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

[umans]

Overpriced. Panels are around 115/W and Nitrox 3KW is around 280K in retail.

[AbbasJin]

I'm not sure about the delays in your region but I'd recommmend finding someone who can help you put wheels under your file. My installer in pindi had my net meter installed within 2 weeks. Sadly That's the only way to avoid such forced delays in this land of the pure.

[capsat]

Have 2 solar panels 12 vDC x 250 watts -(connected in parallel) since 2010
under dusty conditions (if not cleaned for 10 days) generate approx 16 vDC & 7 amps at 8. am to 11.45 am drops to 13 vDC & 4 amps at 5 pm.
alternate day mop cleaning - avg is 14 vDC & 5 amps during sunlight hours.

Both panels are connected to a Inverex XP 1200 with a 86AH flooded battery. dedicated connection to home CCTV, Intercom, Main Gate lights & latch locks.

[AbbasJin]

Guys I need suggestions for a small inverter 2-3kW that I can use as UPS. Without just a battery or two. Without any solar panels for now.

In future I’ll add solar panels to it so instead of buying a legacy ups I want to go with inverter option.

What would you recommend that I can setup myself easily?

My solar installer quoted me 170k for SolarMax R4 and 105k for two batteries 180AH but I’m not sure I wanna go with them as they’re out of town and will probably charge a big premium for installing such a small/simple system.

Not to mention they also charge premium on each item sold instead of me sourcing it locally.

[noobie]

I was actually using Inverex Veyron 2.5kw previously as a UPS (just batteries and no PV). It replaced my old homage UPS because i wanted pure sine-wave so that my PC would not restart It was solid and running quite well. Cost me 45k back in the day (2 years ago) but price is probably around 80k now i guess due to price hikes. However, there are a few issues this particular model:

1) PV Support is only up to 1440w (which wasn't a problem for me as I never intended to use it with solar panels)
2) It does not support SUB mode.

I bought it anyway because I wasn't planning on adding panels but in hindsight I should have purchased 3.2kw model as that has 5500w PV support and SBU mode as well and i could keep it as a backup in case my main inverter develops a problem.

You don't need a solar installer for this. All you have do is to connect the UPS wires to it (Assuming UPS wiring is in place), batteries, and the input from the Wapda. Any competent electrician should be able to set this up.

[AbbasJin]

Is it differently priced than the Nitrox 3.2 kw inverter? I got quote for Nitrox 3.2 and it’s pretty expensive at 285000pkr

[mgalaxy3]

It looks like Veyron 2.5 and 3.2 are both priced exorbitantly high right now. It was a good buy a year back though.

Anyone has experience with Fronus platinum series? 3200va / 3kw is for about 115k..

Not sure it has SUB mode though

[mgalaxy3]

I think Veyron 3.2 should be priced less than nitrox as it doesn’t support export function or net metering.. do get multiple quotes though it shouldn’t be priced above 150k theoretically but everyone’s hoarding these days.

[noobie]

Yes, Veyron should be priced lower than Nitrox. @mgalaxy3 Yes, Inverex is unfortunately overpriced now. Crown/Fronus seems to be better priced.

[noobie]

Thanks, looks like my solar vendor did pull some strings and was able to get my meter installed yesterday:

Today's production:

(9810W PV capacity currently, hoping to increase it to 15000W soon - just hoping for more price decreases in the next few weeks specially if IMF deal goes through and govt opens imports again).

[chdemon]

ok i will try it. and will let you know.

[noobie]

Hi,

I have a few questions regarding batteries :

1) I have noticed that inverter keeps charging the batteries at a very low power level (< 100 watts, usually around 85 to 90 watts) even at 100% SOC, is that maintenance charge?
2) I have 8 batteries 280AH connected to the inverter and it shows Battery Voltage：55.09V when fully charged, is this correct voltage?
3) What should be the Floating and Absorption Voltage values? Currently, it is 55.2V and 57.6V, is that correct?

[chdemon]

how do you get this interface ? from mobile application or web ? i have matrix fronus inverter and i am using solarman application but for me the "battery charge is always" 0.

[chdemon]

i think 75% is better efficiency. i have 6.5 , not netmetered yet. but in a week in sha Allah it will be installed. regarding net metering process if you give them there portion, they wont even open eyes and come to see anything. i just signed the papers and everything is approved. now just waiting for installation. vender gave me time for this thursday. btw my case has been approved without any visit or any kind of verification as they just care about bribe amount. and nothing else.

[capsat]

my case has been approved without any visit or any kind of verification

do you mean there is no electric inspector visit and testing of earth by the power provider?? How many ground (earth) pits your vendor build-up??

[chdemon]

0 pits by now, no visits. bribery at its best. but i will do pits no doubt about that. thats for my own safety too. 2 pits i plan. but only 35-40 feet maximum. vendor will not build any pits. its on me, if i want 1 or 2. i tried to go the normal way which is proper way without bribery, but believe me the issues i got.... they asked too many questions and documents which i definitely have no idea about.

[capsat]

i can get my very own death certificate from NADRA by visiting and verifying biometrics giving them a burial proof from xyz graveyard, of course at a premium price. in our country it is all about monies,

@chdemon earth pits are for your safety your system integrator belongs to some bastard class chimpanzee who put your monies and your whole infrastructure at stake. get your system grounded as in yesterday.

please

[mrdeejay]

Anyone know what's the Net-metering policy regarding Single-phase inverters. It will installed in area served by FESCO (faisalabad). Seems like only single phase hybrid inverters are available that are less than 10KW.

Also, does phase unbalanced load (cause by most load on Single phase hybrid inverter) result in excess charges? or are modern green meters capable of detecting that and charging accordingly?

[mrdeejay]

What's a reasonable quote for an elevated structure for 20 panels (90x45)?

[saqibhassan95]

Anyone know what's the Net-metering policy regarding Single-phase inverters. It will installed in area served by FESCO (faisalabad). Seems like only single phase hybrid inverters are available that are less than 10KW.

upto 5kw, single phase inverters are allowed (in practice I've seen upto +-10kw)