₦airaland Forum

HeavenlyBang:
Max I've seen is 15.5v.

i have a backup of 4s that needs it. 16.8V.

Valentinooo:
If you are connecting your panels in series, then 6mm² is more than enough.

Those boys doubled the cable against my advice.

Trafford:
Good evening house. I am quite new to this solar journey and I want to get a solar panel, inverter and battery. It is for a four bedroom apartment. I have plan to upgrade as time goes by, probably adding more solar panel and also battery( though I don’t want tabular battery) . I am on band A, and I don’t mind using Nepa along with it in the initial stage until I fully upgrade. Please what will you recommend for a budget of 2m. Thanks all

we need not know how many rooms or building of the house as it's really not helpful. A faceMe-I-faceYou room could use more load than a 5-bedroom duplex.
What we need know is the kind of loads you intends powering.

So kindly give us idea of the sort of loads e.g 2HP AirConditioner, LCD or plasmma or LED TV, size of fridge / freezer, etc.

Also are you looking to use Solar panels or rely on PHCN for charging. Mind you, if on prepaid metering, using PHCN to recharge could skyrocket your light bill.

Knowing your location also would be helpful

Trafford:
Everything in the house, like TVs and blending machine, then also fan and lightings. No pumping machine and no AC for now until next year when I start upgrading

Next year is so so close. Why not wait till next year to reduce costs.

Also why not work with a local installer to get a quote, then bring it here so we vet it ?

That way, we don't continue creating huge chunks of text with little SEO value

BangaRice:
Are there any invertrs that can work with 16.8V or 4S lithium Ion battery system.
Preferably cheaper ones.

by 16.8v, you mean input voltage of 16.8v as against the usual 12v or 24v or 36v or 48v battery systems ?

Bankyshinani:
My inverter is a 24v inverter,max voc is 160v while the max pv array power is 1600w and my budget for panels is like 250k....I don't want to go above the voc and max pv array power,that's why I am being careful

I think the group has attended to your comment(s)

micxwell:
Hi bassdow. Happy sunday. Please I need your quick input on this before I spend another money. My team of installer are saying the DC solar PV cable I got is not good enough. I bought the 6mm² cable. Two other installers I got quotation from both wrote 6mm² cable for the solar pv cables so I don't know why these people are saying the cable is not enough. Panel is 590watts.

if you got a 6mm² cable and somoene says it ain't good enough, you ask them why they think so, then ask what they recommend. To me, going by what you posted, a 6mm² ought be fine enough BUT then again, we don't have physical access to be sure we not missing anything.

Who knows, mayBe the 6mm² cable you bought had issues BUT without asking that person why they disCredit tsaid cable, we really wouldn't know why. That a specs sheet says 6mm² cable, doesn't mean it couldn't be more especially since connections vary depending on intended outcome.

A simple "YES" or "NO" ain't often good enough

Trafford:
Thank you. I have upgraded budget to 2.5m so as to include solar panel. I am being offered 5kva hybrid inverter and 5kwh battery. Both felicity, with 6 500w solar panel. Is that a good deal?

rather than inconveniencing your pockets, why not go for a mix of NEW and USEd items. Year end is around the corner (house rents) WHILE Next year is around the corner (school fees for kid(s) if you got any).

Also if you spending 2.5million naira, hope you didn't have to profusely sweat it out ELSE...

Trafford:
Thank you. I have upgraded budget to 2.5m so as to include solar panel. I am being offered 5kva hybrid inverter and 5kwh battery. Both felicity, with 6 500w solar panel. Is that a good deal?

how about getting an idea of battery costs from those in here among us who are in that line of business.

Also, that brand feliCity is an average brand. They all mustn't come from same brand.

You could just get the prices first, then compare them against what you getting elsewhere.

Also let them break down the prices for you so we know which actually is CHEAPer or not. Just saying 2.5m covers this and this and that ain't helpful.

bassdow:
how about getting an idea of battery costs from those in here among us who are in that line of business.

Also, that brand feliCity is an average brand. They all mustn't come from same brand.

You could just get the prices first, then compare them against what you getting elsewhere.

Also let them break down the prices for you so we know which actually is CHEAPer or not. Just saying 2.5m covers this and this and that ain't helpful.

(1) 5kwh lithium battery 1m

5pieces of 600w Jinko panel 100k ×10=500k

5kva 24v non hybrid inverter =480k

100ah MPPT Change controller=210k

6mm cable wire 3800 × 25m = 95k

AC breaker= 10k

DC breaker=12k

Breaker box = 8k

Panel rack =24k

Above is the quote I got. He is using felicity. I don’t intend to use light to charge it as I want to slowly leave grid as cost of band A is becoming unbearable. There is 5 TVs in the house one 42 LCD, and the rest are 42 led, and 65 led in the sitting room. I have inverter ACs and freezer but I don’t intend to use it with the package yet unless maybe during the day or when I have upgraded. I still want to be using a bit of grid to mix up in the interim until full up is done with time. Yes next year is close but not early next year as it will later end. Just as you stated, fees and the likes definitely waiting as well. So i just want to get this to help reduce cost of grid, while I plan to phase it off completely.

Thanks for your input.

Trafford:
(1) 5kwh lithium battery 1m

5pieces of 600w Jinko panel 100k ×10=500k

5kva 24v non hybrid inverter =480k

100ah MPPT Change controller=210k

6mm cable wire 3800 × 25m = 95k

AC breaker= 10k

DC breaker=12k

Breaker box = 8k

Panel rack =24k

Above is the quote I got. He is using felicity. I don’t intend to use light to charge it as I want to slowly leave grid as cost of band A is becoming unbearable. There is 5 TVs in the house one 42 LCD, and the rest are 42 led, and 65 led in the sitting room. I have inverter ACs and freezer but I don’t intend to use it with the package yet unless maybe during the day or when I have upgraded. I still want to be using a bit of grid to mix up in the interim until full up is done with time. Yes next year is close but not early next year as it will later end. Just as you stated, fees and the likes definitely waiting as well. So i just want to get this to help reduce cost of grid, while I plan to phase it off completely.

Thanks for your input.

This person no like you at all

micxwell:
Hi bassdow. Happy sunday. Please I need your quick input on this before I spend another money. My team of installer are saying the DC solar PV cable I got is not good enough. I bought the 6mm² cable. Two other installers I got quotation from both wrote 6mm² cable for the solar pv cables so I don't know why these people are saying the cable is not enough. Panel is 590watts.

Best read the Growatt SPF 5000ES manual. It tells you the recommended wire sizes:

AC Wires: 6mm
PV DC Wires: 4mm

If your installers cannot read manual better to look for an installer that can otherwise they will also improperly size breakers and surge protectors etc. not to mention making mistakes with loose connections and such. There are a lot of very poorly trained people claiming solar installer out there. Sometimes what you should do is get a separate installer to mount the PV panels in series and bring down the wires. Then get an electrician to do the pv/ac connections to the inverter, battery and DB.

Bad installer will cost you. I made the mistake of hiring a novice installer who claimed he had 4 years experience only to hire another installer and pay extra to correct his mistakes. Another installer who claimed to be an EE graduate went and did revers polarity because despite having two bundles of red and black wire decided to be using red colored wire as both live and neutral and mislabeled one.

Trafford:
(1) 5kwh lithium battery 1m

5pieces of 600w Jinko panel 100k ×10=500k

5kva 24v non hybrid inverter =480k

100ah MPPT Change controller=210k

6mm cable wire 3800 × 25m = 95k

AC breaker= 10k

DC breaker=12k

Breaker box = 8k

Panel rack =24k

Above is the quote I got. He is using felicity. I don’t intend to use light to charge it as I want to slowly leave grid as cost of band A is becoming unbearable. There is 5 TVs in the house one 42 LCD, and the rest are 42 led, and 65 led in the sitting room. I have inverter ACs and freezer but I don’t intend to use it with the package yet unless maybe during the day or when I have upgraded. I still want to be using a bit of grid to mix up in the interim until full up is done with time. Yes next year is close but not early next year as it will later end. Just as you stated, fees and the likes definitely waiting as well. So i just want to get this to help reduce cost of grid, while I plan to phase it off completely.

Thanks for your input.

The price of the inverter and external CC will get you a 48v Growatt 6kw inverter that will carry those panels without stress

Trafford:
(1) 5kwh lithium battery 1m

5pieces of 600w Jinko panel 100k ×10=500k

5kva 24v non hybrid inverter =480k

100ah MPPT Change controller=210k

6mm cable wire 3800 × 25m = 95k

AC breaker= 10k

DC breaker=12k

Breaker box = 8k

Panel rack =24k

Above is the quote I got. He is using felicity. I don’t intend to use light to charge it as I want to slowly leave grid as cost of band A is becoming unbearable. There is 5 TVs in the house one 42 LCD, and the rest are 42 led, and 65 led in the sitting room. I have inverter ACs and freezer but I don’t intend to use it with the package yet unless maybe during the day or when I have upgraded. I still want to be using a bit of grid to mix up in the interim until full up is done with time. Yes next year is close but not early next year as it will later end. Just as you stated, fees and the likes definitely waiting as well. So i just want to get this to help reduce cost of grid, while I plan to phase it off completely.

Thanks for your input.

1. Buy a 7.2kwh 24v battery from Deriy for 1.2m instead.
2. Buy a ~3-4kw hybrid inverter from SRNE, Bread, Firman. Not more than 500k. Could be under 400k depending on your choice.
3. Fouani has 530w Jinko panels in stock for 89,600. Buy six. 540k
4. You don't necessarily need 6mm cables for a purely series connection, since current wouldn't get past 13A. 4mm is perfectly fine. Only time I'd go 6mm is if the distance between your panels and inverter is really large, to minimize voltage drop.
5. Buy breakers and other accessories + labor and you're good.

This would be a pretty future-proof setup for under 2.5m. If you want more power generation, you can always add three more ~550w panels later on.

HeavenlyBang:
1. Buy a 7.2kwh 24v battery from Deriy for 1.2m instead.
2. Buy a ~3-4kw hybrid inverter from SRNE, Bread, Firman. Not more than 500k. Could be under 400k depending on your choice.
3. Fouani has 530w Jinko panels in stock for 89,600. Buy six. 540k
4. You don't necessarily need 6mm cables for a purely series connection, since current wouldn't get past 13A. 4mm is perfectly fine. Only time I'd go 6mm is if the distance between your panels and inverter is really large, to minimize voltage drop.
5. Buy breakers and other accessories + labor and you're good.

This would be a pretty future-proof setup for under 2.5m. If you want more power generation, you can always add three more ~550w panels later on.

24v? Did you even read about all the loads he intends using?

Edrizz:
What's the experience so far on this boss

So, turns out my battery also had an issue with the terminal. The cable going out from the BMS to the negative terminal had shorted and was burnt, causing massive voltage fluctuations which was likely stopping charging.

Battery was built by isangjohnson, so he asked me to ship it out of state to him for fixes. Sent it to him on Thursday morning, got my battery back on Friday evening all fixed. Top guy. I also flashed the V6.66 firmware and hard resettled the inverter after that. It's been smooth sailing since then.

fuckboys:
24v? Did you even read about all the loads he intends using?

Yes?

What's special about the load? Four 43" TVs and a 65" aren't pulling more than 500w combined.

I have three TVs in my house, water heaters, freezer, fridge, two ACs, microwave, air fryer, oven and have never had any issues with an even inferior setup.

Anyone using solar will ultimately have to learn load shedding regardless. The setup I gave is possibly the best he can get with that budget, though maybe he'd be best served with eight 530w panels off the bat.

HeavenlyBang:
Yes?

What's special about the load? Four 43" TVs and a 65" aren't pulling more than 500w combined.

I have three TVs in my house, water heaters, freezer, fridge, two ACs, microwave, air fryer, oven and have never had any issues with an even inferior setup.

Anyone using solar will ultimately have to learn load shedding regardless. The setup I gave is possibly the best he can get with that budget, though maybe he'd be best served with eight 530w panels off the bat.

You are absolutely right. I also have about:
3 AC's including 1 1.5hp
0.75hp pump
3 55 inches TV
2 freezers
A microwave oven
Air Fryer
Washing machine
Water heater
Electric Jug e.t.c


I use 24v comfortably with a 4.2kva inverter and 8.2kwh lithium battery. I've never had any issues.

And yes with load management because all appliances are not on at same time.

What's your charge and discharge amps like?

HeavenlyBang:
So, turns out my battery also had an issue with the terminal. The cable going out from the BMS to the negative terminal had shorted and was burnt, causing massive voltage fluctuations which was likely stopping charging.

Battery was built by isangjohnson, so he asked me to ship it out of state to him for fixes. Sent it to him on Thursday morning, got my battery back on Friday evening all fixed. Top guy. I also flashed the V6.66 firmware and hard resettled the inverter after that. It's been smooth sailing since then.

@Trafford yes with 2m you can do just fine. I live in a 3 bedroom flat and here's my set up;

24v 4.2kva Haisic hybrid Inverter 340k, even lesser on Jumia.
24v 8.2kwh lithium battery from Mr. Reed 920k
6 530w Jinko Panels @ roughly 600k ish

My loads are the typical stuff you can find in a home and I use all of them, not at the same time though. They include;

3tvs all 55 inches
Water heater
Washing machine
Microwave oven
0.75hp submersible
3 ACS including 1 1.5hp
2 freezers e.t.c

My 24v system serves me perfectly and with 2m you can achieve almost everything, but if you plan on bigger upgrades tomorrow, it's best to go all out for a 48v system.

This is good 💯

Unfaized:
You are absolutely right. I also have about:
3 AC's including 1 1.5hp
0.75hp pump
3 55 inches TV
2 freezers
A microwave oven
Air Fryer
Washing machine
Water heater
Electric Jug e.t.c


I use 24v comfortably with a 4.2kva inverter and 8.2kwh lithium battery. I've never had any issues.

And yes with load management because all appliances are not on at same time.

Gshems:
This person no like you at all

The prices are too high ?

genius43:
The price of the inverter and external CC will get you a 48v Growatt 6kw inverter that will carry those panels without stress

Okay thank you

Unfaized:
@Trafford yes with 2m you can do just fine. I live in a 3 bedroom flat and here's my set up;

24v 4.2kva Haisic hybrid Inverter 340k, even lesser on Jumia.
24v 8.2kwh lithium battery from Mr. Reed 920k
6 530w Jinko Panels @ roughly 600k ish

My loads are the typical stuff you can find in a home and I use all of them, not at the same time though. They include;

3tvs all 55 inches
Water heater
Washing machine
Microwave oven
0.75hp submersible
3 ACS including 1 1.5hp
2 freezers e.t.c

My 24v system serves me perfectly and with 2m you can achieve almost everything, but if you plan on bigger upgrades tomorrow, it's best to go all out for a 48v system.

Thank you. I will work with this and do the 48v as advised. I'm new to this solar work and want to get it right from onset

HeavenlyBang:
1. Buy a 7.2kwh 24v battery from Deriy for 1.2m instead.
2. Buy a ~3-4kw hybrid inverter from SRNE, Bread, Firman. Not more than 500k. Could be under 400k depending on your choice.
3. Fouani has 530w Jinko panels in stock for 89,600. Buy six. 540k
4. You don't necessarily need 6mm cables for a purely series connection, since current wouldn't get past 13A. 4mm is perfectly fine. Only time I'd go 6mm is if the distance between your panels and inverter is really large, to minimize voltage drop.
5. Buy breakers and other accessories + labor and you're good.

This would be a pretty future-proof setup for under 2.5m. If you want more power generation, you can always add three more ~550w panels later on.

Still suggests he goes 6mm at least. especially since he's got plans for upGrades soon. Cost difference between 4mm and 6mm cables no far.

As for suggesting Hybrid inverter, I leave it to @Trafford to decide based on all the plenty talks we don yarn for here.

He didn't state his location as I requested earlier, costs tend to differ based on location.

Also cost of workManship ought be stated. And with that, we need know if his house is a bungalow, or storeyed building and if a storeyed building, on what floor he lives on, and how many storeys. Thisnggs such as this dey follow determine cable length and thickness + workManShip

oloet:
What's your charge and discharge amps like?

I've discharged at up to 80A without issues on a 160AH battery. I've charged at up to 60A from a 2200w array.

bassdow:
Still suggests he goes 6mm at least. especially since he's got plans for upGrades soon. Cost difference between 4mm and 6mm cables no far.

As for suggesting Hybrid inverter, I leave it to @Trafford to decide based on all the plenty talks we don yarn for here.

He didn't state his location as I requested earlier, costs tend to differ based on location.

Also cost of workManship ought be stated. And with that, we need know if his house is a bungalow, or storeyed building and if a storeyed building, on what floor he lives on, and how many storeys. Thisnggs such as this dey follow determine cable length and thickness + workManShip

Location is in Uyo and it’s a one storey building. I live upstairs. I’m looking at hybrid so as to take away cost of charge controller

15kwh 51.2v felicity lithium ion battery available.

Trafford:
Location is in Uyo and it’s a one storey building. I live upstairs. I’m looking at hybrid so as to take away cost of charge controller

Now you mentioned Uyo, hopefully those within that axis would tell if the quote you got is on the high side. Make we wey dey within Lagos and ogun state no use our area price spoil market for others.

since you stay at the upper floor, length should be same with someone staying in a bungalow.

As for hybrid, hopefully, you don't end up needing a separate charge controller.

Best of lucks.

HeavenlyBang:
I've discharged at up to 80A without issues on a 160AH battery. I've charged at up to 60A from a 2200w array.

Na una dey enjoy!

Trafford:
Location is in Uyo and it’s a one storey building. I live upstairs. I’m looking at hybrid so as to take away cost of charge controller

whatsapp me for a good better cost friendly quote

Valto:
whatsapp me for a good better cost friendly quote

also can recommend a more experienced installer for u that is based in Uyo