₦airaland Forum

Arnergy, a renewable Energy company is weighing out the options of providing 24/7 Power Supply to Nigerian homes. Look Arnergy up on facebook /arnergy and on Arnergy website, arnergy sit com

That's the immediate answer to 24/7 Power Supply in Nigeria

fikfik: My current installation:

5KVA CyberPower PRO
HIGH POWER 200 amp/10hr batts x 16
Joy Solar 260W Polycrystalline x 8
eTRACER 60 Amp MPPT Solar Charge controller

[img][/img][img][/img]

fikfik
11.6Kwh generated from 2080W array is quite impressive. If I may ask what city are you located? Has the array harnessed 10kwh plus other days than the day 11.6Kwh was generated. Congratulations on your set up.

Am trying to get the url of zenith battery manufacturer, google led me to zenithdcbattery dot com but I guess its not the same zenith battery sold in lagos as those on the url seems to be red colored while the ones I have seen on local online store and George_D's post are grey/black.

Need to download the batteries spec sheet, then compare reliability,warranty,pricing with other manufacturers like trojan/surette etc.

[quote author=George_D]ok, i tried again on my 4m motorised and was able to get 12265h 27500 (HD1- HD5)

signal quality was up to 51 percent but not stable. however all the HD packages came
out after scan.[/quote]@ George_D , Many thanks, sorry for the late response, I've been away. Really need to rescan,Wish I have the space to accomodate a bigger dish like your bird, since you hit 51% on 12265, I doubt if my 3m will be able to nail it.

[quote author=George_D]feasy1,

under normal conditions you are very correct. 7,200w appears to be a lot but the emphasis here is on nameplate. i have since learnt that in solar, things are not always what they appear to be.

like i explained to a good member of this forum some time ago, i started my array build up with supposedly 'sharp' solar panels which i later found out to be not as original as i thought they were. also, most of the panels i bought with stamped 200w were not actually outputting their stated power, not so much because of the sub-optimal roof installation angles (although i think that also contributes a lot) but mainly because they were not original. so, i suspect a lot of those earlier sharp panels i installed were most likely 120w or at most 150w panels disguised as 200w.

what i have been doing of late is to make up for this shortfall - very much like 'damage control'. actually, i was faced with a choice of either starting completely from scratch by using original sharp panels or just adding to my existing array to boost up their output. obviously, i chose the second option.

so, in effect my supposedly 7,200w may just be a little bit around 5,000w in reality after discounting the sub-standard early sharp panels and the non-optimal roof installation angles.[/quote]George_D, you've obviously gone for the right choice, those panels will still be harnessing albeit not up to the nameplate spec, that was the price you paid for breaking the myth, others are hitting the ground running thanks to your experience and support on the forum.

fikfik: Yes, thanks Uncle G. but I also remeber a pix from akiannade (or someone's) installation where he used breakers on both the +ve and -ve lines from battery bank to charge controller. youe cut outs are only on the +ve lines and you tied -ve directly. Whats best practice on this (without being wasteful)?

@all
Concerning the combiner (for hybrid charging systems), what are the things to note here. I see Uncel g's and compare it with the recent one from feasy1's but it seems he just connected everything to inverter wihtout really using a combiner (pls correct me if wrong) which seems neater but is it the right thing to do. Please advise me on rules for cable length in this whole multi-charging system too.

Thanks!

Hi fikfik,
As it has been stated earlier its always good to have breakers installed for obvious reasons.

Please do note that the my system has the breaker installed too. The AC disconnect and Battery disconnect has been integrated to the system and has switches on the left side of the unit.

Cheers

[quote author=George_D]bodejohn,

my brother i have lost count. maybe i need to climb up and count to be sure

but i think i'm getting close to 7,200w[quote author=George_D]hello dunka,

the prag servo does not carry the whole house load. if it did i would not have been able to switch it off like the
way i'm doing right now.

as you rightly guessed, the water heaters and cookers are all connected to public power. that being said, every
other house load is being powered from the inverter, namely the deep freezer, fridge, water pump, tvs, fans, home
theater, lighting, etc.[/quote]name plate power.[/quote]7200W , wow that is massive, hope to move up to that level one day. I bet you could add Air Conditioner to the load if need be, the energy harnessed from the sun should take care of that most especially during the day, that could come handy in the dry season
For instance, I have tested 1 1HP AC with my 3KW set up during the day and the system just harnessed the needed energy from the PV stepping up the instantenous KWs.

@ everyone, can anyone please confirm if this TPs are active on Nilest and advice the LNB used
12264 H 27500 (HD1- HD5)
11958 H 27500 (JSC +6 - JSC +10)

I use a 3m fiber dish in dish, location is Lagos.

Akanniade: @feasy1
The 68.7 is max battery reading during one of the charging modes(may just be a brief spike).
I didn't adjust much on the flexmax 80. Adjusting may not necessarily give better harvest. I just used default setting for 48v.

NB: check the stat or log on your fm80

Many thanks, that clarifies it. I used the FM80 setting as is too

TotalGreen: this controller can handle 5 x 12volts battery, in the past when we needed to charge a 120volt battery for inverter like sukam and others, using 24volts charge controller was a lot, we needed to use like 5 x 24volts controller to do that, then the 24 volts controllers are like 30amps each, if we needed 60amps we needed to do like 10 x 24volt charge controller.

the outback 60 volt controller was a life saver with a high Amp charger. so for 120volt system, 2 x 60volt outback was the solution.

Akanniade: Yes it's 48v. The second installation actually out-performs the first. The main reason is the almost perfect alignment of the arrays in the east- west axis, tilt towards south. That alignment was not possible in the first installation due to aesthetics reasons.

@All
Timer switch helps manage your power. Recently my wife insisted on adding a freezer to her kitchen collection. With a timer switch on existing fridge, and another on the freezer, I was able to accommodate the new load.

Many thanks for the responses,I'm aware Outback FM80 can handle 60V was just wondering since a 48V (4 battery system) would have a 57.6 Max battery, anyway,that depends on the battery manufacturer specification. The Sec Gel battery I use has max charging voltage of 14.4 meaning 57.6 for the 4 battery string.

@ Akanniade, Since the Max Battery reach 68.7V on a 4battery 12V string (48V system) . Can you advice what setting you have on the charge controller. Many thanks

Akanniade: Dude ur installation is beautiful.

Akanniade: Have been doing hybrid since. Whenever nepa is available I use it. Weather has been cloudy recently. I thought of increasing my array size, but I may move home soon.
My other installation is doing well though. It's not possible for me to monitor in details, cos I don't live there. I just took a shot of peak power.

Many thanks bro, only following your footstep. I taught you were completely off grid, but reading your post now guess I can take it slowly and use the grid whenever it is available. I'd probably use less than 50kWh per month which should qualify for the lifeline R1 residential at NGN4 /kWh and zero fixed charge right? anyone in this category for PHCN billing??. Not sure if that work with the prepaid meter billing though.

Got the Prag Stabilizer now, so good to go for Grid input.

BTW, Can see Max Batt Voltage at 68.7V is this for a 48V system?

[quote author=George_D]feasy1,

wao! i'm reading this for the first time and i must say i'm highly impressed! the thin film is a particularly brilliant
idea especially in this part of the globe where cloud cover seems a year round concern.

in all, abunafiu and totalgreen spoke my concerns but as i can see, you have cleared them all.

congrats and welcome on board.[/quote]George_D, you inspired some of us in the background to go out there and make this happen with your posts. Keep it up bro.

Very well done on your new upgrade, I bet you will achieve the 1MW PPP/IPP set for you in no time.

There was ample sunlight yesterday but as at 2pm I wasn't impressed with the 6kWh harnessed, I decided to load a 1Hp AC and the system harnessed the highest kWh yesterday, it crossed 10kWh. I guess that's not bad for a 3KW PV in August.

Just read some old post of akinrinade of the used telecom batteries, seems they are top performers, wont mind an update on this, in the meantime ringing up my Telecom contacts.

abunafiu: am jealous o. I suggest u consider using the same type of battery in ur batt bank. Due to importation prob u stated earlier, you can sell those batt 2 who ever needs them. Then use the money to buy new ones. For a unique system like urs, 800ah @ 48v should only be ur STARTING POINT and nothing less. Your neighbours go dey envy u.

earthrealm: very neat installation...neatest I hv seen on nairaland!!...kudos..

since his charge controller is 80amp..thus max current thru it = 80amps..., using an avg 5hrs daily sunlight...total amperage gained from the sun = 400amps...since his battery bank is 840amps............I wud say this ois ok............provided he doesn't exceed a 400ah to 600ah daily usage

You are right, the systems should be able to harness 400ah during the dry season. Max is about 190ah daily now. I agree 800ah battery bank is ideal taking 50% DoD into consideration, thats some damage to the pocket, space constraint too,but it will happen, need to part ways with PHCN 100%
Spoke with Zenith batteries supplier,12v 200ah is out of stock, 12v 260ah is 65k. Need local contact for the quality 2v and 6v batteries.

Is FA Cup different from H2H?

abunafiu: i was like wow when i finally saw the pictures. Very clean and professional. My observation still remains ur battery bank size. You should consider improving on them. Where did you buy all those gadgets, i have only seen such at UN sponsored solar projects. Kindly post the link.

Abunafiu, Many thanks for the comment,
You are right with the battery bank size, I got the battery from senior friend at an higher price because he import them into Nigeria in bits hence the higher cost, I'm considering another array of 4 12V 200AH Zenith since I can save about 30k on each. That will give me about 48V 400AH.

The Outback Inverter and Charge controller was brought in from the US and battery from HongKong. Installation PVC pipes etc, I understand are from Alaba.
The steel work was done by a local welder, materials procured at Owode Onirin.
Thin film panels are from Du Pont, Du Pont has an office in Ikeja but I doubt if they retail, the sênior friend I mentioned has a collaboration with them.

We will be able to provide this gadgets locally at competitive cost in a few months as we are joining you guys in the solar energy drive.

You mentioned how we have been able to Power the house without the grid for 3weeks, its a combination of not having the full load yet and being energy saving conscious, the main load we have almost round the clock is 240W deep freezer, TV is only switched on few hours in the night, all bulbs except security Light are off when not in use, but having said that, another battery bankb of 200AH will follow to have some days of autonomy

TotalGreen: very clean setup, congrats

but why "thin film"

TotalGreen, thanks, Yes, the set up is clean, I really do not like cables flying around cos of safety and ethics and was also blessed to have the correct contact/professionals to get the installations done right since I haven't been around for a while.

Why thin film? There is an unproven school of thought that says thin film has better temperature coefficient with Nigerian weather but with the production I have seen you guys harnessed from the sun with mono, I have no doubt they are at par. Would have loved to have thin film and mono side by side and compare the production apple for apple.

Another 3KW installation in town

PV= 3KW = 30* 100W Du Pont thin film
Inverter= 3KW, Charge controller FlexMax 80 (Outback Power)
Battery= 4* 12.5V 210 AH Sec batteries.
Voltage from the grid has been low to charge the inverter, getting pragrl stab soon.
But thanks to the sun, the system has been operating for three weeks without input from the grid not minding the cloudy days.

Pictures below

I suggest we stick to the general Nairaland Premier league, to allow everyone to participate and let guys donate 50-100 GBP into the pool.
The prize money can be shared according to the ratio Ibime suggested.

chamotex: I've sent you the code already.

Got the FA CUP code , top 3 or top 5 isnt enough any longer, either bring home the silverware or get the coach sacked.

Chamo, Please pass me the FA cup code. Expecting H2H code too when its available.

chamotex: But I can see your team on the league table.

I didnt receive the code but see my team on the league guess it was auto renewed as other leagues I joined last year were renewed too.However I'm still expecting the code for H2H. Many thanks

I haven't received the code yet, guess Chamo is on pre- season your and got no immediate access to the internet.

I Haven't received the code Forget, guess Chamo is on pre season your and got no immediate access to the internet.

Please provide me the codes. Feasy11

obnelly: If you have little knowledge about tracking with small dish up to 1.8m motorising big dish shouldnt be headache.first make sure your pole is plume @ 90 degrees .GO to satellite that is close to your latitude here in nigeria the satellites that are close to us are rascom,sirus and eutelsat w3a.among the three satellites sirus 4.8e is easy to track.

start by declining your angle adjuster at the neck of your pole mount,while doing that move your dish up and down till you have signal pop up on your screen.Make sure you have full signal.
go to the next satellite that is next i.e eutelsat w3a.get good signal there too and move to hotbird ,from this bird move to eutelsat 16e to badr and astra 28 .it means you are almost done with eastern satellite move up to your west and track western satellite from sirus4.8e move to rascom to atlantic bird 3 to nilsat to ab7 then to nss7 you may move further to hispasat and intelsat 31.5 depending on what you are looking for.While doing all these you must know how to skew your lnb to gain maximum signal strength .also you must understand how the neck of your dish behave to signal while tighten it.Do everything gradually ,dont rush at the end you will enjoy it all.

Good luck

Obnelly, many thanks for the response again. This will happen soon.

Cheers

After going through motorizing big dish thread https://www.nairaland.com/442760/motorising-big-dishes-1.8meters-above/3, I need no angel to tell me motorizing my 3m fiber dish is the way to go. It make sense to be able to view Abu Dhabi Sports, Al Jazeera, MBCs and all other channels available.

You guys rock

Obnelly, Many thanks for the detailed response. Will give Badr 26E à shot, however I need aljazeera + package and News channel is a must,looks like motorising it might be the way to go. Or using a smaller dish for CNN since someone mentioned CNN is free on DSTV TPs, will need to reconfirm that though.

Hello Sat gurus,
My 3m fiber dish (would have gone for 4m but for space constraint) was installed yesterday on Nilesat. The installer mentioned he'll get Abu Dhabi sport but unfortunately ADSport TPs cant be tracked
As it is now, I can only get MBCs(no HD)and Aljazeera sports.This is no value for money considering I have Abu Dhabi HD décoder and 6 month subscription left on Aljazeera and Abu Dhabi card.

My questions are
1. Is there à good chance I can nail Badr 26E with 3m dish in Lagos?
2. Are Abu Dhabi sport TPs activé on Badr 26E
3. I have read on the thread That MBC HDs TPs are active on Badr. Please confirm.
4. Will Yahsat do any better for the MBC HDs?

Below are the channels i hope to be able to view
1. AD Sport HD 3-8, Sky News
2. Al Jazeera Sport +1 to +10, HD1,HD2
3.MBC 2,4,Max,Action (All HD)
4. CNN
5. BBC.
Looking forward to your valuable responses for the near set up taking info considération the résources at hand.


Many thanks