.

Mr namzy, i rili don't understand where u r driving at tbh, the fangpusun controller I'm talkin abt has equalization settings, u can jst scroll the menu and activate it. D controller has its display screen and selection buttons embedded in it. U dnt need any cable, victron screen, USB blablabla.
Secondly for the panel, the higher the price is not proportional to quality. It's jst a brand thing. We r jst dropping brands and reviews here based on what we laid our hands on. Remember the cc war in previous post.... Gracias

earthrealm:
looking for the installation videos of the prefabricated solar mounts, want to see if its an easy diy ops.
kiekie, chris1876, or c0ogumuo posted the youtube videos some years ago, hv trid digging tru their old posts, zero hits, abeg anyone that has the video link or diy ed it, should post and confirm if its an easy diy ops

Chuckdee:


Hi Eathrealm,

Not sure if you have found the video already but here is the one I used when setting up mine, it is well detailed. Cheers


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzW5X1ZOL5w

earthrealm:


Thanks..yeah stumbled across this one while searching..its the closest to the systems sold in naija.
Did u do diy?...if yes...is the use of electric drill/screw driver optional?

Dam5reey:


I believe this is the best approach.. the charging is capped but Extra power can be used by the load, so if you get 40 amp from panel 15 will be used for charging the remaining will supply load if load is available, else the remaining 25 will waste

Do you mean the extra power will not be used when eco mode is not enabled?

mktinsight:
Thanks for the info guys.

I have more questions. Lets say you have six rental units. These units have the exact same configuration - 2 fans, 1 tv, LED lights. Occupancy of these units ranges from 25% (quarter full) to 100% during the course of the year. Lets say you want to use an inverter to power these units as a standby with a minimum of 12 hours per day:

1) Would you install 6 Separate inverters and batteries in each unit or 1 big inverter with a battery bank?
2) What battery configuration would you need to supply at least 12 hours of standby power per day?
3) Please explain which setup is more efficient, cheaper, easier to maintain

Thanks