Hybrid Residential Solar System in Hillcrest
In recent times, more homeowners are switching to solar energy to have a reliable energy supply in place to combat loadshedding and keep the lights on. This is something we truly understand and that’s why recently Eagle Eye Solar completed a residential solar installation in Hillcrest, designed specifically to provide reliable backup power for a modern household.
In this case study we are going to provide a detail overview of this recent installation for our client in Hillcrest – starting from the initial site inspection and consultation through to the different types of equipment we used in the installation. This outlines how a carefully planned hybrid solar system can provide dependable electricity supply during loadshedding, reduce this household’s reliance on the national grid and increase overall energy efficiency.
Project Overview
• Location: Hillcrest, Durban
• Property Type: Residential property with a standard tile roof
• Client Goal: Ensure uninterrupted electricity during loadshedding
• System Type: Hybrid solar system
The homeowners were renovating there house and a crucial part of this was installing a residential solar energy system. There main goal was that they needed a system that would keep essential appliances running during loadshedding whilst also helping to reduce their monthly electricity costs. After the initial consultation and evaluating their energy needs and roof layout, we recommended the best approach was to install a hybrid solar system featuring 10 solar panels, an Axil Hybrid inverter and an Axil LiFePO4 battery for reliable backup.
What is a Hybrid Solar System?
A hybrid solar system is really the middle ground when it comes to the different types of solar systems that clients can choose. This type of system combines the benefits of grid-tied and off-grid solar systems by allowing you to still stay connected to the grid and having some form of battery backup installed to combat loadshedding or power outages. During the day, the solar panels generate electricity for immediate use, and any excess energy is stored in battery storage for later use. At night or during periods of high consumption when our client is using lots of energy intensive appliances, the system can draw from the grid as needed. The Axil LiFePO4 battery was chosen for this installation because of its long lifespan and stable performance under various conditions. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are known for their high efficiency and deep cycle durability, making them an ideal choice for residential homes aiming to maintain uninterrupted power during loadshedding events.
System Design & Equipment
The Hillcrest installation included:
• Solar Panels: 10 high-efficiency panels
• Inverter: Axil hybrid inverter
• Battery: Axil LiFePO4 battery
We carefully designed this system to balance three core components which are energy generation, storage and consumption. The 10-panel setup generates power to supplement their current draw from the Eskom grid – helping them to reduce their monthly energy bills by using solar power to power some of their day-to-day activities. The hybrid inverter allows for a smooth transition between solar, battery and grid supply, giving these homeowners the peace of mind during power interruptions.
Challenges & Solutions
Roof Considerations: The home had a standard tile roof, which is often straightforward for panel installation. However, due to the house being situated below the road and with lots of tree coverage it was important to ensure proper panel alignment for maximum exposure.
Loadshedding Requirements: The client’s primary goal was for us to install a solar power system that could provide backup power during power outages – meaning we had to carefully choose the right size battery and inverter to sustain the household during these periods. We started off calculating this by understanding the homes current average monthly usage in kilowatt hours (Kwh) – and then reverse engineering the design of the system to ensure that they could power essential appliances such as their fridge, lighting and other appliances.
Solution: Eagle Eye Solar installed a hybrid solar energy system with careful solar panel placement and orientation with a properly sized Axil LiFePO4 battery. This was the ideal setup for this home, and they are now starting to understand the benefits of solar power.
Installation Process
The installation took a few days, completed by our professional team whilst this family was able to carry on with their day-to-day activities. The process included:
1. Site Survey & Design Approval: We started by visiting this home to understand their current energy consumption, electrical setup and roof type. On the back of this, we then created an ideal system design and made sure the client was happy with the proposal before moving forward with the installation.
2. Panel Installation: Our solar installation team installed 10 solar panels on their tile roof, making sure these were positioned for maximum coverage.
3. Inverter & Battery Installation: Next, we installed the Axil hybrid inverter along with the LiDePO4 battery – allowing this home to store excess energy.
4. Electrical Connections & Testing: We connect everything to your home’s electrical system and run thorough tests to ensure everything is working perfectly.
5. Commissioning & Handover: Finally, we walked through the system with the client, answered any key questions and got the final handover of the system so that they could start enjoying the benefits of solar right away.
Estimated Backup Runtime
Using the Axil LiFePO₄ battery (~5 kWh usable capacity) and assuming a critical load of 2 kW for essential household appliances:
• Optimised backup run time if load essential appliances are minimised to 500w – estimated up to 8-9 hours without fully discharging the battery.
This ensures that key household items remain powered during loadshedding, allowing homeowners to continue working or maintaining other daily routines without disruption.
Results & Benefits
The Hillcrest homeowners can now enjoy the benefits of solar power – thanks to their new hybrid solar energy system installed by a local solar company in Durban.
1. Reliable Backup Power: Protection during loadshedding with this system being able to power key appliances & reducing downtime and interruptions.
2. Reduced Grid Dependence: Less reliance on the national grid meaning this client can save on their monthly electricity bills.
3. Sustainability: Solar energy is a sustainable way to generate electricity meaning this home could reduce their carbon footprint.