Yes, Victron Energy systems come with a GX device (e.g., Cerbo GX or Color Control GX) linked to the Victron VRM portal. This allows for real-time monitoring of solar production, battery state-of-charge, consumption trends, and system alerts via a smartphone app or web interface. This also allows remote firmware updates and system programming. (This does require a reliable Wi-Fi signal nearby for the GX device to connect to).
Yes, Victron inverters accept generator feeds where these are required. The Victron Quattro range of inverter-chargers supports dual AC inputs, allowing for seamless connection to both grid and generator AC sources.24 Settings can be configured to match your usage patterns, and where an ‘auto-start’ generator is used, this can be integrated into the system to start and stop the generator when required.
Unless you go completely off-grid, you will still receive an electricity bill for connection fees to the grid, or for electricity consumed when your solar production is low and batteries are depleted. However, the amount should be significantly less, based on how many electricity units (kWh) the solar system offsets from your usage.
Absolutely. Victron systems are fully scalable. You can add extra battery modules, parallel inverters, or add solar charge controllers for more panels, as your energy needs grow, without18 needing to replace your existing system.
Yes, approval from your local municipality or Eskom is required for any solar system connected to their supply, ie. most grid-connected systems. In Bitou Municipality, a PV Greencard Certified technician (ecoSunergy complies) or an Electrical engineer (PR Engineer) typically handles the necessary paperwork as part of the installation process. The SSEG (Small-Scale Embedded Generation) application process varies by municipality and can take several months, but once approved will also allow grid feed-in (with a bi-directional meter) should you wish to do so.
Yes, Victron systems require proper programming and configuration for optimal performance. While tech-savvy users can learn the system, it is generally recommended that we do the initial programming and maintenance updates. We urge clients to learn daily monitoring and basic settings to manage their power production and consumption for optimal energy independence.
Victron components lend themselves exceptionally well to a modular system that can be built up incrementally. So one can start with a small system to support only certain circuits of the house, and slowly build this up over time in a modular fashion. Another option is to extend one's mortgage to cover the costs of a solar system and often the repayments will be in line with the savings on electricity.
The warranty period is not for the system as a whole, but rather for specified components of the solar system, usually provided by the manufacturer of that item. Victron equipment has a standard 5 year global warranty (upgradable to 10 years on request at purchase), Freedom Won Batteries have a standard 10 year warranty (or 4000 cycles, whichever comes first), and solar panels have a 20-25 year warranty depending on the make. It is advisable to obtain all the relevant documentation relating to warranty periods for the components comprising your system. All our installations carry a 1-year workmanship warranty, over and above any component warranty's. After the first year we recommend utilizing our annual maintenance program to ensure continued safety and optimal performance of your system.
All Victron Energy components typically carry a standard manufacturers warranty of 5 years, which can be extended to 10 years at initial purchase for a small additional cost.
Solar panels generally require minimal maintenance, such as cleaning every 6 months to ensure optimal performance. We recommend an annual check on the main system components, as well as remote monitoring, which enables us to detect aberrant performance issues and address them before they become problems.
Victron Energy offers various support resources, including general resources for common issues, a community knowledge base, downloads for software and documentation, and direct product inquiry support. ecoSunergy installs primarily Victron systems, and together with our partners Specialized Solar Systems, we have the experience of thousands of system installations. We provide support to all our clients and are always willing to provide advice on how to improve on existing installations.
Yes, we have appointed financiers who offer various financing options, including monthly repayments and home-loan extensions.
Most residential solar installations can be completed within 2-5 days, depending on site complexity and size of the system. Roof type is a factor, as well as complexity of the route from the panels to the system.
Every municipality has its own more specific rules around solar installations, most of which have been adopted from the City of Cape Town's rules pertaining to Small Scale Embedded Generators (SSEG). It would be advisable to research the specific requirements in the area that you live. Bitou Municipality now has an online SSEG application platform, and we can advise and assist with these applications.
Yes it is! To live comfortably with no grid supply may require overspecification of some system components (panels and battery) in order to ensure that the system doesn't need too much support during spells of bad weather. It all comes down to how much power is required as to how big the solar system needs to be, and there should always be a backup source of power, usually a generator.
Most houses will have some suitable roof aspects that can be used to mount solar panels. Ideally, panels should be facing due north at approximately 30 degrees elevation, but east and west facing aspects can also be used effectively. Solar panels cannot be mounted on a thatched roof and some roofs are unsuitable for other reasons. In these cases, ground mounting panels or building a bespoke carport with solar palens is always an option.
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