According to the COCT brochure on solar connection systems for of grid systems - no geysers are to be connected to PV system and should remain on the electrical supply to Eskom, what if i have a 1 kw element, does this still apply?
Sorry if this has been asked before, as i could not find any on search.
Have you contacted COCT to find out ?
There is nothing stopping you from connecting the geyser to your PV system, it has more to do with the amount of energy the element requires. Most geysers are supplied with a 3kW element.
If you have a 5kW system, then more two thirds of the inverter is taken out by the geyser element, and really only leaves you about 1kW left for your loads, as you do not want to run your inverter at full load for long periods of time. It just makes no sense. However if you have a 1kW element then it allows at least a safe 3kW for your normal loads during the day.
This is one reason why many go for the 8kW inverter, to accommodate the 3kW element.
Most people do not understand that the geyser is a reservoir of energy, the fact that you can heat water in one hour because of the 3kW element is no different to having 3 hours for the same temperature with a 1kW element. It all has to do with how fast you want the water heated.
I on the other hand advocate to have a separate 1.5kW PV system directly connected to the geyser, and run it as a separate system to the main system. So effectively have your 5kW inverter and a separate PV converter for your geyser with your standard 3kW element. Running on PV would be similar to running a 1 or 1.5kW element during the day, and setting the temperature to 60°C would mean that it has the whole day to erach this temperature. On the off chance you require more hot water, then over ride it to Mains and you have 20°C over and above the starting temperature in 1 hour. Best of both worlds.
I do supply a system for this application. Currently my websites are down.Herewith a brochure
Useda Sun Brochure.pdf
Victor - Knowledge is a blessing or a curse, your current circumstances make you decide!
Solar pumping, Solar Geyser & Solar Security lighting solutions - www.microsolve.co.za
The question is not whether or not the PV system can handle the load or not, is it a COCT requirement ?
It couls have something to do with the control device to be installed in your DB to switch off heavy loads, like the old ripple relys they used to switch off your geyser back in the old days.
This must be it - i have a ripple relay - i am not contacting COCT , let sleeping dogs lie
Thanks all
The problem with having a ripple relay on the inverter essential side is that it will not operate correctly possibly to your determent.
If your grid is on an a signal is sent out to switch off the ripple , it will more than likely switch off - If for some reason your inverter output is disconnected from grid when the on signal is sent out it will not go back on and will remain off until the next on signal is sent out
We have seen it happen where people switch off the geyser D/pole at the DB and miss on signals
Thanks
The Geyser is on a Zellweger ripple relay and is only operated to switch the geyser- not the supply, but you could disconnect the relay and yes it switches off , only the geyser- so disconnect the geyser from it, and all works well - but i left it on and rewired so that the geyser stays on the essential side - to be legal
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