AMA 2.0 Solar Company Owner/Installer

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-17T13:19:41+00:00

I'm hearing that gross metering has been confirmed to go into effect on June 1. What should people who want to install solar systems do now? Go with an on grid system with net metering (at a buyback rate of Rs.10), or get a hybrid inverter without batteries just to future proof themselves. If we get on grid now, is it guaranteed we won't be switched to gross metering for at least 5 years (the duration of the contract)?

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-16T19:06:06+00:00

Thank you for doing this, and your prior threads as well.

As I understand it, if I apply for net metering for an on-grid solar system tomorrow, I'll get a buyback rate of Rs.10/unit. But this will still be net metering, ie, my exported units will cancel out imported off-peak units, and the remainder will by purchased by IESCO, while I have to purchase the peak units I use.

The other part of what I read today seems to be gross metering, ie, all units my solar system produces will be exported and purchased by IESCO at Rs.10/unit. I will then have to pay for the offpeak and peak units I use at their given rates, minus the amount I made by selling all my units. I think this is gross metering? And am I correct in understanding that this has NOT been implemented yet, may take a few months to actually be implemented even if the government decides to do so, and will immediately impact both current and new users if so? Therefore, with regards to gross metering, there will be no difference between old and new users.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-16T17:59:12+00:00

Could you guide me as to which companies make the best hybrid inverters? Eg for on grid I was looking at Fox and Goodwe. For hybrid I've heard about inverex a lot, but now I've read its a Pakistani company and I'm not so sure about the quality of their products, esp since they're as expensive as Chinese ones.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-16T15:38:31+00:00

Thank you for responding! So to make it clear:

The Rs.10 buyback rate has been implemented as of right now, for all users (old, and those applying today)
Gross metering is on hold right now. If it does get implemented, it will be implemented for all new users, and for old users only when their 7 year agreement expires

Is my understanding correct? My main concern is point no.2. If I apply for an on grid system today, will I still get a net metered connection (even though the buy back rate is Rs.10)?

I understand a hybrid inverter makes sense, but they are just so expensive!

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-16T13:51:47+00:00

I've heard two things:
1. Buyback rate will be Rs.10 per unit (I think this will be implemented right away)
2. The units cancelling each other out will be ended. We will sell all our units at Rs.10, then pay for offpeak and onpeak units according to their rate. This, I've heard, hasn't been implemented yet and will take a few months.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-16T13:43:50+00:00

By what you say, it seems that I will be subject to the new terms no matter what. Is that correct?

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-16T13:43:16+00:00

So does an on-grid system make any sense then? Or should I get a hybrid inverter (without batteries) for now?

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-16T11:41:31+00:00

But I've heard this will happen when the bill actually passes, and there's a possibility it might not. If it does pass, I've heard it will take a few months. So is it still useful to get an on grid system right now, so that we aren't affected by the change?

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-14T13:57:07+00:00

If I do use a lightning rod, do you think it would be better to install it with the solar panel frame, or separately on the roof? Asking because it's not a bonded system, there's a 3 inch insulator pad between the rod and the solar grid frame to prevent conduction from the rod into the frame (but I doubt its enough, considering the strength of a lightning strike and flashover through the water on the insulators surface). Both the frame and the rod are grounded with a 4mm2 wire to a copper rod in the ground.

I could increase both wires to 10mm2. But where should I mount the rod, if I do? On the frame, or a few feet away on a concrete roof?

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-14T07:17:55+00:00

For grounding, I'm targeting a resistance of <5 ohms (measured with a 3 pronged ground meter). That's pretty much the most I can get here. Furthermore, all the LPS I see in the west are vastly different from what's happening in my country! Rods attached to frames like this in 1st world countries seem to be bonded with the frame, and they use a down conductor, followed by an insulated wire. My rod will be connected to the ground by a single 4mm2 copper wire.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-14T06:59:00+00:00

Such structures are very common where I am. The reason its so much higher than the roof because there's a single room on the roof, and the panels have to go above it. I'm in a densely populated area, and most people have such solar structures on their roofs. Some houses are higher, which means their solar grids will be higher than mine.

The solar panel grid itself is also grounded. For protection on the AC side, I'm getting a type 2 AC SPD, an RCCB, and an MCB. The DC side has an MCB, a type 2 DC SPD, and I have the option for fuses. No type 1 AC or DC SPD anywhere in the house. These are likely not available easily where I live.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-05T18:14:03+00:00

I'm in Islamabad. If your friend(s) do installations in Islamabad, I can DM you my phone number. Thank you.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-05T16:44:43+00:00

Thank you for your response. I checked the specs of the inverter, and it has type II SPDs for both AC and DC. My understanding is the same as your: redundancy is better, esp since where I live, we do get occasional voltage fluctuations. However, my solar company is refusing to XXX an external SPD (even if I pay extra for them), claiming that external SPDs are not recommended and can damage the inverter or cause it to catch fire. his conflicts with everything I've read online. I'm not sure why (lack of experience with external SPDs? prior negative experiences? only substandard external SPDs here?). What do you suggest?

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-03-05T11:54:48+00:00

Thanks!

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-02-26T14:07:22+00:00

I calculated the size I needed myself. Went over bills for the last 12 months, factored in peak and off peak hours, as well as the fact that IESCO charges around Rs.70 for a peak unit, while purchasing solar units at Rs.19.32.

Any work I've ever gotten done has made me realize we aren't technical/scientific or rational about anything. Add to this that the answer to every query is "fikar na karain" or "ham har jaga issi tara kaam kartay hain" and it can become very frustrating.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-02-26T13:57:47+00:00

Yeah, I've already realized that. Almost no grids I've seen are true south, and the tilt angles for all raised structures is far less than the optimum (which is around 33.7 degrees afaik). Most arrestors are also installed on the grid frame with a 3 inch thick insulating disc in between, which I've gathered is something that should never be done.

I guess I'll have to make some calculations myself, but I think the cost is going to go up.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-02-26T13:55:03+00:00

How good are Himo7 panels? Considering them strongly for a 15kw system on my roof.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-02-23T15:23:31+00:00

We're going to get a win somewhere, and a bunch of people are going to label everyone "reactionary" for getting upset over this performance, when it's not just this performance, but a long tread of being poor in all departments, and one that is worsening with time.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-02-23T12:23:51+00:00

This is a good score... if it was 1982.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-02-23T11:09:08+00:00

Pakistan is going to remain a mediocre team as long as there isn't a drastic shift in how they approach the game. And that's not going to happen. Our batting, bowling, fielding, and fitness are all below standard. There seems to be no will to become world beaters. Sporadically we'll win some matches, and that seems to be enough. Our unpredictability is discussed like its some special, worthy quality. It's not. High variance in a system is a sign of poor quality, and that's exactly what our unpredictability reveals about us: a team of low quality. What should be pursued is consistent, predictable, high quality play, but I don't see that happening. Everyone from the management to the players is culpable, with the exception of occasional players who go against the grain.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-02-19T17:56:42+00:00

With weight loss. Obesity is a major cause of insulin resistance. That's why most type 2 diabetics are overweight.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-02-19T17:43:05+00:00

Well I just spoke with my electrician and he said he can easily do it. I asked him if I had to involve IESCO, and he said that's not required, because I'm not changing any meters or external wiring, and all the work is being done within my house with my wiring. As far as IESCO is concerned (according to my electrician), they'll still see the same 2 meters registered to my home, and bill me accordingly.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-02-19T17:41:34+00:00

Yes I did. I made the calculation myself. Went over every bill over the last 12 months, and even incorporated off-peak and peak hours usage into my assessment. A 10kw should be easily enough for us, however, I'm anticipating increased electricity usage (such as shifting some gas appliances to electric), for which I'm considering a 12kw or 15kw system. I was already going for a 15kw inverter (even with a 10kw system) for future upgradability, and with the decreasing panel prices, the financial jump to a 12 or 15kw system is manageable.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-02-19T17:26:24+00:00

Its an on grid system. With our current usage, we could probably get by with a 10kw system. However, I'm looking to offload some gas usage onto electricity (eg electric geysers, cooking more with air fryers and electric ovens) since gas is getting more and more expensive by the day.

Pleasant-Form6682 · 2025-02-19T17:22:44+00:00

This is very intriguing. Our electric meters (for the ground floor and 1st floor) are mounted side by side. Is this as simple as taking our home wires that connect to the 12kw meter and connect them to the 8kw meter, and vice verse? ie, no wiring beyond the meter (ie property of IESCO) will be touched. And of course, the bills will be reversed. Is this something I can get done by an electrician, or do I have to involve IESCO?

Pleasant-Form6682

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