Bros, Chairman, Brovar…Like you said you wanted a DIY project and the feel that comes with it… You made us see the benefits of what you did. … Some are interested in having such a setup. …but not in the DIY wat…cos not every body has the time, interest or passion like that…
So the question is simple. …Can you give an estimate of the cost of the setup (you can add your 10 months workmanship)… Keyword is estimate. …
If want to know the cost estimate? Go back to my post on Feb 1. There I did a detail listing of the general plan and listed all the items I needed for the project. Then use google to do the current price of those items. I can not give a ball pack figure, that is something you have to figure out yourself. This thing I did here is for posterity and I have left enough here for anyone who is really serious about going renewable to have a head start.
Before I started this, I was coming from a pure law and ICT background with layman knowledge of electricity and a very skeptical mind about solar. I did some intensive research and decided to share the plan, outcome and every single tiny detail here… so that anyone who is really interested don’t have to go through what I did.
Solar energy is not for everyone. if you will not take your time to understand renewable or alternative energy then my advise is stay out of it. If you know about renewable energy u will know that there is no price. YOU determine what price you want to pay and you do that by first auditing your consumption.
If someone comes here and say… hey I am interested in this project. Here is my estimated consumption and this are the items I want to power. I will definitely help out with advise based on my experience.
You need an inverter the type and size you need depends on C = your consumption
You need a panel, size you need depends on C
you need batteries, size, type you need depends on C
You need a charge controller, (apply above)
You will need wires, lugs, mc4 connectors, watt meter, wire strippers and crimp tools in case you want to do this DIY. of cause I can help with advise and if you live in abuja and I have time, would be glad to help even with part of the installation probably lend you my tools.
I have put in here all you need to do an estimate yourself with above listed items. It is all up to you. If you really interested in price, get an installer. you can use my plan and schematics for a guide to know you are not being shafted. Someone said he spent over a million on his project. Mine was no where close to that. I probably spent about 40k on the tools… wiring for me was free got some from a friend (saved me close to 40k if an electrician friend has knows the way of it)
Inverter (check the price yourself)
panel (same as above)
Battery (same - but the careful what type of battery u get. I would recommend Luminous because I am seeing the people on here might be the type to want to use a wet cell battery which is better due to how long it would last which is due to its circle even with deep discharge)
charge controller (same has above)
Since all everyone here seem interested is money no wahala a little search on konga would give u all the reveal u need. only it tells just 5% of the whole story. Renewable energy is very delicate. you have to get your maths right or it will fail. Get the wrong panel or connection and you are effed its not something u throw money at to get right. I have met people who spent millions on their project and it failed because they put the cart before the horse.
Like someone noted. this is probably the wrong place to have posted this. I might have been carried away to think the folks here were the science inclined DIY, geek techy type. my bad?
Apparently, software, cookies and gifs, are a more appealing subject matter on radar…
But hey, to cheer you up. You really did a fantastic job. Considering your background.
Here’s a bottle of Moet to cool off…
I’m glad there’s a solar enthusiast like me on Radar though I’m a professional. @bigbrovar your post was educating but lengthy unlike our Java brothers, I’ll advise you keep it brief next time. Goodluck on your project/research.
Anyone who is really interested in how there can acheieve energy sustainability could reach me on twitter. @bigbrovar. cheers
Hi @nono_ette,
I intend to build a mini solar system. Basically for charging a laptop (about 65w), phone and powering a bulb or two (low watt bulbs). Am thinking of getting the following items:
100 watt solar panel
Pwm 20a charge controller
500w modified sine inverter
100ah deep cycle battery
Need your advice on the setup, is it OK for that purpose ?. How long will it take for the system to charge the battery (to full) ? How long can the battery last powering the items ?. (Estimates).
Thanks
@Chidera he might not be able to answer your question. I stumbled on this
Aw man… you guys…
I’m not entirely sure why there was such back-and-forth on the cost of the project, since it can be easily obtained by a google search. The trouble is the needs and capabilities are so varied. Do you need a system to carry you for 1/2 day or 3 days? Lights only, or include AC and deep freezer? I’ve embarked on enough solar projects to realize that the cost can vary so widely that giving any type of ballpark would be misleading (strawman: I bought a phone for 40k. What does that tell you when one could easily spend anywhere from 20k - 200k for smartphones that pretty much have the same specs).
But at any rate, there’s this great company http://solynta.com.ng/ that sells and (leases?) solar solutions (which include panels, charger, batteries, inverters), and they have nice convenient packages that range from ₦375k for a 500W system, ₦750k for a 1kW system, all the way to ₦3.2M for 5kW and beyond. You can certainly DIY for 3/4 the price, but their cost includes installation and transportation, and the convenience of somebody else figuring out the logistics for you, especially helpful if you live outside Lagos.
NOTE: I’m not a shareholder or employee, nor was I asked to advertise for them. I will say though that I purchased a 7kW custom system from them last year and was very impressed with the entire operation (from ordering to installation). I mention them here because they have a very convenient list of price, power, and capability (what devices you can use) in one place. Another good company is http://www.pscsolaruk.com/
Shameless plug: I’m using their solution on my most ambitious solar project to date: a small student hostel build from the ground up with only solar in mind. As a result, I’ve had the freedom (and headache) of deciding to use DC-only lights, usb wall outlets, and other low voltage appliances. It does mean that I’ll never need a gen or PHCN connection which is an idea I hope will spread. Check it out here:
http://www.nairaland.com/2583312/building-solar-powered-hostel-learning-experience/2
Did that take you off the grid?
EDIT: Finished reading, it seems it did…
Lol. If a 7kW system doesn’t take you off the grid, you’re probably running a factory.
Great thread… Shame people bickering on pricing discouraged OP. SMH.
We all know how frustrating power has become, would love to have alternative energy to power my laptop
This got me rolling in laughter 
LOL!!! Epic!
From over a year solar system user perspective, I will say solar systems are great. But if you keep deliberating on how much you want to save, then you really not in need of power as expected.
The OP, i believe needed a power system that’s there for use anytime needed with no extra charges or fluctuation in operational price.
You can make ROI on solar system as early as 6 months due to fluctuation in fuel prices. This shows it can never be static when calculating savings.
Also as the op mentioned somewhere in his replies, installation prices can never be same.
A company in could tell you they will install 2kva system for 1.5million, while you can get same for N720,000.
Let me break it down using comparison of Solynta Energy:
Solynta 2kw system offers the following:
Total: 1.6million + VAT
Let me break it down on how to get this same system at a far cheaper rate.
Total: N712,787
I believe everyone now see why you might not be able to stat exact price of a system.
Solynta uses AGM Battery, but in this scenario i decided to use NXT. I could also decide to use any battery model i so wish for.
Cons:
Always add yearly battery purchase to your budget when venturing into solar system with normal batteries around.
In my case, instead of buying Solynta’s 1.6m system, I would rather use 600,000 out of that to purchase Tesla 6.6Kwh PowerWall of 10 years lifespan warranty.
NB: Am not allowed to post more than 2 links as new user, that was why i unlinked other konga links. Actually signed up to reply this though.
#SolarNerd signs out!
