How much would a solar system cost (ball-park estimate) for a modestly sized home?

[connda]

I don't know where to start, so I'll start here:

How much would a solar system cost (ball-park estimate) for a modestly sized home?

Our primary electricity draws are two 12,000 BTU A/Cs. Other than that, computers, some fans, and lights.  That's about it.  Our electric bill is about 3K/month on average over a full year.

[Yellowtail]

A 10KW system should be okay. 

[novacova]

8 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

A 10KW system should be okay. 

@~300000฿ it will pay for itself after ~8 years as per OP’s 3000฿ a month utility usage.

[Yellowtail]

Thaiwatsadu advertises an "On Grid Solar Rooftop 10 kW 3 Phase" installed for B370K

 

If you only use one AC during the day, I think a 5KW would okay. 

[Yellowtail]

HomePro has a 6KW single phase system installed for $139K

[UWEB]

34 minutes ago, connda said:

I don't know where to start, so I'll start here:

How much would a solar system cost (ball-park estimate) for a modestly sized home?

Our primary electricity draws are two 12,000 BTU A/Cs. Other than that, computers, some fans, and lights.  That's about it.  Our electric bill is about 3K/month on average over a full year.

When is your main consumption, day or night time?

[Yellowtail]

Just now, UWEB said:

When is your main consumption, day or night time?

Apparently, it's two 12,000 BTU A/Cs. Other than that, computers, some fans, and lights.

[UWEB]

6 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Apparently, it's two 12,000 BTU A/Cs. Other than that, computers, some fans, and lights.

Yes I have read the OP comment, but if he is using the AC's at night time only a Solar System will not reduce his Power Bill significantly.

[KhunLA]

What's your highest use (kWh) bill, and will probably be April.   Should be on the bottom of your current bill. and size the system to produce at least that a much.  March April,  most use of kWh.   

 

370k for on grid, is way too much.  Especially since it probably doesn't have a battery.  How's your grid, do you have brown out, or cut offs.  Half decent steady current.  You may want an ESS.

 

Are you home all day, and how much use at night ?  As ESS (battery) is a big part of the cost, and some folks may not even need.   Which ever, get a hybrid inverter, and you can add one later if wanting.

 

If you decide on 10kW inverter, then consider two 5kW inverter, for redundancy.   Something I wish we did, instead of our 8kW inverter.   

 

Where are you located ?   Electric use over night, is minimal for us.  About 7kWh (w/ 1 AC on), so all of ~325 baht X 30 days = 10k baht against the cost of battery and ROI.   You can always add one later.

 

If in N or NE with cooler nights, you don't need AC for a few months at night or some days, if cost is an issue.

[connda]

2 hours ago, UWEB said:

When is your main consumption, day or night time?

Primarily the day - ie, Air Conditioner.  On and off this time of year, Rain Season.  Not normally used during the Cool Season.  On most of the time during the Hot Season.

[connda]

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

How's your grid, do you have brown out, or cut offs. 

Electrical outages this time of year are pretty common but short lived.  During lightening storms and heavy rain we'll lose power for a couple of hours or less. PEA is pretty good at fixing outages.  Electric is pretty steady most of the year.
Yeah, we're home most of the day - retired.
Live in Lamphun province.  We'll use the AC at night during the Hot season.  During the Rainy Season I'll use the AC off & on just to cool the room and then turn on a fan.

"What's your highest use (kWh) bill, and will probably be April.   Should be on the bottom of your current bill. and size the system to produce at least that a much.  March April,  most use of kWh."
Wife is the keeper of the electric bills and I'll have to find out where she keeps them.
704 in May.

[Yellowtail]

5 minutes ago, connda said:

Primarily the day - ie, Air Conditioner.  On and off this time of year, Rain Season.  Not normally used during the Cool Season.  On most of the time during the Hot Season.

Both air conditioners at the same time or only one? 

 

Shower heaters used during the day? 

 

Washing machine that heats water? 

 

Clothes dryer?

 

 

[UWEB]

7 minutes ago, connda said:

Primarily the day - ie, Air Conditioner.  On and off this time of year, Rain Season.  Not normally used during the Cool Season.  On most of the time during the Hot Season.

I would consider to get a 5 to 8 Kwp Hybrid System in this case, you may add later a Battery as prices are still dropping. Additional ones the System is installed and you see the benefit you tend to use more power as it is free.

[connda]

6 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Both air conditioners at the same time or only one? 

 

Shower heaters used during the day? 

 

Washing machine that heats water? 

 

Clothes dryer?

 

 

Usually only one at a time.
Shower heater I guarantee doesn't draw much.  Barely used during the Hot and Rainy season as the water in the pipes are sufficiently warm from thermal heating from the water tank to the house.  We don't take long showers anyway.  
No heaters on the washing machine and no dryer.

[Yellowtail]

3 minutes ago, connda said:

Usually only one at a time.
Shower heater I guarantee doesn't draw much.  Barely used during the Hot and Rainy season as the water in the pipes are sufficiently warm from thermal heating from the water tank to the house.  We don't take long showers anyway.  
No heaters on the washing machine and no dryer.

5KW is plenty. 

 

Are you going to try to install it or do you want turn-key? 

[connda]

4 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

5KW is plenty. 

 

Are you going to try to install it or do you want turn-key? 

Turn-key.

[KannikaP]

17 minutes ago, connda said:

Shower heater I guarantee doesn't draw much.

It probably draws more current than an a/c unit, Shower 3 - 8 kW a/c = 1 kW once started.

[Hummin]

3 hours ago, novacova said:

@~300000฿ it will pay for itself after ~8 years as per OP’s 3000฿ a month utility usage.

Is that including a battery pack managing two aircons running during the night 12 500btu 

 

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

What's your highest use (kWh) bill, and will probably be April.   Should be on the bottom of your current bill. and size the system to produce at least that a much.  March April,  most use of kWh.   

 

370k for on grid, is way too much.  Especially since it probably doesn't have a battery.  How's your grid, do you have brown out, or cut offs.  Half decent steady current.  You may want an ESS.

 

Are you home all day, and how much use at night ?  As ESS (battery) is a big part of the cost, and some folks may not even need.   Which ever, get a hybrid inverter, and you can add one later if wanting.

 

If you decide on 10kW inverter, then consider two 5kW inverter, for redundancy.   Something I wish we did, instead of our 8kW inverter.   

 

Where are you located ?   Electric use over night, is minimal for us.  About 7kWh (w/ 1 AC on), so all of ~325 baht X 30 days = 10k baht against the cost of battery and ROI.   You can always add one later.

 

If in N or NE with cooler nights, you don't need AC for a few months at night or some days, if cost is an issue.

 

How big battery capacity do you need for two whole rainy cloudy days? 

[Yellowtail]

1 minute ago, connda said:

Turn-key.

Have your wife contact at least three contractors and have them all quote. If they charge to quote, pay them. 

 

Make sure they all specify what exactly components and materials are included. 

 

Make sure they all specify the terms and warranty.

 

Post the quotes that you receive and invite comments on price and quality.

 

Settle on what you actually want. 

 

Visit all of their shops. 

 

Invite everyone you still have confidence in to requote, using exactly what you want. Being impressed by their facility is much more important than being impressed by their website. An established business is generally going to be much better for any follow up than a guy with a pickup. 

 

 

[Hummin]

Anyone made a roof you can set for different seasons or follow the sun ?

[Yellowtail]

3 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Anyone made a roof you can set for different seasons or follow the sun ?

I don't think it's critical this close to the equator, I think it's only a couple degree variation through the year. 

 

 

[KhunLA]

21 minutes ago, Hummin said:

How big battery capacity do you need for two whole rainy cloudy days? 

When we first had it installed, Aug 2022, heavy rainy season, and we were being very conservative with AC use and using fan, but still comfy, and 10kWh ESS was more than enough.   When it's that crappy out, also means the temps are nice, so minimal, if an AC use.

 

Unless solid dark overcast & raining, it will still produce electric, and we've yet to have an issue.   A couple days, it did take all day to get the battery back to full.   We always have at least 30% (3kWh) of reserve before starts producing again, next day.  That's with 10kWh ESS, and 8kW inverter.   If having 10kW inverter (or two 5s), then a couple more panels, and it would produce more.   We also have no panels facing East, so 1-2 hrs, after sunrise, not producing much at all.

[Hummin]

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

When we first had it installed, Aug 2022, heavy rainy season, and we were being very conservative with AC use and using fan, but still comfy, and 10kWh ESS was more than enough.   When it's that crappy out, also means the temps are nice, so minimal, if an AC use.

 

Unless solid dark overcast & raining, it will still produce electric, and we've yet to have an issue.   A couple days, it did take all day to get the battery back to full.   We always have at least 30% (3kWh) of reserve before starts producing again, next day.  That's with 10kWh ESS, and 8kW inverter.   If having 10kW inverter (or two 5s), then a couple more panels, and it would produce more.   We also have no panels facing East, so 1-2 hrs, after sunrise, not producing much at all.

I also want to use one aircon 19000 btu for at least 5 hours a day + refill the batteries. 

 

 

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, connda said:

Electrical outages this time of year are pretty common but short lived.  During lightening storms and heavy rain we'll lose power for a couple of hours or less. PEA is pretty good at fixing outages.  Electric is pretty steady most of the year.
Yeah, we're home most of the day - retired.
Live in Lamphun province.  We'll use the AC at night during the Hot season.  During the Rainy Season I'll use the AC off & on just to cool the room and then turn on a fan.

"What's your highest use (kWh) bill, and will probably be April.   Should be on the bottom of your current bill. and size the system to produce at least that a much.  March April,  most use of kWh."
Wife is the keeper of the electric bills and I'll have to find out where she keeps them.
704 in May.

700 kWh in May, did rainy season start late up there.   We used ~650 and we have BEV.  Actually used 577, but out of town for 5 days, so added 15%.   Out of town, also means car came back at 20%.  So that's 35kWh to the car.

 

Unless not in the budget, I'd go 10kW of inverter & 10kWh of ESS, and that should put you 'off grid', as we are, and we use more than you.  If home, March & April can be 1000 kWh months.  We do abuse the AC during the day, and have the BEVs.

 

At least 10kWh of inverter, 5kWh of battery.  Can always add another battery later.   We did, but just for longevity of life, not because we needed over night.  Hindsight, we shouldn't have, as 2 yrs later and the prices dropped quite a bit.  We could have added 15kWh of ESS instead of 10kWh, for much less.

 

I would go heavy on inverter (10 or two 5s) & max out the panels, and worry about how much battery later.   5 might be enough, or you might want 10kWh, after a while.  But definitely a hybrid inverter (s).

 

Our house is well built, insulated block, insulated roof & ceiling, minimal wall exposure to sun.

[KhunLA]

8 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I also want to use one aircon 19000 btu for at least 5 hours a day + refill the batteries.

We use 24k & 13k.  13k almost 24 / 7 (bedroom), and 24k is the main room of house, but only daytime.  Just the 2 of us, and we're in the bedroom after sunset.  Also where the laptops & TV is.

 

Solid 6 hrs of use, as sleep usually around midnight.   Approximately 14 hrs of non production, 1800-0800 hrs

 

Our house is well built, insulated block, insulated roof & ceiling, minimal wall exposure to sun.

[Packer]

One solar aircon.

60,000 THB

Run for free at 16c from sun up to sun down. 

[Muhendis]

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

Both air conditioners at the same time or only one? 

 

Shower heaters used during the day? 

 

Washing machine that heats water? 

 

Clothes dryer?

 

 

Plus    TV + Battery charging + fans + water pumps

 

I do all those and more with an 8kW inverter.

Total cost of bits in the order of 130,000 Baht and that's it for DIY.

If a company does the supply and install, then the total could well be double.

[Hummin]

29 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

We use 24k & 13k.  13k almost 24 / 7 (bedroom), and 24k is the main room of house, but only daytime.  Just the 2 of us, and we're in the bedroom after sunset.  Also where the laptops & TV is.

 

Solid 6 hrs of use, as sleep usually around midnight.   Approximately 14 hrs of non production, 1800-0800 hrs

 

Our house is well built, insulated block, insulated roof & ceiling, minimal wall exposure to sun.

What battery package do you have and price? 

 

I see Huawei 10k lithium battery priced 299k

 

Inverter 70k 

 

Just for a dummy can yiu set up what I need for 10kw 

 

Planning to run 2 x 12500 btu a night 8 hours each room 36m2 but not very well insulated,  and one 19500btu for 5 hours a day. 

 

+ fridges etc freezers etc.

 

Is that enough for completely off grid? We are talking about 550k? 

[Packer]

Our house has good insulation properties. Light A/C usage. Perhaps 7pm to midnight. With another 2 A/C 9-11pm. Computer and TVs used all day.

 

The monthly usages maxes out at 479 units in May. 2200 THB

385 units in April

377 units in March.

 

We'd probably turn on the A/C in the daytime if it's free from solar. We might well run at least one A/C 24/7 if it's free. 

 

I guess a 600KW set up would do?

 

How much for:

 

1. A 600Kw setup with batteries.

2. A 600Kw setup without batteries.

 

Bought and installed? 

[KhunLA]

10 minutes ago, Hummin said:

What battery package do you have and price? 

 

I see Huawei 10k lithium battery priced 299k

 

Inverter 70k 

 

Just for a dummy can yiu set up what I need for 10kw 

 

Planning to run 2 x 12500 btu a night 8 hours,  and one 19500btu for 5 hours a day. 

 

+ fridges etc freezers etc.

 

Is that enough for completely off grid? We are talking about 550k? 

That's some silly prices, and from what I read Huawei is proprietary (inverter & battery)

 

I think the 2 ACs will easily take you pass 10kWh overnight.  What was you March, April, May kWh usage this year ?

 

Ours ESS cost 90k for first 10kWh, with original install, & 95k for the second.  Now we can get 15kWh for 65k, same brand.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1268214-solar-8kw-hybrid-inverter-w10kwh-upgraded-to-20kwh-in-sept-2022-essbattery-not-diy/