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Photovoltaic (PV) Panels:
- These are the black rectangular panels, usually in an array on the roof or on a stand, with maximum exposure to sunlight.
- PV panels receive radiation energy and converts it to direct current (DC) electricity.The output electricity is influenced by temperature, the amount of sunlight, reflection from the panels, dirt on the panels, etc.
- The electricity from the panels is in a rough form, and will very quickly ruin a battery if connected directly.
- They usually have a long life expectancy, commonly with more than 80% output after 20years.
- Available in monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Polycrystalline is usually slightly cheaper, with a slightly shorter life expectancy.
- Prices are usually compared in Rand per Watt.
- The amount and configuration of the panels depend on the amount of Watts and Volts necessary, and if the energy has to be stored for later use or immediate consumption.
Charge Controller:
- Between the PV panels ("rough" DC current) and the battery ("smoothed" DC current) there has to be a charge controller to:
- protect the battery from being damaged, and to
- ensure optimal current to charge the battery.
- A wide variety of types are available, from very cheap to quite expensive. Prices also vary widely from 10Amp to 60Amp.
- In most cases the more expensive Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) type is more desirable. It delivers an optimum DC current from the PV panels to the battery, even if conditions vary widely.
Batteries:
- A variety of battery types is also available. Make sure that deep cycle batteries, specifically designed for solar use, is used. They last much longer.
- To compare batteries, Rand per Amp hour can be used as a rough indication of price.
- Quality and expected lifetime are more difficult to determine.
- Factors that shorten battery life are:
- More charge/discharge cycles,
- Deeper discharge cycles, and
- higher environmental temperature.
Thus, bigger total capacity (in Amp hour) should lead to longer battery life.
The inverters we use can be set to:
- limit battery discharge, thus extend battery life, and
- switch to use the grid as a backup (thus using the grid as a battery,it is usually cheaper than batteries).
Because batteries have to be used, there will be backup electricity for periods when grid electricity is not available. The amount of available stored electricity depends mostly on the amount of Amp hour of the batteries, and charge status.
Inverter:
- This is the system that changes the DC current from the batteries to 220V 50Hz alternating current (AC), like needed for appliances.
- Two main types are available:
- The cheaper modified sine wave inverters either do not work on certain appliances at all, or often makes motors heat and eventually burn.
- The more expensive pure sine wave inverters supply AC identical to the grid AC. This is safer for your appliances.
- We only sell pure sine wave inverters.
Electrical cable:
- Where DC with lower voltages are used, make sure that the wires are thick enough to carry the higher current (Amperes) associated with the lower DC voltage. Thin cables will heat and cause a fire hazard, among other problems.
Click on the link bellow to download installation instructions for both single and parallel units:
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Features |
2kVA/1.6Kw |
5kVA/4kW |
| Warranty |
Inverter |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| PV Panels 10 years: 90% |
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| PV Panels 25 years: 85% |
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| Batteries: according to supplier |
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| Built In |
MPPT charge controller (from PV) |
25A |
60A |
| Inverter charger (grid to battery, solar to battery) |
Yes |
Yes |
| Bypass for grid to usage |
Yes |
Yes |
| Max Watt Output |
Continuous |
1600 W |
4000W |
| Max Watt Output Surge |
5 Seconds |
3200 W |
8000W |
| Charging Source Settings |
Solar only, (maximum) |
25A |
60A |
| Solar first, grid and solar, solar only, grid only |
Can be set |
Can be set |
| Grid only |
20A or 30A |
2A to 60A |
| Output (discharge) Source |
Solar only |
Can be set |
Can be set |
| Utility only (bypass) |
Can be set |
Can be set |
| Prioritized solar/battery/utility |
Can be set |
Can be set |
| Monitoring & Setting |
Computer Connection: Serial port |
Yes |
Yes |
| LCD Screen |
Yes |
Yes |
| Expansion : Single Inverter |
PV Panels minimum |
1 x 250Watt =500W |
2 x 250Watt = 500W |
| PV Panels maximum |
2 x 250W = 1500W |
12 x 250Watt = 3000W |
| Batteries minimum |
2 x 100Ah 12V |
4 x 150Ah 12V |
| Batteries maximum |
6 x 100Ah 12V |
12 x 200Ah 12V |
| Peak Efficiency |
90% |
90% |
| No Load Power Consumption |
<20watt |
<50watt |
| Expansion: More Inverters |
Installed in parallel |
N/A |
Up to 6 units = 30kVA |
| Parallel kit available to change from single to parallel |
N/A |
Yes |
| Three Phase |
Three units in parallel, and set to three phases. |
N/A |
Up to 6 units = 30kVa
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Inverter (including MPPT charge controller, pure sine wave inverter, charger to charge batteries from grid, bypass facility to use grid or generator as backup & computer software)
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VAT Excl
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VAT Incl
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1.6kW 2kVA, 24V, to be used with maximum 2 x 250W panels with 25A MPPT charge controller (8 In in Stock)
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R6574.56
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R7495.00
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4kW 5kVA, 48V, to be used with maximum 12 x 250W panels with 60A MPPT charge controller for single use
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R10 697.37
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R12 195.00 |
| 4kW 5KVA, 48V, to be used with maximum 12 x 250W panels with 60A MPPT charge controller, for parallel or 3 phase |
R11 135.96 |
R12 695.00 |
| 4kW 5KVA, 48V, parallel kit to upgrade from single to parallel use |
R785.09 |
R895.00 |
| Photovoltaic (PV) Panels |
VAT Excl |
VAT Incl |
| 10Watt 12V Solar PV Panel (Monocrystalline) |
R200.88 |
R229.00 |
| 30Watt 12V Solar PV Panel (Polycrystalline) |
R437.72 |
R499.00 |
| 100Watt 12V Solar PV Panel (Polycrystalline) (Out of stock) |
R1 250.00 |
R1 425.00 |
| 250 Watt 24V Solar PV Panel (Polycrystalline), (R10.90 per Watt VAT Incl.) |
R2 390.35 |
R2 725.00 |
| Batteries |
VAT Excl |
VAT Incl |
| 170Amp - 12V Narada Batteries |
R3 942.98 |
R4 495.00 |
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Circulation Pumps 12 and 24V, Submersible and Non Submersible Pumps
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VAT Excl
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VAT Incl
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12V Circulation Pump, 10Watt Solar, 2.3m max head, 10L/minute at no head, 110° C
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R586.84
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R669.00 |
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24V Pump, 24Watt Solar, 11m max head, 20L/minute at no head, 60° C
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R613.16
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R699.00
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