05 Jun
Stories

World Environment Day 2019

Sonop Solar are wearing masks at work today to create awareness around air pollutions.
 
Nine out of ten people worldwide breathe polluted air and it’s time we take action.
Today on the 5th June 2019 #WorldEnvironmentDay we at Sonop Solar are as always in the front lines of the battle for cleaner and greener living.
 
Since 2014 Sonop Solar have been providing cleaner greener energy country wide while creating jobs in an environment that runs on green energy.
 
What are you going to do today to #BeatAirPollution ?
 
Join the #WorldEnviromentDay challenge and create awareness around air pollution with UN Environment.
 
#BeatAirPollution on #WorldEnvironmentDay
 
Sonop Solar, we are the change you want to see in the world.
 
If would like your office to run on cleaner energy feel free to contact at info@sonopsolar.co.za or browse around on the website: www.sonopsolar.co.za
13 May
Stories

CLOSED – Accounting position in Sonop Solar

CLOSED – Accounting position in Sonop Solar

Duties of the accountant will include but is not limit to:

Fully in charge to maintain entire organization’s books and recommend and implant change, systems and personal where and if needed:

  • Be able to use bookkeeping software (Sage one accounting and Payroll) , spreadsheets, and databases.
  • Enter (post) financial transactions into the appropriate computer software
  • Receive and record cash, checks, and vouchers
  • Put costs (debits) and income (credits) into the software, assigning each to an appropriate account
  • Produce reports, such as balance sheets (costs compared with income), income statements, and totals by account
  • Check for accuracy in figures, postings, and reports
  • Reconcile or note and report any differences they find in the records
  • The records that bookkeeping that include expenditures (money spent), receipts (money that comes in), accounts payable (bills to be paid), accounts receivable (invoices, or what other people owe the organization), and profit and loss (a report that shows the organization’s financial health).
  • Payroll, UIF and VAT calculations and submit.
  • Work independently.
  • Prepares monthly statements by collecting data; analyzing and investigating variances; summarizing data, information, and trends, if needed.
  • Prepares state quarterly and annual statements by assembling data for internal use if needed.
  • Complies with state and federal tax filing requirements by studying regulations; adhering to requirements; advising management on required actions; calculating estimated tax payments; assembling data for monthly tax and annual tax filings if needed.
  • Responds to financial inquiries by gathering, analyzing, summarizing, and interpreting data.
  • Provides financial advice by studying operational issues; applying financial principles and practices; developing recommendations.
  • Prepares special reports by studying variances; preparing budgets; developing forecasts.

 

Salary increases on an annually basis according to regulations or increase on Companies discretion as responsibility increases and financially able.

Working hours: 08:00 – 12:00 ;  13:00 -17:00 , Monday to Thursday.

08:00 – 12:00:  13:00 – 16:00 Friday

Overtime rate – 1.5 and holiday’s rate – 2.

Annual leave is approximately every year from the 16th December to the 10th January.

Starting Salary : Base

Starting Date: Immediate

Closing Date: End May 2019

 

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any enquiries or an offer.

Sen your one page CV through to :

info@sonopsolar.co.za

 

09 May
Stories

Preparing and spacing a backplate for installations.

Preparations for installation in progress.

In some lines of work it’s a good thing if your a perfectionist, Sonop Solar is one of them.

Shipping Solar products countrywide and giving technical advice on these maybe how you know us, but installations and working with our hands is our favourite!

Here one of our installers is working on sizing and spacing a backplate for a installation.

It’s not only about putting the units together on one board, but also about creating a beautiful picture to look at.

When it can’t look good, it can always still be neat and do a damn good job in creating a greener environment.

Visit the online store to place your order:

www.sonopsolar.co.za/shop/
or
Contact us if you need a installation in the Western or Northern Cape.

Types of installation options available:
1. Grid-Tie System
2. Off-Grid System
3. Hybrid System
4. Battery Backup
5. Solar Pump System
6. Upgrades & Repairs

Contact details:
info@sonopsolar.co.za / 022 001 0049

05 Feb
Specials, Stories

How to wash your Solar panels.

How to wash your Solar panels.

Sonop Solar really believes that to install a solar PV Module system is just the beginning. It is in taking care of the solar PV module renewable system that most problems occur. Maintaining the batteries, keeping the inverters ventelised and especially keeping the PV modules/ Solar panels clean can sometimes be a problem to our client or the easiest thing to neglect. This is why Sonop Solar will like to give a a few tips on how to clean or wash your solar panel.

Below is a few things to help you at least clean your solar panels and keep them in a good shape.

How to wash your Solar PV Module:

You do not need any special equipment to wash or clean solar panels, just elbow grease, a duster, two clean cloths, a broom  and the knowledge not to step on the panels.

  • Use a duster to dust most of the dust off. ( Take care not to step on the solar panels and rather call a professional for assistance if your panels are on your roof)
  • If there is still a lost of dust, mix luke warm water with dishwashing liquid to wipe  it off. With water restrictions it is wise to put the water in a spray bottle to use less water on a larger surface
  • If the solar panels /PV Modules has hard to remove filth on them use a broom with soft brushes to wash it of mixed with the above luke warm water.
  • Take a clean cloth with clean water and wipe /wash ascess soap water from panel to ensure no soapy residue remains.

We strive to give every client a easy to understand manual to take care of their systems after every installation. We believe if the client takes care of their system, the system will take of them.This manual contains suggestions for the custom Solar PV Module system installed at the client or project..

We advise to service the your system at least once a year by a professional to ensure all the programs are running up to date and all the systems components are in a healthy environment and working as effect as they possibly can.

Contact Sonop Solar for more information on taking care of your PV Module Solar System or to book a maintenance check up.

24 Oct
Stories

Sonop Solar knows the ways to finance your solar system

Sonop Solar knows the ways to finance your solar system

Don’t stress about the costs of an Solar System.
Sonop Solar has a financing solution for your renewable energy project.

Whether you need financing for a

  • Rural, 
  • Agricultural,
  •  Residential or 
  •  Commercial 

solar system, Sonop Solar has got a solution for that too.

Get in contact with Sonop Solar for a financing solution for a solar system by contacting us:

Mail: info@sonopsolar.co.za
Number: 022 001 0049

10 Oct
Stories

Hybrid Storage System with a Freedom Won LIFePO4 Lithium Ion Battery.

Hybrid Storage System with a Freedom Won LIFePO4 Lithium Ion Battery

 

Sonop Solar installed a Hybrid ESS System with 4.2kw PV Power, charging a 15kw Lithium battery with a Victron Smart Solar MPPT.

This is Hybrid ESS(Energy storage system) system consists out of an:

This Hybrid system is used for daily running the household and charging of batteries.

The Property is running of the batteries when solar is not available anymore.

When battery reaches a certain SOC(State of Charge) loads are bypassed to the grid again.

For more information on installation contact Sonop Solar directly at: 022 001 0049 or send an mail to info@sonopsolar.co.za

To find out about prices and product visit the online shop and start shopping: www.sonopsolar.co.za/shop/

03 Oct
Stories

Solar Power, Sun Energy or Renewable Energy for your home.

Solar Power, Sun Energy or Renewable Energy for your home.

Whether you call it solar power, sun energy or renewable energy. We know the only thing you really care about is to have something that works for your home.

Sonop Solar can help you step by step with this process of understanding the green world that you want to enter.

The different Solar Energy systems.

  1. Grid-Tie System
  2. Off-Grid System
  3. Hybrid System
  4. Battery Backup System
  5. Solar Pump System

 

Grid-Tie System:

Grid-Tie Systems (1.5 kW – 1 MW)

This is a system where you are connected to the grid. DC power from the PV modules is converted by the grid-tied inverter to AC power to feed your consumption during the day and feed excess power back into the grid. There are no batteries involved – the utility is the battery. So when the utility is off, your system is also off. This system offers massive savings on your electricity bill. Batteries can be connected at a later stage with an additional inverter.

Example: Average house uses 1000 units per month

1000 units ÷ 30 days ÷ 5.5 sun hours = 6.06 kW/h

6 kW grid-tie inverters

24 x 255 W polycrystalline solar panels

Railings, cable, connectors, breakers, fuses, etc.

Stand Alone System / Off-Grid System

If you are living in a remote area where you are not connected to the main electricity grid or want to be 100% independent in your power use, installing an off-grid solar power system for your electricity needs could be the best solution.

If you decide to go off grid, you will need solar panels, a charge controller, an inverter and batteries where you can store excess solar electricity. These batteries will supply you with energy even when there is no sunshine. The sun shining onto your solar panels will generate DC (direct current) electricity, which is fed into a regulator. Once your batteries are charged, you can run your electrical appliances directly off the batteries or route the direct current through an inverter which converts the electricity and will let you run all your standard household appliances.

Example: 5 kVA Stand-alone system

5 kVA inverter/charger

100 Amp charge controller

12 x 255 W polycrystalline solar panels

24 x 1660 Ah 2 V batteries

Combiner box, fuses, breakers, cable, railings, connectors.

Backup power : 40 kW @ 4kW = 10 hours

Hybrid System

Hybrid solar systems combine the best from grid-tied and off-grid solar systems. These systems can either be described as off-grid solar with utility backup power, or grid-tied solar with extra battery storage.

Hybrid non-grid feed in, which is for backup and self-consumption, are connected to the PV modules, utility or generator, batteries and to the load. There is no need for a charge controller/regulator.

Example: 5 kVA

5 kVA hybrid inverter

12 x 255 W polycrystalline solar panels

12 x 260 Ah 12 V batteries

Combiner box, railings, fuses, breakers, cable, connectors, etc.

Backup power : 18.7 kW @ 4 kW = 4.5 hours

Battery Backup/UPS

We have UPS or backup solutions for when the utility fails. When the utility fails the UPS changes over automatic within milliseconds. The inverter is sized by your load you want to use and the batteries are sized to the backup time you want when the utility fails.

Example: 5 kVA (4000 W) load for 3 hours backup

Inverter/charger 5 kVA

8 x 12 v 260 Ah batteries

Cable, breakers, etc.

12 480 kW/h ÷ 4000 W = 3.1 hours backup @ 50% depth of discharge

Solar Pump System

This pumping solution is used where there is no utility and is too expensive to get the utility on the site. A normal existing 230 V or 380 V pump can be used for pumping. A solar pump controller is used to convert the DC, of the solar panels, to 230 V or 380 V AC. The system runs only during normal sun hours. Applications from 0.75 kW – 250 kW can be used. The PV modules for this system is sized 1.8 – 2 times the size of the motor. Your pumping cost will be zero for 25 years.

Example: 11 kW pump + motor

11 kW solar pump controller (solar VSD)

86 x 255 W polycrystalline solar panels

Railings, cable, connectors, etc.

And your pump is running for FREE!

Now that you understand the basic systems you can contact Sonop Solar to help you with your home solutions.

Going Green is going to be fun!

01 Oct
Stories

How an Inverter works in layman’s terms.

How an Inverter works in layman’s terms and one of the reason behind System “problems”.

Before reading further ask yourself – how many times have you called an IT guy to help you or your business with a computer related problem?
Keep in mind that Solar Energy works with the same ever changing technology, so chances are you might have to call support for software issues as well for you solar related products.
So here we go…

Lets try to explain an inverter in an easy way:

Suppose you have a battery in a flashlight and the switch is closed so DC flows around the circuit, always in the same direction, like a race car around a track. Now what if you take the battery out and turn it around. Assuming it fits the other way, it’ll almost certainly still power the flashlight and you won’t notice any difference in the light you get—but the electric current will actually be flowing the opposite way. Suppose you had lightning-fast hands and were deft enough to keep reversing the battery 50–60 times a second. You’d then be a kind of mechanical inverter, turning the battery’s DC power into AC at a frequency of 50–60 hertz.
Of course the kind of inverters you buy in electrical / Solar stores don’t work quite this way, though some are indeed mechanical: they use electromagnetic switches that flick on and off at high speed to reverse the current direction.
Inverters like this often produce what’s known as a square-wave output: the current is either flowing one way or the opposite way or it’s instantly swapping over between the two states.
This above is a short and easy version of how an inverter works in layman’s terms, but to try and explain the different Solar ( DC to AC) inverter with its technology is like trying to explain how a computer works to your great grandmother.
With that said, we at Sonop Solar know it is time to start educating our clients.

So to the first step in inverters educations:

Inverters work with programs / software, like an computer work with programs and software, these programs or software sometimes needs upgrades or ‘tweaks’ and this is a major reason behind most System installations not working immediately or failing after a while .
It can take seconds, minutes to weeks sometimes to get the programs between component to communicate or work.
The above is also the reason that we at Sonop Solar sometimes would recommend certain products above other, because of the version of software and capability of upgrading that software easy and efficient as well as get support.
Note that the product support team available could be the reason behind putting a 10 k more down for a product. So that when the installer or client has a problem that there is a team ready to give accurate and immediate support and solve the problem as soon as possible.
Technology is an ever changing ball game and it would be unfair to expect everyone to always understand.
Please let us know what questions you have by sending us an email to info@sonopsolar.co.za
01 Oct
Stories

Small off Grid System for mountain cottage in the Cederberg.

Sonop Solar installed a small Off Grid System in the Cederberg.

System Specs:

  • PV Power/h : 2.475kwh
  • Total PV Power/day : 12.375kwh
  • Battery Capacity : 11.52kwh
  • Usable battery Power @ 50% DOD : 5.76kwh
This System can be used for the following power consumption if battery are 100% SOC(State of Charge) and not discharge more that 50% DOD(Depth of Discharge):

500w Load @ 50% DOD : 11 Hours
Example: 10 x 10w LED Lights, 1 x Fridge/Freezer 200w, 1 x LED TV, Surround Sound + Router +- 200w

This Off Grid system includes the following:

  • 9 x 275 w PV Modules
  • 1 x 5 String PV Combiner + SPD
  • 1 x Axpert Inverter 48/500 with 80A MPPT
  • 1 x Battery Fuse Disconnect + Fuses
  • 4 x Omni Power 12v 240ah AGM/Gell Batteries
  • 3 x Intercell Connectors 50mm x 360mm
  • 2 x Intercell Connectors 25mm x 360mm
  • 2 x Lead out Cables 25mm x 1500mm
  • 120 x Solar Cable 6mm
  • 1 x AC protection Box
  • 12 x MC4 connectors

Average price for this size off grid system starts from: R 55 000 Excluding vat in Oktober 2018.

For more information visit the online store: www.sonopsolar.co.za

For installation quotations: info@sonopsolar.co.za

27 Sep
Stories

Victron sold online in South Africa at Sonop Solar

Victron sold online at Sonop Solar.

Victron is a professional choice for independent electric power. Sonop Solar offers a wide range of quality renewable energy Victron products online with the best price and quality.

Sonop Solar supplies the following Victron products online: Anti-Islanding Device Single , Anti-Islanding Device Three Phase ,Victron Battery Monitor,Victron Blue Smart Charger with Bluetooth,Victron Bluetooth Smart Dongle VE.Direct, Victron Charge Controller MPPT , PWM, Victron Color Control GX ,Victron EasySolar ,Victron MPPT Control,Victron MPPT SmartSolar ,Victron MultiPlus inverter, Victron Phoenix Off Grid Inverter,Victron Quattro Off Grid Inverter, Victron RS485 to USB ,Victron SmartSolar Pluggable Display,Victron Temperature Sensor,Victron VE.Direct ,Victron Venus GX,Victron Wifi Module Long Range and  Victron Wifi Module Short Range.

Victron offers a wide range of quality renewable energy products designed in the Netherlands. Their products include sinewave inverters, sinewave inverters/chargers, battery chargers, DC/DC converters, transfer switches, battery monitors and more. Victron Energy has a strong, unrivalled reputation for technical innovation, reliability, and build quality. Their products are widely considered to be the professional choice for independent electric power.

You can now remotely monitor Victron Energy equipment all over the world. The Victron Remote Management is a free service provided by Victron Energy.

Sonop Solar supplies the following Victron products online: Anti-Islanding Device Single , Anti-Islanding Device Three Phase ,Victron Battery Monitor,Victron Blue Smart Charger with Bluetooth,Victron Bluetooth Smart Dongle VE.Direct, Victron Charge Controller MPPT , PWM, Victron Color Control GX ,Victron EasySolar ,Victron MPPT Control,Victron MPPT SmartSolar ,Victron MultiPlus inverter, Victron Phoenix Off Grid Inverter,Victron Quattro Off Grid Inverter, Victron RS485 to USB ,Victron SmartSolar Pluggable Display,Victron Temperature Sensor,Victron VE.Direct ,Victron Venus GX,Victron Wifi Module Long Range and  Victron Wifi Module Short Range.

Shop online to order at: www.sonopsolar.co.za

All products can be delivered nationwide.

For more information send us an email to info@sonopsolar.co.za or call at : 022 001 0049