My ASEAN Free GPS Map Project

the feed-in-tariff does not allow for battery charging. i think.

hope this helps.

I can be wrong but very much doubt if the design can do away with an intermediate storage. Logically it is not that simplistic in design. The possible fluctuation in power generation from solar cells. It also need to convert the DC from solar to 3 phase AC. A DC to AC3P frequency inverter will be required or there will be serious unbalance load supply. All these control will logically require the presence of an intermediate storage.

the inverters have the circuitry to sync solar ac generated electricity to feed the grid supply. also check this out

http://www.seda.gov.my/

It is a mandatory requirement to sync 3 phase when you lock to go online, otherwise you will get an explosion. That is 101 in power generation.

Irrespective, I am keeping a eye on this subject. May contact an installed site not too far from my house to find out more. Tks.

I just manage to download its course training manual. There is one chapter (7) on Batteries . Unless I am looking at the wrong stuff, I stand to be corrected. That will dash a bit of my hope . Will still be keen to know the cost of ownership. Nothing is mention anywhere in the report. It can make or break the project. Like counting the chickens before it is hatch.

What will be your ultimate aim? (a) To generate enough power for self consumption or (b) Generate power on a large scale for export?

For option (a) if you cover the entire roof of your home ( I assume an average double storey house) with solar panels it is possible to generate enough power to run your TV, refrigerator and some light bulbs at home. I have the tools to calculate the number of solar panels required for a certain amount of load.

For option (b) you will need a bigger surface area (more than the roof of your house) and much more solar panels.
For both (a) and (b) you will need deep discharge solar batteries for storing the power generated. These are expensive investment. They will last for about 6-7 years before replacement. You will also need a single phase inverter (DC -> AC converter) for option (a) and 3 phase inverter for option (b). You also need regular maintenance = clean the solar panels from dust, maintain the wiring, and troubleshoot/replace faulty equipment.

In order to see return on investment, you have to factor in cost of initial investment in equipment, land rental/purchase, maintenance costs (replacement of batteries, faulty solar panels, inverters etc), salaries for technicians, bank loans against the feed in tariff.

Just my two cents worth.

Thanks for the better insight. Due to my extremely low domestic power requirement, I will at this moment assume I plan to sell the surplus base on minimum setup requirement as prescribed.

My question is based on the provided figures by the body. Do the numbers include Cost of ownership. What is the actual cost to keep the system running at optimum condition with minimum downtime? Are preventive maintenance plan provided by the solution providers? And what type of maintenance provided, in specific comprehensive maintenance coverage? I have seen too many fly by night installations and ideas go down the drain within a very short time and to even consider a 10 year IRR , that is high risk. That is more like investment into agriculture, not technology base.

Now that test numbers like 6-7 years for battery life and ? for solar panels... hmmmm I don't feel comfortable.

FYI, for quite some time, I have manage to keep my monthly power consumption well below RM20/- ie I am not required to pay my monthly TNB bills. It feels good to achieve such numbers within a sensible lifestyle. I am not a Greenie but just doing my part to reduce dependence on no renewable resources. My next step is net production. That is why I am interested and keen if viable.

Have a look at this >

The photovoltaic system is currently providing an average of around 68% of the total electricity demand, which includes twenty-four hour air conditioning.

>> http://www.cooltek.org/pv-installation.php

Let us say that we are not greedy, and we want to sell RM50 per day worth of electricity to TNB. In one month we sell 30days*RM50 = RM1500 worth of electricity. The feed in tariff is RM0.32 per kwh. We have to generate RM1500.00/RM0.32 = 4687.5kwh.

Now let us look at array sizing to see how many solar panels we will need. There are many tools spread over the internet. Please look at http://www.sunsoglobal.com/calculator.html
In the month of November we get the lowest sun. The average direct radiation from the sun is 3.7kWh/m2/day. This is also the number of sun hours = 3.7 for KL area.
Put in the numbers and you will find that you need 549 solar panels each rated at 100W. I just checked the price, it is Sing $460.00 per piece (without taxes and import duties). Just do the maths, it will cost Sing$252,540 only to procure the solar panels. You can similarly calculate the costs for batteries and solar regulators and 3ph inverters.

I don't even want to think about it....

Good information... Thanks.

To add to the problem... our friend is in Hamilton, NZ where the Sun doesn't shine as long as in KL .....