maxiuc:
I have never regreted buying my Tiger 950 I pass my neighbour generator what is solar when I can buy 1litre of Fuel to power my tuke tuke

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

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).

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?

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

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

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

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

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

jaz:
@ op.

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

xklucvG:

Is 1000 watts inverter same thing as 1kva inverter?

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).

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

geesampower:

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

geesampower:

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.

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

geesampower:

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

Tonniey:
Ok


Do u wanna trim ur tummy and loose weight, click on the link below

https://www.nairaland.com/2499520/good-news-now-get-rid

frehage:


Please are the effects of the type of charge controller used limited to solar power or it also affects wind power systems for homes?

And what's the cost of a 5000W pure sine wave inverter?

Thanks.

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

1. Quality matters. There are a lots of Chinese 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.

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.

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.

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. A 12V equivalent would be about 8 batteries. 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.

well said men.......besides all that......their also exist HYBRID INVERTERS,.....but only few makes have confirmed high efficiency for now.
with setting you get to choose to either go on-grid or off-grid and choose which setup takes the with high priority.......

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

1. Quality matters. There are a lots of Chinese 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.

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.

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.

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. A 12V equivalent would be about 8 batteries. 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.

amnps:



This is information coming just at the right time. I'm thinking of investing in an inverter with solar integration (1.5kva, two (2) 200AH backup batteries, charge controllers and four (4) solar panels), but have been faced with several offers like 375k, 525k and even up to 700k for this same configuration. As a lay man, I'm tempted to go with the lowest offe of 375k, but I'm kinda sceptical about jumping onto this.

With your experience, pls how much will a good MPPT controller go for?