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

[mgalaxy3]

Right..
I guess to account for rainy days 38kwh might have to be increased.

Fire can certainly be a problem specially for such a big bank.

And LFP will last 15+ years.

[noobie]

I would keep WAPDA as a backup or at the very least, a generator to charge the batteries (rainy/winter days) if WAPDA is unavailable. Many people in the U.S. have implemented a similar setup (I watch a ton of offgrid solar videos on youtube), but it’s not yet financially practical. Given the current net metering scheme and the price of the solar system, I think it's just better to get like twice the capacity of solar system (to ensure Wapda bill is zero or negative) instead of spending large amount of money on batteries.

[mgalaxy3]

Yes you’re right financially net metering makes sense.

But it’s more about ending reliance on power company. Or let’s say become a prepper .

[AkbarGr8]

Net metering is doomed, at least it will be very soon. I would highly recommend going 100% offgrid. Get high quality batteries like pylontech, proper earthing and follow solar safety protocols.

With pmts now mostly full and net metering pretty much doomed, advising people to choose ongrid systems is not sound.

[noobie]

I'm in 100% agreement as far as on-grid is concerned. On-Grid is not even a practical option for residential at least. Hybrid is the best solution. However, going completely offgrid is not practical for many due to high costs of batteries. For example, my average usage is now 2000 units in summer which is approximately 66kw per day. It would not be practical for me to go offgrid at the moment due to costs and battery storage requirements (I cannot trust local installers to properly install and configure 12+ batteries bank..local technicians have no idea they just copy/paste whatever they've been told - i could do it myself but too busy with work at the moment and quite frankly cannot afford 12+ batteries power bank at the moment) however hybrid system works well for me with my current 15kw battery backup that provides enough backup for me to handle any power outages.

[AkbarGr8]

I'd say a hybrid setup with sufficient batteries to last you the entire night / charge during the day WITH a Utility connection as backup. In my case, even with peak usage during summers, my nightime / non solar useage does not exceed 40 units.

Spot on that local installers / solar techs are quacks when it comes to batteries / hybrid inverters, which is why one has to do their own research and get work done under self supervision. Taking a few days off from work for such a sensitive and rewarding project is highly recommended and I will do the same when the time comes.

[mgalaxy3]

@AkbarGr8 can you share what you mean by net metering doomed / pmts full?

Is net metering being suspended or what?

[chinyoti]

I need some info if any one who has a non hybrid inverter onGrid setup and is using UPS systems instead of battery back up, for back up or peak hour usage?

[AkbarGr8]

Net metering rates are most likely going to be targeted by the govt as the payback period / breakeven is around 2 years for ongrid systems.

I.e. the rates will be reduced to increase the payback period / discourage new ongrid users.

As battery prices continue to fall, people will switch to hybrid / offgrid setups thus my advice that getting an ongrid system nowadays makes no sense.

With regards to PMTs being full, here in KHI, an areas PMT / transformer doesn't support more than 30% net metering of total capacity. Since solar prices have dropped even further, there's been an immense rush for people towards ongrid/net metering hence PMTs are now full in most areas. When this happens, your net metering application is denied OR asked to pay around 70 lakhs for a higher capacity PMT.

Hope this helps - to summarise, friends don't let friends buy / install ongrid systems

[mgalaxy3]

Had no idea about this pmt/transformer limit.. wow.

[AkbarGr8]

Another important point. Ongrid systems provide little to no power till a net meter is installed. I understand punjab is faster, but here in khi it takes anything between 2-4 months, subject to meter and pmt capacity availability.

On a hybrid inverter, you start saving from day one and get power during an outage as well.

[chinyoti]

Has anyone her got Solar AC installed in their houses?

[mgalaxy3]

What’s a decent 1C LFP battery these days that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?

Pylontech is nice but very overpriced above 280k for .uf5000..

Any other options in the market?

[umans]

Maybe Dyness in 230K

[AkbarGr8]

Dyness was 240K last i heard. Apparently there are two versions - Dubai lot and regular China lot.

The China lot has proper warranty support.

[mgalaxy3]

How is it? Good reliability? And 1C?

[umans]

Yes it is 1C. I dont have first hand experience but brand is reputable.

[AkbarGr8]

In some brochures its listed as 1C whereas in some I've seen it as 0.5C. If you're installing multiple batteries, this will most likely not be an issue for you.

[sardarg]

حال ہی میں نیٹ میٹرنگ کے خاتمے کے بارے میں کئی خبریں ہیں۔ اگست 2024 میں نیٹ میٹرنگ کے ٹیرف پر نظر ثانی کی گئی ہے اور سہ ماہی بنیادوں پر ایڈجسٹمنٹ کی اجازت ہے۔ میں نے اپنے گھر پر اکتوبر 2024 میں 6 کلو واٹ کا ہائبرڈ سسٹم لگایا۔ اور واضح طور پر میں نے KE کے نومبر - دسمبر 2023 کے مقابلے میں یونٹ کی کھپت کا 60% سے زیادہ بچا لیا ہے۔ مجھے یقین ہے کہ گرمیوں میں جب سورج کے اوقات زیادہ ہوتے ہیں تو ہم یونٹوں کے لحاظ سے بہتر بچت کر سکتے ہیں۔ میرے انسٹالر نے مطلع کیا ہے کہ یونٹ کی کھپت کے 70% سے زیادہ بچانے کا شاید ہی کوئی طریقہ ہے۔ میں موسم گرما شروع ہونے پر KE پر رات کے وقت صرف 2 انورٹر ایئر کنڈیشنر چلانے کا ارادہ رکھتا ہوں۔ انسٹالر نے دن کی روشنی میں بھی ایئر کنڈیشنر استعمال کرنے کا مشورہ دیا لیکن شام 4 بجے بند ہو جاتا ہے، تاکہ بیٹریاں اوقات میں چارج ہونے کے لیے بیک اپ فراہم کر سکیں۔ یہ بھی دلچسپ ہے کہ آف پیک اور ہائی چارج صرف 5 کلو واٹ اور اس سے زیادہ کے منظور شدہ لوڈ پر لاگو ہوتا ہے۔
peak & off peak timings vary with every service provider

[AkbarGr8]

What kind of batteries do you have? Inverter details?