₦airaland Forum

chris81964:
Once you looking to power AC be prepared to spend money. Your question does not provide enough detail. I would say budget between 8 and 10 million naira on the minimum.

Clients like this can be tricky. Glad you said minimum.
You have to over size their setup. Saying he wants that powered 24/7 uninterrupted, imagine days when you have bad weather for like 3 days and sunshine is down to 20-50%. If he would have a satisfactory system, best to have good autonomy especially in the battery bank so enough energy can be stored up in peak periods and be available in low periods.

chris81964:
I visited the site and they sell the same thing everyone else is selling in Nigeria. Sukam and Luminous.

Don't know why some people are just stubborn. That guy did not contribute just came to advertise. Didn't even bother to check his site.

TheBestGovernor:
Most Nigerian inverter application is usually >=800VA (600W , using P.F of 0.75). From extensive observations and current usage of an MPPT charge controller, MPPT is the way to go.

In as much as would not like a controversy on this, you could loose up to 35% of charging power when you use PWM charge controllers in whatever application.

Another important point I did not mention is that MPPT charge controllers give greater flexiblity when you need to expand you solar grid in the future.

Mppt are better than pwm, I said that in my original post. But PWM have their uses even if you want to use it to charge 4 200ah batteries. Sometimes the cost of getting 30% more panels is still less than buying an mppt controller just as chris81964 (a knowledgeable person in this subject) as agreed with me. If you know what you want then choosing PWM or MPPT won't be an issue.
It is just like the subject of monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels. Yes mono is better, but that does not make poly substandard. I use poly and mono, I use mppt and pwm. It is all about design and working with budget without compromising quality. Sure you understand me sir

chris81964:
Thank you for telling people what we have been saying for a long time.

1. Quality matters. There are a lots of Chinese and Indian brands out there. Some are good and most are crap. They won't back up their products with a meaningful guaranty. Spend the money and buy a good quality inverter. I will buy a Toyota before I buy a Geely. If I can afford a Mercedes I will buy the Mercedes. Your inverter selection should be no different

2. Batteries. This is as critical as the inverter. People in Nigeria have come to accept that batteries have to be replaced every year or two. That is wrong. Get a good quality battery. They should have at least 1200 or more cycle life ratings. If they don't move on. Pay extra at the beginning and and get 5 years or more, that is much better than saving N10 k per battery and replacing them every other year.

3. Charge controllers: You want to destroy a battery buy a cheap or bad one. PWM controllers work very well. They just can't harvest as much as an MPPT on a cloudy day. A lot of controllers advertised as MPPT are not. If your MPPT controller does not weigh at least 4 kg keep looking. I would rather buy a good quality PWM than a crappy MPPT. Morningstar makes a great PWM controller.

4. All in one units. They do exist and they do work. They tend to be high frequency inverters and there are many manufacturers that offer them. They have a PWM or MPPT controller, charger and inverter all in one unit. I have a few running in Lagos. I like to separate the solar charger from the rest of the system. I have also run the panels directly through them and there are videos of many people doing just that. The most common brand in Nigeria is the Axpert sold by everyone because they allow you to slap your name on the equipment

5. Number of panels and batteries. That should not be what sells you. The total watts and total AH should be what you are buying. You can buy 4 batteries that are 410 AH each or 6 that are 1000 AH each. A 12V equivalent would be 4, 8 batteries or more. Ditto for the panels. At the end of the day your loads will determine your needs.

Keep the discussion alive. Thank you for starting the thread.

Great input there.

peaceland:
Sir,
This is your faithful student; I was caught in traffic that is why I was late to class. Pardon me sir.
Please can you explain more on this cable sizing?
Does that refers to cables from the panels on the roof to the battery and inverters or from the inverter to the switch over or from the switch over to the various points of usage.
Why I am asking is I already have cables installed for from the point where inverter will be to the point of changeover and from change over to the various outlets, how will this cable sizing stuff affect me
Thank you

Hey! Hello sir.
How is the situation now?

Yes cable from the solar panels to the charge controller to the batteries and from batteries to inverter. The output cable that would be feeding the house is not a big deal, that is something your electrician will get right. So don't worry about that sir.

xklucvG:
Is 1000 watts inverter same thing as 1kva inverter?

No. 1KW is more than 1kva. 1kw is usually about 1.2kva-1.5kva depending on the inverters transformer's power factor.

jaz:
@ op.

so how much does it cost to set up a 10kva and 20 kva solar alternative, which runs for 24 hours ?

If you mean 24 hours on full load then you will have to budget between N10m to N16m.
If it won't be on full load all the time then it could be as low as half the cost.

Xmen149:
another resson that results to high cost in solar power design is,..when people hear FREE ENERGY they will want to power everything in the house including their cloth if possible (even the ones they dont need to be on or until phcn supply comes),..the more load you add,.the more your cost.......power what is mostly needed over a period of time

Very true. It is in fact the primary problem.

onelife97:
@op,pls I'd like to know how much can one spend on solar energy to power let's say up to 8 bedrooms,3 large living rooms,3 kitchens,all include up to 5 air conditioners,4 refrigerators,let's say 3 microwave ovens,and other small electrical appliances for a up to 24 hours uninterrupted power supply.

Thx in advance

Without mixing words, this is a big demand.
18KW inverter system hooked up to an array of at least 15KW, with a back up battery of about 192,000WH. Cost about N15.2M. If all won't be on at once for a reasonable part of the day, the cost could be much cheaper.

ITbomb:
With a guaranteed NEPA light of at least 8 hours every day, do I still need a solar panel?

Can the charge take me through the day with these specs = 2 200aH battery in a carefully managed electric system that will consume less than 1kva (2 laptops, fan, 2 energy saving bulb, home theater, flat screen TV and some small DC charging points

You don't need it, but that means you have to strictly manage your usage. So far the 8 hrs is consistent, your batteries would be charged.

Kingsley4all:
I like them solar products. I use them in my house ranging form rechargeable lantern to Laptop power bank. They are Good

Just impossible not to like them.

elmajor:
I appreciate the information ur have provided to someone like me without an electrical background. Geesam, I've got a question.
If I have a freezer, pressing iron, TV set, water-heater and about 20 energy-saving bulbs, all powered on, how many kva solar power is required?
Again, how many 'ah' and 'w' make 1kva?

You are welcome.
Without actual details of the power rating of your freezer, pressing iron , tv, water heater and 20 bulbs, I can only give an approximate rating.
With the above you will need about 5kw.

Kva is Kw X power factor (p.f)

Ah is used in rating batteries to convert Ah to KWh you multiply by the voltage rating of the battery. 1kw is 1000W

TheBestGovernor:
One thing that the OP mentioned that I like so much is the information on the solar charge controllers. Many people don't this fact, NEVER BUY a PWM charge controller, it will give you a lot of headache, instead, be ready to buy a PMMT charge controller no matter the amount.

PMMT charge controllers may cost 3 times the price of a PWM charge controller, but the benefits are enormous. PMMT charge controllers ensures that you have optimum power conversion from the solar panels. If you are not ready to buy a PMMT charge controller, don't install solar panels

The OP did not mention cable sizing, this also an important aspect you need to consider when installing solar panels especially when distance of termination (connection) points is far apart. Small cables will drop voltages which will eventually affect the overall power delivered to your load(s).

Now that is a very good point, cable size.
BUT I disagree with you on the pwm, pwm has it's uses too and can deliver is you are not using them in a large setup.

Konnektions146:
The major issue with solar power system as you said is the sellers, installers can just be too greedy.

I also blame customers for failing to be realistic, I have encountered customers that you tell the truth about how much backup power they get with their budget and split all in details and they won't call back, weeks later they come to tell you that they fell into the hands of swindlers or that solar power don't work.

E.g. someone wants a system that will power for 24hrs his 3bedroom flat with 2 ACs and all lighting points and electronics , his budget is 400k. How possible.

Some installers also collect money that would build a very robust and stable system and finally settle for a mediocre .

I always say this to customers, if you need a backup power, its affordable, but if you need a fully independent power solutions, then its a PROJECT.

let's be realistic and considerate

hehehehehehe

kayo80:
OP, pls how much would it cost me to get solar panels/solar power fixed for a 2 bedroom apartment... 1 fridge, 1 freezer, 3 air-conditioning units, and some lighter electrical appliances? And what is the cost of maintenance over the years? Thank you.

Air conditioning means 'money'. The reason is 1hp air conditioner consumes about 1200W so 3 will be 3600W plus 1200w for the fridge and freezer + 1000w for lights, tv and the rest. You will need 10kw system at least (better to over size so that over heating does not damage your inverter).
For a system u won't need to service in 5 to 8years.
This would require at least 16 205ah batteries, 24 250W panels, a 10kw inverter and 80A charge controller. Cost would be about N3m

Without the AC, 3kw system would have been perfect. Starting with N900,000 you can achieve this

femadelim:
@OP, Where can i get a good one with 5kv capacity am in owerri

There are many good store online and offline to get your solar products. As said, we won't be advertising on this thread (though some shameless people are doing that already). The important thing is to use the right products and correct specifications regardless of where u bought them and get installed by someone that knows what he's doing.

sandrel:
Nice one op,God bless your my dear!

Amen. Thnx

DankemzI:
How much solar power can power a 4 storey building with lifts,... Water included

The size of a building does not determine the power requirement, we need to know the actual power consumption/rating of the facilities in the building then a solar power solution can be designed to meet your requirement. When we have that then I give you a design, the components needed and the cost. Thank you

Emmanuel950:
U will hear nwiiii the day it will rain..

That is why we calculate autonomy. If solar does not work in rainy weather there won't be solar power "farms" powering wholes cities.

lovemko:
oga... u no hear wen d op say no advert?
pls move your post lets us see road!

eh, op pls were are u ohh... some persons have been droping quedtions dat require answers

Thanks
Let's start answering them.

Obeenah:
Good you identified some key issues. However you mentioned KVa and not KW. The difference being that generators use KVA while solar uses KW.

The difference being that KW is of a higher rating compared to KVA. Simple reason why a 2kw solar energy system would require a Generator of about 3.5 to 4kva to match up to.

Another thing you identified are the batteries. Standard issues for my company is 2 x 120v 200ah batteries per kilowatts so basically you multiply the batteries who's us 2 x the amount of kilowatts. So example a 1kw system would come with 2 x 120v x 200ah batteries which is 400ah.

The components come with the solar panels, charge controller, inverter, battery pack and rack. That's the real deal anything less us a sham.

Once again thank you for identifying that solar is a far better alternative compared to generators. Ask me any questions on solar. Call 08035125915 or email : victor.nwosu@solynta.com.ng

Thank you

True and not true. On the dc end it is strictly KW but we don't use DC conventionally so KVA is appropriate as inverters can be rated in kva by multiplying the power (kw) of the inverter by the power factor of the inverter.

Thank you

lalasticlala:

Thanks

madgoat:
Nice thread

Thnx sir

espn:
Nice one OP..very useful information. this might never get to the front-page.
OP: change your heading to tuface..maheeda or Davido smiling at an inverter. I bet u it will get to the FP in 5mins.

Inverters are nice.. I love it. Hope to get one though if GMB fails to fix our light (20 hrs a day)

Thanks sir. Hope the mods take it to front page. Pls guys NO adverts on this thread and don't ask me personal or business related questions. Let's just answer questions and let people learn from those of us that know.
lalasticlala can this be considered?

Yeah, it's Geesam again. Here to make sure you are informed.
In business, PARKAGING and SECRECY are very important in EXploiting consumers
.
You see a lot of solar power offers especially on online store especially the popular ones here in nigeria. Many are just carefully packaged offers that are nothing what they promise. You get them and develop the notion that solar power is not reliable.

Solar power is Expensive ( but still cheaper than generators anyway) so before you pay for any solar generator, solar power installation, or anything related, here are tips to ensure you get value for the good money you are paying.

1. Don't get carried away with fantastic offers. Ask questions.
Now there are ways of making solar power more affordable. Eg using PWM (pulse width modulation) charge controllers in place of MPPT (maximum power point tracking) charge controller. Pwm can cost about half the cost of a mppt controller. This is fantastic, but you have to know what you are buying.

2. Number of batteries or panels can be a trick. Yes. As a lay man or someone who has no foundation in ELectrical engineering, you can easily be cheated. Eg 3kva with 4 batteries can mean 3kva with 4 100ah batteries, or 3kva with 4 150ah batteries or 3kva with 4 200ah batteries. So if I tell you it will cost N300,000 to get 3kva with 4 batteries don't get excited, I cld mean 4 pieces of 100ah batteries so always ask questions and don't be carried away.

3. Brand matters. Yes you shld know that. Every solar generator, or setup is a makeup of different components, the batteries, the solar panels, the charge controller, the inverter and the protection units. So question is what is the quality of what is put together for you.

4. Capacity is different from Duration of use. [/b]YES! This is the latest trick out there especially on those online store (I won't mention names but you know them ) when you see adverts such as 20kva solar power for N800,000, I am usually shocked. These offers usually comes with about 4 or 6 pieces of 100w panels and 4 100ah batteries. This is highly inappropriate for 20kva, it could be ok for a 1.5kva but not 10kva. Such a system won't work for more than 30 minutes if you load by it's capacity.
So when ever you make such purchase always watch out for Number of panels and batteries and there individual capacity.

[b]5. Never accept a quote that does not break down the components of what you are paying for. IN solar power there are 4 main components.
The inverter, the solar panels, the backup batteries and the charge controller. There is no such thing as a single unit (all that is just packaging)

Get this right and you will regret wasting money all these years on petrol/diesel generators.


Solar power is reliable, lasts longer than any generator you could ever buy and is a class of it's own.

Solar power is much cheaper than fueling a generator for 10years.

You won't regret investing in one if you get your facts right.


I will answer ANY, I mean ANY question you may have on solar power.


Pls no adverts here and don't ask me for my phone number or mail. Ask your questions here and I will answer here


If you have any challenges or dissatisfaction with your solar power installation, pls bring it here and let me proffer solutions

Thank you.

plasgidy:
The 1,446,000 one can it serve a hotel with 50 rooms with air conditions?

Simple answer is No sir,

CONCISE EXPLANATION
As an engineer, let me break it down for you sir.

An hotel with 50 rooms will have the following at least.
1. 50 TVs each consumes 100watts on average= 5000watts

2. At least 3 light points each. 26wattsX3X50= 3900 watts

3. At least 1horse power AC. 1hp uses 1200watts (for the reaLly efficient ones) 1200wattsX50= 60,000watts

4. We have to look at the refridgerators, the out door lights, the reception's AC, TV, lights etc. This cld easily add another 5000watts


Such an hotel will need either a 80kva generator or 80kva solar power setup to work at full capacity

[b]NOTE: a lot goes into solar power than the capacity. Eg. I can tell you a solar power installation costs N600,000 for 3kva BUT many don't know that the number of batteries and solar panels is key to how many hours that 3kva will work for.

It is like buying a generator of 50kva but buying only 1 liter of diesel for it per day. Yes the generator is 50kva BUT with just a liter of fuel in it, it won't work for more than a minute.

Same with solar systems, u won't be buying fuel ever for it, the fuel is the batteries it contains and the panels, if they are not enough, even though the capacity of the solar power equipment is high, it won't serve satisfactorily.

So for such a setup as this, we look at how many batteries, how many panels etc, we bereak down the components so you know exactly what to expect.


Summary: I would advise you only use the solar power for backup purpose, cost of running such for 24hrs 70kva would be about 20-30million naira, yes it would serve for about 2 decades, and still costs less than fueling a 70kva generator for even 5years (600,000 per month for fueling such a generator that is what is costs, N36,000,000).

So what do I advice

Option 1. Power only the lights and tvs
Option 2. Power the lights in all the rooms and only the Airconditioning of some selected rooms

This way you save cost

Option 1. Would be in the range of 15kva
Using batteries with 10years life span
You need avg of 60 batteries
=N4,800,000
120 solar panels = N5,760,000
Inverter, controller, combiner boxes and switches, lighting, surge and over load protection would cost another 900,000 approximately

So you are looking at the least of 12million naira for a 50 room hotel that is without Airconditioning. With air-conditioning it would cost about 25million.
Thank you

Still available

Nairalanders taking up the challenge of giving their communities clean water, using solar energy. #trending practice

Royal30:
Thanks

You are welcome sir

Royal30:
How much can be added to this amount for day time use too and to power submersible pump. Can u give details pls

I had to put that clause of only night use not because it can't be used in the day time, but because it would affect the full charging of the batteries and this could lead to disappointment at night when the sun is down.
A system that can be fully used in the day time and at night would require the following.

For a "heavy" user (you use a lot of electricity during the day, have several tvs on, refridgerators etc)
*12 250W solar panels, costs N576,000
*8 200ah batteries N480,000
*4kw inverter N155,000
*80A Mppt charge controller N190,000
*rack, wiring, lightening, and surge protection etc. N45,000

Total: N1,446,000

Alternative
(If you won't have more than a tv on at a time during the day, intermittent water pumping, a freezer can be left on always )

*8 250w panels N384,000
*4 200ah deep cc batteries N240,000
*60A mttp controller N130,000
*4kw inverter N155,000
Accessories N45,000

Total: N954,000

Thank you

Royal30:
How much can be added to this amount for day time use too and to power submersible pump. Can u give details pls

I had to put that clause of only night use not because it can't be used in the day time, but because it would affect the full charging of the batteries and this could lead to disappointment at night when the sun is down.
A system that can be fully used in the day time and at night would require the following.

For a "heavy" user (you use a lot of electricity during the day, have several tvs on, refridgerators etc)
*12 250W solar panels, costs N576,000
*8 200ah batteries N480,000
*4kw inverter N155,000
*80A Mppt charge controller N190,000
*rack, wiring, lightening, and surge protection etc. N45,000

Total: N1,446,000

Alternative
(If you won't have more than a tv on at a time during the day, intermittent water pumping, a freezer can be left on always )

*8 250w panels N384,000
*4 200ah deep cc batteries N240,000
*60A mttp controller N130,000
*4kw inverter N155,000
Accessories N45,000

Total: N954,000

Thank you

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