The Alternative Energy Thread - Generators, Solar, UPS, Wind

[alam786]

In UK you cannot even connect a new 32A socket or even a garden flood light without planning permission.

[needhelp]

DC is a good option if you are using self generated electricity in my view but the compatibility is a big issue. You have to convert all your equipment to use DC and it is possible to do so especially if you want to leave in wilderness for the rest of your life i guess. It just boils down how the big guys sees things and those are the distributors and generators of power in bulk

but like i said, if its just fans and lights in a village, its perfect.

[alam786]

There is potential of course!

[OsmanMM]

To all the DIY fans, when installing the Inverter and connecting it to WAPDA (if you are going for Hybrid or On Grid option) make sure that you don't feed additional electricity to WAPDA, because the new WAPDA meters are two quadrant energy meters and you will end up paying WAPDA for the additional electricity that you have fed into their system. (New meters don't "run in reverse" like the previous ones used to)

[akifjanjua]

[akifjanjua]

[akifjanjua]

[akifjanjua]

sir share the details plz...how much did it cost?
details of diy and pics too plz

Added a few pics of my Offgrid setup.. Simple Panels in 24v configuration.. a 30A MPPT Charge controller.. a 24v battery bank.. and a Desi UPS.. runs a half HP Motor and lighting comfortably

[whiteangel]

@rizwan400

Did you explore the possibility of using micro-inverters instead of using a centralized inverter? It's fairly new tech and it has several advantages as compared to a centralized inverter. Please see the link below.

http://www.enecsys.com/products/micro-inverter-technology/

SunPower AC Solar Panels

Secondly, how does the "Sending power to the grid work". Does your meter run backwards when you are making excess power than you use?

[iNelastic]

Guys please guide what wattage solar system should I go for considering that i need to run 4 ceiling fans, 5 energy savers, 2 fridge, 1 freezer , 1 Lcd tv 45", laptop.

Is a 3Kw system enough for this load?

Kindly tell how many batteries 200 AH each are required as well as only 4 fans and fridges freezer would be on at night time.

[AmeerUsman]

but with transformer and inverter you can loose upto 20% of the power...so in cases where all you are running is some fans and lights, its better to just use dc voltage...that way you can save cost of invertor and transformer and panels can be connected directly to the battery.

U r right as far as cost of inverter is considered, but U cannot transmit 12V DC to long distances without losses. Even if you transmit itfrom battery room to another room, the voltage shall drop.
Scondly if u use a Jumbo sized Pakistani UPS/Inverter whose tranformer is directly running on 50Hz frequency, then due to very large core size and heavy wire with many mm dia (of which the transformer is made) will result in losses. Thats why I advised u to use PWM small sized inverter/UPS in order to reduce losses.

[qwertypoiu]

Has any one got qoute for solar panal big enough to run whole 1 kanal house on solar power and completely cut off wapda?

Sent from my A8 using PakWheels Forums mobile app

[needhelp]

^but do u get proper sine wave with PWM ?

[Sharo53]

Started concentrated solar energy prototype project many times but stopped due to the level of custom building from mirrors to steam engine. and also storing heat.

bro share the details plz... also want to try this one day...
what was your planning...
you got pics on your project?

[haseeb114]

bro share the details plz... also want to try this one day...
what was your planning...
you got pics on your project?

Naa man, project died on paper. because main steps in this system are:
1.Get heat from sun, by focusing sunlight on one point using mirror(can be done by placing mirrors on TV dish).and dish should be at 90 degree with sun at all time.
2.Collect that heat in oil or molten salt.(At ~ 350-500* c)
3.Store that heated oil/salt in a way that it wont cool down.
4.Use that heated oil to boil water,to get steam.
5.Pressurize that steam.
6.Run a steam engine or turbine.
7.Connect engine/turbine to generator.

and u will get free solar energy day and night.

[rizwan400]

@rizwan400

Did you explore the possibility of using micro-inverters instead of using a centralized inverter? It's fairly new tech and it has several advantages as compared to a centralized inverter. Please see the link below.

Micro inverter technology « Enecsys

SunPower AC Solar Panels

Secondly, how does the "Sending power to the grid work". Does your meter run backwards when you are making excess power than you use?

I also worked on Micro inverters but the lowest quote I received is for 200 USD for 200w panel. It's ex-work Taiwan price so I need to add shipment and custom clearance charges also. Sending power to grid works when inverter is in grid tie mode. I am using on hybrid mode so sending to grid is out of question.
But as per feedback from some other project owners some people get deduction bills from different distribution companies because of meter reversal when they use inverters in Grid Tie mode.

[rizwan400]

U r right as far as cost of inverter is considered, but U cannot transmit 12V DC to long distances without losses. Even y to
from battery room to another room, the voltage shall drop.
Scondly if u use a Jumbo sized Pakistani UPS/Inverter whose tranformer is directly running on 50Hz frequency, then due to very large core size and heavy wire with many mm dia (of which the transformer is made) will result in losses. Thats why I advised u to use PWM small sized inverter/UPS in order to reduce losses.

PWM or MPPT are technologies which use in chargers & inverters. MPPT is more then 3 times expensive then PWM.

[AmeerUsman]

^but do u get proper sine wave with PWM ?

Its modified step sine wave but it can run almost all equipment without any damage. Pure sine wave PWM inverters are also available but their cost is three times that of modified sine wave and/or square wave inverters.

[AmeerUsman]

PWM or MPPT are technologies which use in chargers not for the inverters.

Not exactly. PWM is a technique used in many electronic equipment. Inverters is one one of these equipment. Pulse Width Modulation is used in Inverters to give a steady output voltage of 230 Volts AC irrespective of the load using the feedback control principle. I have been working on PWM inverters as a hobbyist. Please search internet for details. Some Charge controllers also use PWM techniques.
Regards

[rizwan400]

Not exactly. PWM is a technique used in many electronic equipment. Inverters is one one of these equipment. Pulse Width Modulation is used in Inverters to give a steady output voltage of 230 Volts AC irrespective of the load using the feedback control principle. I have been working on PWM inverters as a hobbyist. Please search internet for details. Some Charge controllers also use PWM techniques.
Regards

I mean most of the manufacturer doesn't mention the inverter technology. They just mention its wave type. But all chargers manufacturer mention or declare its technology. I am not working as hobbyist and already search enough also had hands on experience for all type of step-up and step-down power devices. Anyways thanks for correction.