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

[hassannabeel27]

I have 2 Daewoo 200AH deep cycle batteries in use with UPS since last 3 years. Batteries are connected in series to make it 24 volts configuration.

Recently batteries started consuming more water. I checked battery voltages with multimeter. One battery is showing 12.5 volts while other was at 12.76 volts. Seems like one of the battery is not charging efficiently which results in overcharging of other battery. Is there any balance charger for UPS batteries like used in RC hobbies?

[mrdeejay]

Does anyone know if GST is being removed from Solar inverters as well? I'm getting mixed info from dealers

[saqibhassan95]

Solar inverters as well

yes

[mrdeejay]

Source?

[saqibhassan95]

Source?

tax was imposed on inverters as well, now vice versa, hence I'm assuming it should be waived off from inverters too

[raza1]

Sure.

I hv successfully installed 7.5 kw system at my home.
Used 14 bifacial canadian solar panels of 540 watts each.
Inverter is Huawei Sun 10KTL. Ongrid system.
Right now system is generating 25 average units in a day. Considering too cloudy weather nowadays, and with 1 to 1.5 hour loadshedding during solar hours.

[mrdeejay]

On June 22nd, our 5.1 kw (monofacial) generated 26 units (in Lahore). How come your 7.5kw (bifacial) generated only 25? city?

[raza1]

Bcaz weather is too cloudy in Karachi here. Most of the time no sun at all.

[Moderator]

high wind will blow it away on a storm? I want it elevated because I’d like to keep the roof clear for walking / sitting.

sir it depend upon surrounding (area) location and avg wind speed in the area.

if there are buildings lower then your roof top, the lower & higher end of elevated structure shall be correctly tied to base (roof top). The load dividing angles for panels over the frame shall be designed to hold at minimum of 4 points (2 parallel & 2 horizontal). Edge panels shall have extra tie grips. There shall be enough space between longitudinal array of panels to allow air passage. you need to make sure that all tie points are well coated with anti rust material for safety from weather corrosion.

Your Installer if an educated guy will be able to provide you correct guidance knowing the design & safety aesthetics of an elevated structure.

[Ali.A.Khan]

Any idea of the installation costs for an on grid system with 10kw inverter and 10kw panels?

Secondly I’ve been quoted inverters of Huawei/Sungrow/Solis and panels of Canadian Jinko/Longi. Any suggestions and recommendations on these?

[saqibhassan95]

Huawei

The best one, go for it

Canadian Jinko/Longi.

No issues with either of these, all are tier 1
It's upto you, whether you want mono or bifacial, 540-545 or 645-650 watt

[AkbarGr8]

Here's a picture of my panels after the recent rain in Karachi. Should I clean them now or wait since we're expecting more rain starting early July. Thanks

[mrdeejay]

Did you have monofacial in the past? Wondering if bifacial are worth it? Installers I have spoken with are saying they offer around 5% gain in their experience

[raza1]

This is my first ever experience of solar system. My installer suggested bifacial, for obvious reasons that they can generate electricity from both sides.
So they are little bit more productive than monos.

[saqibhassan95]

for obvious reasons that they can generate electricity from both sides.

in my opinion, 5 years more performance warranty, (25 vs 30 years) and lower annual degradation as compared to mono facial is more important rather than only better production
and overall better safety, fewer chances of damage on the rear side due to weather etc, as it has glass on both sides, kinda glass sandwich

[umans]

gain depends upon many factors but in my opinion thy are worth buying even if you don't consider gain

• bifacial gain, even if you mount them conventionally, there will be a some gain
• More durable, glass vs eva sheet, more warranty
• Less chances of microcracks. Installers are careless during handling
• Aesthetically pleasing, it counts if panels are visible from beneath
• Least tech than monofficial
• Price difference is not much (assuming 2-3 Rs difference per watt)

[mrdeejay]

The only issue is max wattage available is 535 (excluding extra large 600+ Watt ones). Monos are available in 550W, which guarantees 550W rating rather than hoping there is bifacial gain.

I'm also planning on switching Infini 10KW hybrid to Nitrox 12KW hybrid. Nitrox has 13A per string limit, so that also limits my options in terms of using bifacial. I heard from some sellers that containers of new panels are sitting at the port to be cleared in July. Lets see if there are 545-550W bifacial in that stock. If so, then I might just go for them.

[saqibhassan95]

best hybrid inverter in 5-6kw range?
I have picked nitrox 6kw and solar max orion 5.6kw, probably will go for orion 5.6kw
any other better alternative?

[mrdeejay]

I think orion is made by Voltronic, Nitrox is made by Deye. Heard good reviews about Nitrox/Deye inverter. Although voltronic is a reputable company, their products seem more geared towards industrial environments rather than consumer.
For me deciding factor was Unbalanced loads, Nitrox 12KW hybrid can handle upto 6KW per phase. Whereas our current 10KW infini hybrid trips if it goes around 3400W. So we have to be really carefully about running Irons, Ovens etc.

[tarifkh1]

They are OK but not optimal. Spotless panels will get max output. Example. My 14kw panels generate 75kw when this dirty on cloudless day. Same weather, spotless clean generated 93kw.