Energy Matters Forums

[GarnZ]

I've had some 12 solar panels, mounted on North facing roof, for about 4 years now.
The financial gains have been good with next to zero electricity bills annually.

I'm concerned about the forthcoming years where this will not be so, in NSW anyway,
Has anyone developed a plan regarding battery storage for the coming years.
I was thinking mainly of something like "Tesla" or other smaller units to have installed (say, up to $6000).
Or the possibility of a smaller storage and a few more solar panels.

I understand the storage problem is being addressed worldwide, hence, unit price will eventually fall.
I do not favour the diversion of power to heat water, although some enjoy this method.

Any ideas appreciated. Covered space is available beside my current inverter

RegardZ.

[Tracker]

..
REDFLOW..

I am looking at the RedFlow battery, but hoping that they can get around the maintenance issue, which requires the system to be shut down every fourth day..

To me, the significant benefit is that there are NO issues with the battery being charged or disbarred or left in ANYstate for ANY time, and because the battery is based on a fluid, then the battery could have an infinite life, with chemicals being replaced or pumps being replaced...
Ie.. no total replacement in X years..

But then... we are all wondering what offers might arise in the near future..
Eg. Retailers supplying battery Power-Time-Shifting plans....
..

[Gordon-Loomberah]

The latest thing to appear in the EM store is the Sunny Boy Storage 2.5kW battery inverter, which can be used with the Powerwall or other high voltage batteries, and can be AC coupled to existing systems.
http://store.energymatters.com.au/sma-sbs-2-5-1vl-10

[davidg]

..
REDFLOW..
I am looking at the RedFlow battery, but hoping that they can get around the maintenance issue, which requires the system to be shut down every fourth day..

So if you were to conside them/it only for off-grid you would need at least 2 however I found it is more likely when doing serious load profile analysis that 3 unit would be the probable option for the average decent install, partly because of the current drain limitations of the units.

.. To me, the significant benefit is that there are NO issues with the battery being charged or disbarred or left in ANYstate for ANY time, and because the battery is based on a fluid, then the battery could have an infinite life, with chemicals being replaced or pumps being replaced...
Ie.. no total replacement in X years..

If you read the full tech manual you will find that the specific replacement items may only occur once then the entire unit must be replaced the next time round.

..
But then... we are all wondering what offers might arise in the near future..
Eg. Retailers supplying battery Power-Time-Shifting plans....
..

Retailers are not going to do any customer any favors, if they can't make any money or they loose from an offer they will either not offer it or will withdraw it quickly.

#Just saying

[GarnZ]

My Preliminary research has been looking at ...Off Grid Solar System - "Starter Kit Pro 6.0kW AGM batteries Stand alone" on ebay. However, I would want my solar panels and my inverter to be configured to fit the storage unit for their system.. The above "stand alone system" is well priced. I do think their battery looks a little on the small size.
What I think I want at this stage is basically a neat power storage unit and associated switch gear, that can be mounted near my current inverter (Orion SPG-360-2K0) and is compatible to both it and my 12 x (175w) panels
RegardZ

[Gordon-Loomberah]

6kWh is too small for an off-grid house- it would perhaps be suitable for a weekender with just lights and minimal appliance use though. I'd suggest that the "Pro" in the name is not really appropriate

[Tracker]

..
And I would be VERY cautious about something off ebay..
Especially someone offering a 6.5kW AGM battery, which would only allow a kW of useable power ..

At least a Lithium Battery would allow about 5kW..

PS.. I am now wondering if the REDFLOW, might be better used as a backup storage, given that they are totally tolerant of any state of charge..
..

[GarnZ]

Well gentlemen... What other storage (lithium) batteries are available? What physical size?
And who supplies the switch gear to support my 12 panels to...
1) supply to grid, in the interim and
2) go independent in long term.

RegardZ.

[GarnZ]

Anyone know about these...

Solar-Home-Battery-Lithium-LG-CHEM-6-4KWh-Energy-Storage-Solar-Battery
Saw this on eBay. Not sure if comparable with my inverter. $6500.

RegardZ.

[australsolarier]

garnz,
that lg battery cannot be connected to a grid feed in inverter. it might possibly help you if you read the specs. looking at the specs and pictures, it looks quite clearly to me there are only a + and a - cable that can be connected, dc 48volt nominally.
what you want to do you cannot do on the cheap.
maybe look into the tesla powerwall storage.
you might have to do a bit of home work yourself and not just ask us on the forum to do it for you. there are a lot of threads about it in this forum. also midnite classic forum has a lot of information about what you want to do.
Voltage of the tesla powerwall
350 – 450 volts
this are the tesla powerwall dc specs. now, you compare them to your solar panel dc outputs and it will give you a fair idea if they correlate.
here the website: https://www.teslamotors.com/en_AU/powerwall