I want a quote. What information does Sinetech need from me?
There is no standard “one size fits all” system; without data specific to your lifestyle and power footprint, we are UNABLE to give a quotation. If you are not sure of the answers, please speak to your local electrician or an electrical engineer:
- Should the system be grid tie ? Check with your municipality if this is allowed.
- Or should the system be self-contained as a backup system with batteries?
- Should the system be a backup system with grid-tie facility?
- Single phase or three phase?
- What is your daily consumption in kW/hr.
- What is your peak power consumption in kW.
- Autonomy required? (the backup time required from batteries when there is no sunshine)
- Within how many days must the battery bank recharge after a full discharge?
- Where will the system be mounted : ground, flat roof, pitched roof, etc.?
- Co-ordinates / location.
Can’t you just give me a ballpark figure? What is solar energy going to cost me?
You can work on about R22 – R28/W (grid tie system) to R35 – R40/W (with battery backup).
To get a rough price indication, take the total kW/hrs used in a 24-hour period, divide it by 6, then multiply by the Rand figure given above.
Calculation Example: Total kW/hrs in 24 hours = 45kW/hrs / 6 = 7.5kW (or 7500W/hrs) x R28.00 = R210 000.00 for a grid tie system installed, excluding batteries.
If this is within your budget and you want to go further, then please contact us. We would have to do a detailed design which we would charge for.
Examples of Types of PV Solar Systems:
Off-Grid / Standalone PV Solar System
For situations where mains power is not available, or the client wishes to become completely independent of the grid. All power is generated by the solar panels; a battery bank stores excess power for use at night or when the sun is not shining.
Grid-Tie PV Solar System
Very popular in European countries, where residents may feed excess power back into the grid; solar panels provide power during the day, and at night power is drawn from the mains. There is no battery bank or power storage facility in this configuration.
Grid-Tie PV Solar System with backup
Similar to the Grid-Tie PV Solar System but a battery bank for storage of excess power is present; client would not have to use mains if load is not excessive. Due to the fact that a grid-tie inverter must cease operation in the event of a grid failure – ie neither solar nor grid power can be fed in or out while the grid is out of commission – a small, separate backup system is recommended.
Hybrid PV Solar System with backup
With a Hybrid System offers, essential loads are fed by direct solar during the day, whether the grid is active or not. The grid feeds non-essential loads. Excess solar is directed first into the battery bank and then to non-essential loads, to cut down on your electrical bills. In the event of a grid failure at night, essential loads draw power from the battery bank.
