I'm getting a 5 kW system installed with 9 x 450 Watt panels, which should be sufficient for our househould in summer - about 15.5 kW/ day.
One gets bombarded with everybody telling you that is would be madness to off grid.
BUT
In Paarl for 60 Amp munisipality supply, the basic is R678 /m.
So I'm going to monitor usage over winter and then decide how many more panels I need and if the inverter/ battery can cope with that. Supplier talks of 20 % less generation in winter, but in very heavy raincloud cover I'm sure it will be less.
If need be, geyser only switched on by demand i.e. once daily at most to 45 degrees C.
Worst scenario, standby generator.
I've been unsuccessfull op to now to get an answer from our municipality as to red tape to get off grid and how much trouble and time it would take to go back on with tail between the legs to reconnect.
Anyone with experience or advice?
Thanks
One gets bombarded with everybody telling you that is would be madness to off grid.
BUT
In Paarl for 60 Amp munisipality supply, the basic is R678 /m.
So I'm going to monitor usage over winter and then decide how many more panels I need and if the inverter/ battery can cope with that. Supplier talks of 20 % less generation in winter, but in very heavy raincloud cover I'm sure it will be less.
If need be, geyser only switched on by demand i.e. once daily at most to 45 degrees C.
Worst scenario, standby generator.
I've been unsuccessfull op to now to get an answer from our municipality as to red tape to get off grid and how much trouble and time it would take to go back on with tail between the legs to reconnect.
Anyone with experience or advice?
Thanks
