Crossy

Is April Fools still illegal?

Again, it depends how it's been set up. But generally, unless you have some sort of export agreement, it won't go "backwards". Important Note: - At least one member has noted an electronic meter that counts UP when sending energy to the grid. You probably don't want one if you ever actually export.

Only if it's set up that way, if you've not asked for TOU it will just behave as a regular meter.

You get an electronic meter which records the usage at the various times. In t' olden days you had two meters and a time clock which swapped between them or a dual reading meter which had a built-in mechanical clock (with a clockwork backup mechanism in case the juice went off).

Now why didn't I think of that??

The 6kW GTI has 2 x 10S strings of 330W panels. The 5kW hybrid has 2 x 6S strings of 340W panels (room for another 3 panels per string). Right now, the batteries are full (11kWh ish) by about 1PM then we blast up to 8kW into the grid (all the village fans go faster). Leaving alone for now, unless our friends at PEA come along with electronic meters.

Cheers. It's knowing where to look ????

We have two (fairly large) Chihuahuas, the cat sits on Madam's day-bed or the dining table and teases them! Kitty stays just out of reach!

Is that actually quoted anywhere? The spec. seems silent ????

@Bandersnatch are you running panels 2P on any of your PV inputs? The spec. doesn't seem to indicate a maximum PV input current, just voltage and power ????

Meanwhile, it will be ridding your attic space of any annoying critters that have moved in. We have been "adopted" by a pretty little kitty, a little food to keep her happy (not too much or she won't do her job), I've not seen a rat since she moved in. I can't get within 2m of her.

We don't use the Tandoor type pots but Madam does like cooking on charcoal. She has a 2-burner charcoal hob and our barbie uses the stuff. We also do Korean style on the table (the grandkids love it). The "real" charcoal is much easier to start than those ruddy briquettes we used to get in Europe, a bit of kindling and maybe the gas torch gets it going quickly and ready to cook in a few minutes. No need for fluid or an old flip-flop! Once it's going there's little smoke unless fat drips on it. For your pot you may want to get it going in a barbecue-chimney, https://www.lazada.co.th/products/camel-bbq-rapidfire-chimney-starter-large-i3877901819-s14858941106.html (or make one from an old paint can!) then dump into the pot.

It does say it's an "estimate" ????

You could put 9 panels in series east and 9 panels series west then combine those groups in parallel on one MPPT. So long as the strings themselves are the same length you can parallel on one MPPT. I would start out as marking up your drawing with the "ideal" panel combinations then work out how to achieve something similar practically. Note that the inverters don't all have to have identical panels. There's nothing to stop you having a 9S2P on one inverter and a 6S on another if that's how your roof works best ????

If you are using 340W panels then the 6,000W per inverter limit gives you 18 panels per inverter. Arranged as 9S2P you are in the sweet-spot for the MPPT and everyone is happy ???? 60 panels are going to need 4 inverters. Provided you stay with the 18 panel per inverter and 9 panels in series limits then you can decide how to organise your strings for best performance (look for shading issues at either end of the day).

The bill we got on 19th January had the 0.93 FT rate and the reduced standing charge so it's probably a bug.

This ^^^. The sum of you Voc (Open Circuit Voltage) of your panels in series MUST NEVER exceed the maximum input voltage of your MPPT. The better inverters will simply turn themselves off with an error, the not so good (or if you go way over) will turn themselves off with the exit of the Magic Smoke. It's not likely to be an issue here, but the Voc goes up with decreasing temperature (it's specified at 25C), so in places where it gets really chilly you could actually over-volt your MPPT even if the sums say you are OK.

I have no problem with your thoughts ???? Your next problem is how to arrange your strings, if at all possible, avoid shading one or two panels in a string, the total output will get slugged pretty badly. Bypass diodes do help a bit (and most panels have them as standard now) but careful planning is better ???? Any idea which inverters you are going to use? Separate charge-controllers or all-in-one inverters? (or even a combination of the two)

"Coming soon!" But please note that is the Thai definition of "soon"

Back on topic. Let's do a quick and dirty energy use calculation: - 65W for 8 hours is about 520Wh, for a 12V lead-acid at 50% discharge (for decent life) that's 86Ah! So, you're looking at 100Ah deep-cycle battery. To get 520Wh from solar on a decent day here, a 200W panel is where you're looking. Give it a 20A MPPT charge controller. A 200W inverter should do the trick. But beware, your fan is really going to want a pure-sine inverter! The modified sine units tend to make induction motors buzz annoyingly and run hot. It may actually be better / cheaper to find a 12V fan and save on the inverter. EDIT Your current inverter would be fine, but as you say it's a bit watty so it probably has a significant idle-current. You can mitigate that by disconnecting it from the battery when not actually in use. EDIT 2 For the money this little chap could be worth a look https://www.lazada.co.th//products/i3939171830-s15192219015.html

OK an off-topic attempt to de-rail the thread along with a reply have gone walkabout.

I just use the PEA calculator https://eservice.pea.co.th/estimatebill/# to compare what our "real" bill would be for January 22 vs January 23. Jan 22 - 1,172kWh would cost 5,361 Baht, the same usage in Jan 23 would cost 6,515 Baht!! That's up by 21%, scary. A lot of people are really going to hurt!

Does your health insurance cover hernias?

Do be aware that the "big" panels are, in fact, well, big! You're not getting 540W in a panel the size of a 350W ???? They are also 'kin heavy!! Unless you are really tight for space you will likely get more bang-per-buck from the older, smaller (power and size) panels. Do your sums carefully.