NewStats: 3,263,826 , 8,181,520 topics. Date: Sunday, 08 June 2025 at 06:47 AM 73446n

Namzy:

I hope you understand what 'efficiency' means when talking about solar s? Because 23% efficiency is very very good. The efficiency stated on the solar s is not how many watts they can produce. But means the power to size ratio. In simple English it means if 2 s are exactly the same dimensions and one is rated 300w while the other is rated 400w, the later can produce more watts with same form factor hence more 'efficient'. Most good s produce 80% and above of their capacity when installed properly.

I understand that. Now imagine getting a gen that is 23% efficient. Or a car that is 23% efficient for whatever fuel you put in. That's scandalous. I'm not saying 23% efficiency for solar isn't excellent. I'm saying compared to other sources of energy, 23% returns for input provided is horrible. But at the very least I'm still getting electricity to meet most of my daily energy needs so its okay for me.

airsaylongcome:


I understand that. Now imagine getting a gen that is 23% efficient. Or a car that is 23% efficient for whatever fuel you put in. That's scandalous. I'm not saying 23% efficiency for solar isn't excellent. I'm saying compared to other sources of energy, 23% returns for input provided is horrible. But at the very least I'm still getting electricity to meet most of my daily energy needs so its okay for me.

With this your explanation you still don't understand what 23% efficiency means. I don't know how else to explain it. It does not mean that the solar will produce 23% of its rated power. Most solar s will produce about 80% of its rated capacity. If solar s only produced 23% of its capacity no one will be using solar s worldwide. I went ahead to explain what the efficiency rating stated on solar s specs means but you still think it means it will produce 23% of its rated capacity

Namzy:

With this your explanation you still don't understand what 23% efficiency means. I don't know how else to explain it. It does not mean that the solar will produce 23% of its rated power. Most solar s will produce about 80% of its rated capacity. If solar s only produced 23% of its capacity no one will be using solar s worldwide. I went ahead to explain what the efficiency rating stated on solar s specs means but you still think it means it will produce 23% of its rated capacity

No, I don't think that a 300W Solar is generating 23% of 300W. My understanding is that is is generating 23% of the total solar energy it receives

airsaylongcome:


No, I don't think that a 300W Solar is generating 23% of 300W. My understanding is that is is generating 23% of the total solar energy it receives

This assumption is also wrong. I explained it. Lemme try explaining it again. Efficiency means size to power ratio. Imagine you have 2 solar s with dimensions 1 meter length by 1 meter width, both have same length and width but one is rated 300w and another is rated 400w. The one rated 400w is more efficient that's it. It has nothing to do with power production. It's just that the company found how to squeeze extra power without increasing the length and width of the 400w s. So given limited roof space, you will be better off installing the 400w since it's the same size as 300w but you gained extra 100w for the same solar dimensions. So if the 300w is rated 18% efficient, the 400w will now be rated about 20 or 22% efficient. Typical solar s are 18% efficient. Manufactures are trying to find ways to increasing it, leading to newer half cut solar s. That's why you can now see a solar with 500w and above with same dimensions as 350w

Namzy:

This assumption is also wrong. I explained it. Lemme try explaining it again. Efficiency means size to power ratio. Imagine you have 2 solar s with dimensions 1 meter length by 1 meter width, both have same length and width but one is rated 300w and another is rated 400w. The one rated 400w is more efficient that's it. It has nothing to do with power production. It's just that the company found how to squeeze extra power without increasing the length and width of the 400w s. So given limited roof space, you will be better off installing the 400w since it's the same size as 300w but you gained extra 100w for the same solar dimensions. So if the 300w is rated 18% efficient, the 400w will now be rated about 20 or 22% efficient

Okay. Got it. Thanks

Teedeechian:
Does the 600w include your fridge?
How's it holding up?
Cause i think fridge is what's still holding me back should incase Nepa decides not to supply power for like 3 days, and buying solar fridge is not in the plan for now.

I removed the fridge. I only plug it when there is no light for a while or when I won't be around.

I think my battery (gel) is the best fit for the fridge's sudden spike to 800w when it's plugged.

The issue I encountered is that when light goes, the fridge compressor will start making loud noises and vibrations for almost 30 seconds. So, the fridge is detecting the voltage drop when the inverter takes over.

The television and decoder doesn't go off. But my mac detects the drop as well.

So what was the estimate amount spent to install everything and will the little sunshine during raining season be sufficient?

Ovaltine:


I removed the fridge. I only plug it when there is no light for a while or when I won't be around.

I think my battery (gel) is the best fit for the fridge's sudden spike to 800w when it's plugged.

The issue I encountered is that when light goes, the fridge compressor will start making loud noises and vibrations for almost 30 seconds. So, the fridge is detecting the voltage drop when the inverter takes over.

The television and decoder doesn't go off. But my mac detects the drop as well.

Teedeechian:
So what was the estimate amount spent to install everything and will the little sunshine during raining season be sufficient?

3/4 of a mil.
I plan to add 2 s soon to make 4. (1200W)

Namzy:

This assumption is also wrong. I explained it. Lemme try explaining it again. Efficiency means size to power ratio. Imagine you have 2 solar s with dimensions 1 meter length by 1 meter width, both have same length and width but one is rated 300w and another is rated 400w. The one rated 400w is more efficient that's it. It has nothing to do with power production. It's just that the company found how to squeeze extra power without increasing the length and width of the 400w s. So given limited roof space, you will be better off installing the 400w since it's the same size as 300w but you gained extra 100w for the same solar dimensions. So if the 300w is rated 18% efficient, the 400w will now be rated about 20 or 22% efficient. Typical solar s are 18% efficient. Manufactures are trying to find ways to increasing it, leading to newer half cut solar s. That's why you can now see a solar with 500w and above with same dimensions as 350w

Oga Namzy, there was little wrong about the assumption- he is correct in this aspect below:

airsaylongcome:

No, I don't think that a 300W Solar is generating 23% of 300W. My understanding is that is is generating 23% of the total solar energy it receives

.

Funnily your post actually confirms he was correct. The fact remains that if both the 300W and 400W s are exactly the same physical size and are able to fill/occupy the same exact physical space, they both receive the same amount of energy here (sunlight/irradiation) by default, however one (the 400w), is able to convert and produce more power than the other, for reasons we don't need to delve in. Simply put, if they were car engines, we poured 50 liters in both of them while one produced more power than the other; however the fact remains we still poured the same amount of fuel in both of them but one did more with it. Probably not the best analogy but the easiest I could use here.

You are however 100% right in your explanations to him and to to how the concept of efficiency should be looked at.

Gmekx:


Good one

Bro, GBM batteries are around 30k.

85k could have gotten you a way better battery.

I like that you fixed everything yourself. Kudos

What better battery can I get for 85k?

Lasthero it's been months now, how far with battery? Has there been any sign of fault?

JC2021:
Lasthero it's been months now, how far with battery? Has there been any sign of fault?

No fault yet.
I optimised the usage mostly during the day when the sun is at the peak and reduce the loads to just lights and DC fan at nights when there is no nepa light.

My usage hasn't fall beyond 60% even when I power my dc fan and bulbs only till next morning.

So far, the performance is still same

1 and half month usage update.

Almost same capacity like when I got it new.
Just like I said on first page, I do my heavy tasks in the morning and afternoons and also put on my fridge during this period when it's sunny to optimize the solar power because battery discharge is lower at this period. While from evening, I only use my dc fan, bulbs and watch TV till late night and I will still have 60-80% left before night.

And when I want to sleep, I switch off all appliance and leave only dc fan and bulbs on which takes me till late midnight (around 2-3am) when nepa brings light.

The image below is from today's usage.


I had 60% left before this morning. It started charging from around 7am and I let the it charge till around 10:30am to the 80% mark before I start using for the day. My dc fan and laptop have been on and plugged from 10:30am till now and the charging indicator is still on the 100% mark

I will give further updates at 3 months usage

that you should only discharge 50% of your gel battery.

vibratingpenis:


Your battery is rated at 180AH right?
Meaning that it will give you 180 Amps in 1 hour.
Let me run through your load details again.

Led tv 3A

Gotv 1A

Dc standing fan 2A

Laptop 2.3A

Table fridge is 45w; 45 watts /230 volts = 0.2A ( am trying to come to with how an electric motor will have such low amperage knowing fully well that when electric motors start they draw current that is 10x their rated amperage but let me continue with the information you provided.)

6 energy saving bulbs of 5w; one bulb will be 5/6 = 0.3 watts, current of one will be 0.3/230= 3.6mA and for six is 21.7mA

Phone charger is 2A

Wall fan seems to have same motor as your fridge having a current of 0.2A

So summing all the loads, i didn't add your home theatre and other ones you omitted we will have a total load of 10.7A.

Since your battery is 180AH
The battery should feed 10.7A for 180/10.7 = 16.8 hours
How manage you get only the 8 and 12 hours?

airsaylongcome:


I understand that. Now imagine getting a gen that is 23% efficient. Or a car that is 23% efficient for whatever fuel you put in. That's scandalous. I'm not saying 23% efficiency for solar isn't excellent. I'm saying compared to other sources of energy, 23% returns for input provided is horrible. But at the very least I'm still getting electricity to meet most of my daily energy needs so its okay for me.

23% is the amount of electrical energy a pv wafer can output from a 100% input of solar energy. It has little or nothing to do with the label on the module. And it is very useful since the 100% is purely renewable, free solar energy.

Ps:I didn't read the whole discussion, but just chipped in.

lasthero:
1 and half month usage update.

Almost same capacity like when I got it new.
Just like I said on first page, I do my heavy tasks in the morning and afternoons and also put on my fridge during this period when it's sunny to optimize the solar power because battery discharge is lower at this period. While from evening, I only use my dc fan, bulbs and watch TV till late night and I will still have 60-80% left before night.

And when I want to sleep, I switch off all appliance and leave only dc fan and bulbs on which takes me till late midnight (around 2-3am) when nepa brings light.

The image below is from today's usage.


I had 60% left before this morning. It started charging from around 7am and I let the it charge till around 10:30am to the 80% mark before I start using for the day. My dc fan and laptop have been on and plugged from 10:30am till now and the charging indicator is still on the 100% mark

I will give further updates at 3 months usage

What is the name of this solar inverter and how do i buy one?

keeper303:


What is the name of this solar inverter and how do i buy one?

I posted the name and links on page two.

Scroll down and click on 2 from the page list

Garage A s for sell 200w 24v going for 26k

wilmaria14:
Garage A s for sell 200w 24v going for 26k

Are the s mono or poly?

wilmaria14:
Garage A s for sell 200w 24v going for 26k

Is it Grade A s or the name of the is Garage A?

keeper303:


Is it Grade A s or the name of the is Garage A?

grade A sir

Southboy:
Are the s mono or poly?

mono

lasthero:


Jiji. I posted link on page 2

Pls help me with the link to get the solar and inverter battery.. I already bought .

Mustack:


Pls help me with the link to get the solar and inverter battery.. I already bought .

1. You can get on jumia. Just type the battery product you want and capacity. E.g "gbm 200ah"

2. You can also get on jiji. Same search parameter as jumia

3. If you live in Lagos and close to Alaba, you can get them cheaper there because majority of solar equipment dealers are situated in Alaba

lasthero:


1. You can get on jumia. Just type the battery product you want and capacity. E.g "gbm 200ah"

2. You can also get on jiji. Same search parameter as jumia

3. If you live in Lagos and close to Alaba, you can get them cheaper there because majority of solar equipment dealers are situated in Alaba

Please, when using the solar and the battery is full, during daytime, does the battery percentage reduce.

indadi:



Please, when using the solar and the battery is full, during daytime, does the battery percentage reduce.

no

indadi:



Please, when using the solar and the battery is full, during daytime, does the battery percentage reduce.

The charging indicator stops automatically when your battery is fully charged. And it picks up charging again when it detects a discharge

lasthero:



The charging indicator stops automatically when your battery is fully charged. And it picks up charging again when it detects a discharge

Does it power your already installed bulb in the house?

captain2020:


Does it power your already installed bulb in the house?

.

Yes, it does.

My bulbs are energy savings

lasthero:
.

Yes, it does.

My bulbs are energy savings

Please help me list items to buy that will power the following items in my house.

42" TV
Decoder
Home threater
6 energy savings bulb
2 ceiling fans and to charge phone.

Thanks in advance

captain2020:


Please help me list items to buy that will power the following items in my house.

42" TV
Decoder
Home threater
6 energy savings bulb
2 ceiling fans and to charge phone.

Thanks in advance

1,500 - 2kw inverter
200ah battery and above.

If you using solar to charge., 400 to 500w total should do.