Playlist Content

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  1. On Grid vs Off Grid

  In this video I go through the components that are part of a solar power solution. I explain the differences between On-grid vs. off grid.

  View all my tutorials and videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mjlorton…

  Thanks to Exsolar for the work on the solar installation – http://www.exsolar.co.za/

  Other equipment used or mentioned in this video:

  * Solar panels: Tenesol Total Energy – TE250-60M+ – 250 watt monocrystalline
  * Outback FlexMax 60 MPPT solar charger
  * The solar array will be 2250 watts (9x 250 watt mono crystalline panels)
  * The battery bank will be 8 x 150 Ah lead crystal batteries.
  * A Victron Energy Quattro inverter
  * A Victron Energy Grid tie inverter
  * A Victron Energy battery monitor
  * DC to DC converter
  * Micro inverters
  * Eskom power and cost of energy
  * Reduce energy bill / costs
  * Eskom solar pre-paid electricity / energy meter
  * Renewable energy

  In this series on how to Solar Power Your Home:

  * What is “the Grid” – On Grid vs. Off Grid?
  * What is the best type of solar panel to install?
  * Do I need a battery bank….what battery technology should I use?
  * A look at the different type of inverters?
  * How much solar power do I need – sizing the array?
  * Measuring your energy consumption with energy meters.
  * How to make your home more efficient – CFL, LED lighting, solar geyser,
  heat pumps…and more..
  * Is solar power / energy financially viable in South Africa? How long does it take to pay off?
  * Does power factor play a role in solar generated power.
  * Solar Power for your Home – “Free Electricity”?
  * Can I run my house entirely from solar power?
  * How to Solar Power a Home
  * How to Solar Power a House
  * how to solar power my home

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  2. How to save energy / electricity for solar power

  View all my tutorials and videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mjlorton…

  How to make your home more energy efficient ready for solar power.
  Solar geysers, heat pumps, efficient pool pumps, LED lighting…and more…

  In this video we look at energy / electricity consumption of a typical home and have a look at ways to save it. This helps to understand the solar power requirement / size the solar installation.

  * LED / CFL lighting
  * Energy efficient pool pump.
  * LED / flat panel TV vs CRT TV
  * Solar geyser vs heat pump vs electric geyser.
  * How to calculate energy consumption kWh / kilowatt-hour
  * Reduce your electricity bill and save money while getting ready for solar power.
  * kill-o-watt meter
  * kill-a-watt meter
  * Fluke 43b
  * Energy Monitors
  * Energy efficient appliances
  * Energy star
  * Power rating
  * Duty cycle
  * Sky light to save energy
  * Zodiac Flo-Pro pool pump / variable speed pool pump
  * tempering valve / thermostatic valve
  * Geyser wise timer
  * Florescent tube replacement / LED tubes for lighting
  * Life style changes for eco living
  * Energy audit

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  3. How to size your solar power system

  In this video:

  * Losses related to dirt, heat, wiring, inverters, batteries.
  * Calculate the solar power array size, battery bank, inverter sizing.
  * Soon: a closer look at DIY solar panels, solar power components and new technologies.

  Need Solar power measurement kit? 😉
  http://www.tester.co.uk/catalogsearch…

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  4. Off Grid setup, PWM vs MPPT

  In this tutorial we take a look at off grid solar power setup, pulse width modulated vs maximum power point tracking charge controllers (Steca PR1010, Morningstar Sunsaver TrackStar MPPT, Outback FlexMax 60)

  Solar panels and charge controllers: http://astore.amazon.com/m0711-20?nod…

  Outback FLEXmax 60 Specifications / FLEXmax 80 Specifications:
  http://www.outbackpower.com/products/…

  Steca PR specifications:
  http://www.steca.com/index.php?Steca_…

  Morningstar Sunsaver TrackStar MPPT:
  http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/sup…

  MPPT vs PWM Solar charger performance – Part 1 HD:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpL4R…

  MPPT vs PWM Solar Charger – Part 2 Follow-up HD:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLmQk…

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  5. Solar Panel and System Installer selection

  In this video we take a look at the different solar panel types, build quality, thoughts on DIY panels….and things to consider when selecting a solar system installer.
  http://www.homeplace.co.za/knowhow/10…

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  6. Monitoring devices to measure energy and save money

  I take a look at several ways and devices to monitor and measure current, power and energy use / consumption. This can help guide you to save money on electricity or assist with planning and sizing a solar power system.
  I demonstrate how an energy efficient light bulb can save money over time vs an incandescent light bulb.
  The devices used / tested: AmWatt appliance load tester, Kill A Watt P3, Belkin Conserve Insight, Efergy E2 wireless electricity monitor, Efergy Engage Hub Sole, Power Clamp Meter.
  Energy monitor pricing / buy / purchase here:
  http://astore.amazon.com/m0711-20?nod…

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  7. Grid Tie v Micro Inverter v Power Optimizer v Charge Controller

  A discussion about different solar power inverter technologies:
  Grid Tie vs Micro Inverter vs Power Optimizer (DC Optimizers) vs Charge Controller

  Some interesting references to read more about these and how the different manufacturers implement these technologies:

  Micro, String And Central Inverters:
  http://www.energymatters.com.au/renew…

  DC-DC Optimizers: The future of module level power management?
  http://www.altestore.com/blog/2013/05…

  Optimizing optimizers, Tigo vs. SolarEdge:
  http://matter2energy.wordpress.com/20…

  http://www.sma-america.com/en_US/prod…

  http://www.solaredge.us/groups/us/pow…

  http://www.aurora-energy.com/solar-po…

  Use conditions and efficiency measurements for DC optimizers:
  http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy14osti/592…

  Tigo Energy 300W Solar Panel Maximizer DC Optimizer:
  http://www.gogreensolar.com/products/…

  Enphase Envoy Gateway:
  http://enphase.com/eu/files/2012/12/E…

  Enphase M250 Microinverter:
  http://enphase.com/global/files/M250_…

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  8. Grid Tied System - Enphase M250 Microinverters - Part 1

  In this video we take a look at the Grid Tied Solar Power System I have installed to test various solar components.
  Here we look at the installation of the Enphase M250 Microinverters, the Envoy Communication Gateway and the Enlighten Manager Website to monitor solar power performance and production:
  https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/p…

  My system components:
  * SolarWorld 250W Poly, SW 250 Poly
  * SolarWorld 250W Mono, SW 250 Mono Black
  * Renogy 250W Mono, RNG250D Black
  * CanadianSolar 250W Poly, CS6P250P
  * 4 x Enphase M250 Microinverters
  * Envoy Communication Gateway
  * Outback Radian GS4048A Inverter
  * Radian GSLC175-AC-120/240 GSLC load center
  * IronRidge Solar Panel Ground Mount System
  * MATE3 System Display and Controller
  * MidNite Solar Battery Enclosure
  * 4 x MK / Deka Solar 8A31DT AGM 105 AH (20HR) Dual Terminal deep cycle batteries.

  In a future video we’ll investigate the issues with Grid Zero and Microinverters
  Hybrid grid tie with battery backup.

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  9. Grid Tied System - Enphase M250 Microinverters - Part 2

  In this video we take a look at the Grid Tied Solar Power System I have installed to test various solar components.
  Here we look at the installation of the Enphase M250 Microinverters, the Envoy Communication Gateway and the Enlighten Manager Website to monitor solar power performance and production:
  https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/p…

  My system components:
  * SolarWorld 250W Poly, SW 250 Poly
  * SolarWorld 250W Mono, SW 250 Mono Black
  * Renogy 250W Mono, RNG250D Black
  * CanadianSolar 250W Poly, CS6P250P
  * 4 x Enphase M250 Microinverters
  * Envoy Communication Gateway
  * Outback Radian GS4048A Inverter
  * Radian GSLC175-AC-120/240 GSLC load center
  * IronRidge Solar Panel Ground Mount System
  * MATE3 System Display and Controller
  * MidNite Solar Battery Enclosure
  * 4 x MK / Deka Solar 8A31DT AGM 105 AH (20HR) Dual Terminal deep cycle batteries.

  In a future video we’ll investigate the issues with Grid Zero and Microinverters
  Hybrid grid tie with battery backup.