28-05-2016, 05:01 PM
Running a business from home proved to be pretty expensive as far as power consumption was concerned.
Most of the power is consumed during the day from 8 computers, a small Server Data Centre, lights and heaps of electronic diagnostic equipment (scopes, analysers, soldering irons etc.).
An increase in power charges sparked the idea of self-generating power from solar.
I spent literally months researching the topic – on grid, off grid and hybrid systems – and all the terminology that went with it (PWM, MPPT blaa blaa blaa).
It was easy enough to “measure” what was required from the solar system – I spent 1 month measuring the daily usage through the smart-meter provided by the power company.
My research told me that whatever solar power installers tell you – you need to at least double it!
This was later and absolutely confirmed.
I figured that I needed at least 3000 watts (3 Kilowatts / 3KW) of power to cover what I was consuming during the day.
Factoring in cloud cover, rainy days, long winters and short winter days (with a lot of stormy conditions) I decided to make the system “flexible” for expansion (to multiply this by at least 2.5).
Any excess power could be fed back to “the grid” for credit from the power company (more on that later).
I initially purchased 6 decent 250W solar panels.
I also purchased some really cheap Chinese 600W “grid-tie” inverters from eBay.
I ran three solar panels (propped up against the garden fence and not in the ideal location to get full sun for the full day) on one inverter for a month.
I was pleasantly surprised that my power bill had dropped by 15%!
Unfortunately, two out of the four “Chinese” power inverters crapped themselves during this “testing phase”.
Seeing that there MUST be a benefit, I elected to take out a loan and purchase another 6 solar panels and a decent “locally supported” inverter (6KW) and trash the crap Chinese BLEEP.
I permanently mounted the 12 solar panels and installed the new inverter.
I was pleasantly surprised that I was generating more power than that was consumed during the day (except for the occasions that kettles or microwave ovens were used – biggest consumers of power).
Cutting a long story short here:
My monthly power bill (before solar injection) was at an average of $560 a month!
The following month (after installing the 3KW solar array) the price dropped to $180!!!
A $380 SAVING!
While I have not yet and officially requested from the power company to purchase back excess usage (excess energy generated and given back to the power company) I am now running a credit (as I have been paying a fixed amount via direct-debit to cover previous expected charges).
The biggest issue comes from your local power company and whether to tell them that you have solar or not and whether they will penalise you for generating your own power (as per this YouTube post I made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBwvPW7RIqQ)
Doubling up my solar power system is all a “wait and see” campaign in an archaic country like New Zealand when it comes to “clean and green” (which New Zealand is WAY BEHIND!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Most of the power is consumed during the day from 8 computers, a small Server Data Centre, lights and heaps of electronic diagnostic equipment (scopes, analysers, soldering irons etc.).
An increase in power charges sparked the idea of self-generating power from solar.
I spent literally months researching the topic – on grid, off grid and hybrid systems – and all the terminology that went with it (PWM, MPPT blaa blaa blaa).
It was easy enough to “measure” what was required from the solar system – I spent 1 month measuring the daily usage through the smart-meter provided by the power company.
My research told me that whatever solar power installers tell you – you need to at least double it!
This was later and absolutely confirmed.
I figured that I needed at least 3000 watts (3 Kilowatts / 3KW) of power to cover what I was consuming during the day.
Factoring in cloud cover, rainy days, long winters and short winter days (with a lot of stormy conditions) I decided to make the system “flexible” for expansion (to multiply this by at least 2.5).
Any excess power could be fed back to “the grid” for credit from the power company (more on that later).
I initially purchased 6 decent 250W solar panels.
I also purchased some really cheap Chinese 600W “grid-tie” inverters from eBay.
I ran three solar panels (propped up against the garden fence and not in the ideal location to get full sun for the full day) on one inverter for a month.
I was pleasantly surprised that my power bill had dropped by 15%!
Unfortunately, two out of the four “Chinese” power inverters crapped themselves during this “testing phase”.
Seeing that there MUST be a benefit, I elected to take out a loan and purchase another 6 solar panels and a decent “locally supported” inverter (6KW) and trash the crap Chinese BLEEP.
I permanently mounted the 12 solar panels and installed the new inverter.
I was pleasantly surprised that I was generating more power than that was consumed during the day (except for the occasions that kettles or microwave ovens were used – biggest consumers of power).
Cutting a long story short here:
My monthly power bill (before solar injection) was at an average of $560 a month!
The following month (after installing the 3KW solar array) the price dropped to $180!!!
A $380 SAVING!
While I have not yet and officially requested from the power company to purchase back excess usage (excess energy generated and given back to the power company) I am now running a credit (as I have been paying a fixed amount via direct-debit to cover previous expected charges).
The biggest issue comes from your local power company and whether to tell them that you have solar or not and whether they will penalise you for generating your own power (as per this YouTube post I made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBwvPW7RIqQ)
Doubling up my solar power system is all a “wait and see” campaign in an archaic country like New Zealand when it comes to “clean and green” (which New Zealand is WAY BEHIND!!!!!!!!!!!!)
