Loadshedding solutions

[Jensie]

On 1/18/2023 at 11:57 PM, Spookie said:

Noob Q: Anyone else having issues with fibre during loadshedding?

I have a UPS that can last the 2-4h stints no problem, but after an hour of loadshedding the internet stops working. So everything is connected, just no data flow (broadband light is red and service light is off - usually both are green).

Raised it with my ISP and they just blame Eskom and their ‘batteries not having enough time to recharge’. I’m not super clued up on these things, so trying to confirm that it’s definitely an ISP issue and not a fibre provider issue before I change ISP’s only to find I’ve gone full circle 😂 friends down the road are MWEB and have zero issues even in 4h windows.

 

We never ever had a problem with loadshedding with our Fibre/isp. I know that RAIN in our little dorpie is not working. Must be an ISP issue.

[Eddy Gordo]

[ChrisF]

20 minutes ago, Eddy Gordo said:

 

This lot get my "hair up" with their stupid adds ....

 

I need to buy a R9k pre-paid meter if I want to feed power back. (2021 rate)

 

I need to enter into an agreement with a monthly fee, before I have sold the first unit of power to them ....

 

NO WAY the average homeowner, in Cape Town, could ever break even selling power back to the City.

 

 

PS - YES, I do have a "City approved" system.  Jumped through all the hoops ... but opted for the normal pre-paid meter which does not allow me to feed back.

 

 

PPS - provide the feedback meter free of charge, remove the monthly fee ... then it would make sense for the typical home owner to feed back their couple of spare units per day ....  Looking at the roofs in our area, there must be enough spare capacity to power another couple of homes in the area.

[HdB]

Well, from the article on News24, at least they are looking into it:
 

Quote

To feed power into the grid or wheel across, customers need to have their system approved and an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meter installed by the City. This bi-directional meter allows accurate reporting of the amounts of energy consumed and generated. 

As the meter is costly, Hill-Lewis says officials are working on finding a cheaper alternative. 

Which is probably more than can be said for anywhere else in the country

[Jase619]

26 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

This lot get my "hair up" with their stupid adds ....

 

I need to buy a R9k pre-paid meter if I want to feed power back. (2021 rate)

 

I need to enter into an agreement with a monthly fee, before I have sold the first unit of power to them ....

 

NO WAY the average homeowner, in Cape Town, could ever break even selling power back to the City.

 

 

PS - YES, I do have a "City approved" system.  Jumped through all the hoops ... but opted for the normal pre-paid meter which does not allow me to feed back.

 

 

PPS - provide the feedback meter free of charge, remove the monthly fee ... then it would make sense for the typical home owner to feed back their couple of spare units per day ....  Looking at the roofs in our area, there must be enough spare capacity to power another couple of homes in the area.

Maybe we shouldn't bash one of the few places that actually is trying to solve an issue. While it may not be perfect, at least it's something. And in this country anything at this point is better than nothing.

[dave303e]

27 minutes ago, Jase619 said:

Maybe we shouldn't bash one of the few places that actually is trying to solve an issue. While it may not be perfect, at least it's something. And in this country anything at this point is better than nothing.

Look if they can source a cheaper meter then that will be great, but if it is not financially viable then it is not financially viable. The meter's should not cost the solar owners a cent, we have paid line rentals and network charges for a long time and the meter is part of the network so they can upgrade that.

The other issue with selling solar power back to the grid is that there is no way I am pushing power from my battery into the grid. Direct from the panels is one thing but not from the battery. Which means we will have a lovely supply of power during the day(great for businesses) but for homeowners when the peak is evenings and early mornings the issue will still be there.

[Brawler]

I have one of these Gizzu 500w 518wh jobbies and am quite happy with the purchase. 

It is very basic (slow charging at 6 hours, pretty basic screen) but it does the job. Currently sitting in a blackout with my laptop + docking station + high res high refresh monitor and it's only sucking 62W at the moment so I am good for many hours.

55-inch TV and Xbox Series S are also good for a blackout or two depending on what the Xbox is doing.

I'd love a proper solar system but I don't have access to R160k right now so the plan is for the Gizzu to last a year or two while I find the money for solar (or pack up and leave).

[dave303e]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

I need to buy a R9k pre-paid meter if I want to feed power back. (2021 rate)

 

 

NO WAY the average homeowner, in Cape Town, could ever break even selling power back to the City.

 

 

PPS - provide the feedback meter free of charge, remove the monthly fee ... then it would make sense for the typical home owner to feed back their couple of spare units per day ....  Looking at the roofs in our area, there must be enough spare capacity to power another couple of homes in the area.

we sit with easy 5-7kw we could sell for most of the day. But selling the power would never cover the line rental/network charges so sorry to the neighbors... 

[Showtime]

46 minutes ago, dave303e said:

Look if they can source a cheaper meter then that will be great, but if it is not financially viable then it is not financially viable. The meter's should not cost the solar owners a cent, we have paid line rentals and network charges for a long time and the meter is part of the network so they can upgrade that.

The other issue with selling solar power back to the grid is that there is no way I am pushing power from my battery into the grid. Direct from the panels is one thing but not from the battery. Which means we will have a lovely supply of power during the day(great for businesses) but for homeowners when the peak is evenings and early mornings the issue will still be there.

When so much power is currently coming from burning diesel, the daytime only isn't a drawback. Eskom can save the diesel for the evenings. 

[Eddy Gordo]

I am also interested in solar, but not interested in feeding back into the system. I would rather have the city subsidise solar installations like they did with solar geysers.

[ChrisF]

2 hours ago, dave303e said:

we sit with easy 5-7kw we could sell for most of the day. But selling the power would never cover the line rental/network charges so sorry to the neighbors... 

 

Exactly the point I was trying to make.

[Frosty]

It’s a bit selfish, but I’ll use whatever power is coming from the panels and power the house and charge the battery. Soon to be two batteries, and perhaps another aircon. Charity starts at home.

[Frosty]

[Theunissa]

I see alot of people want to put back. Remember the time most with solar want to put back is 10-15. This when they need the least amount. Because the problem these days is people want to give back during the day and withdraw at night what they put into the system or early morning to charge batteries. This creates a huge variance and unstable system. Also if you install a proper inverter like deye or synsunk you can feed back into your input and use your excess to supply pool pumps geysers etc

[ChrisF]

9 minutes ago, Theunissa said:

I see alot of people want to put back. Remember the time most with solar want to put back is 10-15. This when they need the least amount. Because the problem these days is people want to give back during the day and withdraw at night what they put into the system or early morning to charge batteries. This creates a huge variance and unstable system. Also if you install a proper inverter like deye or synsunk you can feed back into your input and use your excess to supply pool pumps geysers etc

 

Also remember that during this time slot we have loadshedding and generators being used.

 

Any and all PV will assist in reducing the loadshedding during this period and/or saving diesel.

 

 

 

IF the coal and nuclear stations are capable of delivering 100% of the load, during that afternoon slot, then the pv would counter productive .... it seems we are very far from that situation .....

[ChrisF]

There is a bit of rye humour in the June date of the COCT ....

 

 

This is thee least productive time for pv installations ....

 

It would take another 2 or 3 months before significant excess is available.