r/SolarPH

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Hi, Electrical engineer here working in solar. To give you a brief explanation on how solar really works, let’s talk about the basics.

Solar power starts with photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight into direct current electricity. This DC power then goes to an inverter, which converts it into alternating current that your home or facility can actually use.

From there, the power either supplies your loads directly, charges a battery storage system if you have one, or gets exported to the grid in a grid tied setup. An Energy Management System can help decide where the power should go depending on demand, battery state of charge, and grid conditions.

1. What are the different types of solar setup

A grid tied system is connected to the utility grid. It does not require batteries in most cases. Solar power is used first for the loads, and any excess is exported to the grid. If solar is not enough, the system pulls power from the grid. This is the most common setup for residential and commercial buildings.

https://preview.redd.it/3pfmzqeerl2h1.png?width=799&format=png&auto=webp&s=7fd811806684f977704e7dec2731cb8d62852cfa

An off-grid system is completely independent from the utility grid. It always requires batteries because all excess solar energy must be stored for use at night or during low sunlight. These systems are commonly used in remote areas where grid access is not available.

https://preview.redd.it/boa3th36rl2h1.png?width=797&format=png&auto=webp&s=4099ca3eb624786537d70dcb48561ca710a1ca38

A hybrid system combines both grid connection and battery storage. It can use solar power first, store excess energy in batteries, and still connect to the grid as backup. It offers more flexibility, better energy security, and can be optimized using an Energy Management System.

https://preview.redd.it/rcaskmzsrl2h1.png?width=798&format=png&auto=webp&s=5b26270857f238d05a59f855d4522efb521f6f78

2. What is the difference between kW, kWp, and kWh

kW or kilowatt
kW is a unit of power. It tells you how much electricity is being used or produced at a specific moment.
Example, a 5 kW load means the equipment is consuming 5 kilowatts right now.

kWp or kilowatt peak
kWp is the maximum rated power output of a solar system under ideal test conditions. It is basically the nameplate capacity of solar panels.
Example, a 10 kWp solar system means the panels can produce up to 10 kilowatts under standard test conditions.

kWh or kilowatt hour
kWh is a unit of energy. It tells you how much electricity is used or produced over time.
Example, if a 1 kW load runs for 1 hour, it consumes 1 kWh of energy.

Real life analogy
kW is like how fast a car is going
kWh is like how far the car travelled
kWp is like the car’s top speed rating under perfect conditions

https://preview.redd.it/tn6i5h3dnl2h1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5eaa4bf3bfd72932858fc868a8c3fb3d7ebcdac8

3. Why does my solar system not reach maximum capacity starting with the panel

What is the rated panel capacity or kWp
Solar panels are rated under Standard Test Conditions, which assumes perfect sunlight of 1000 watts per square meter, panel temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, and no losses. This is where the “maximum” kWp value comes from.

STC

https://preview.redd.it/6cdlgtc2pl2h1.png?width=1204&format=png&auto=webp&s=980104510f9ff17436e05c31540b330d6426d9da

NOCT

https://preview.redd.it/1vv7cibtpl2h1.png?width=1210&format=png&auto=webp&s=f489370fa3af14200e5f1b7f7246a3b1dac25542

Please note:

A solar panel does not usually reach its maximum kWp rating because that value is based on Standard Test Conditions, which assume perfect sunlight, ideal temperature, and no losses. In real world operation, output is reduced by higher panel temperature, varying irradiance throughout the day, suboptimal slope or tilt angle, incorrect orientation relative to the sun path, cloud cover that reduces direct sunlight, shading from nearby objects like trees or buildings, and soiling such as dust, dirt, pollution, or bird droppings that block sunlight from reaching the cells.

hello po, sana may makatulong

gusto ko po mag painstall ng solar set up

budget ko po is 300-350k

ang appliancea ko are

1.5hp at 2.5hp split type inverter

1 refrigarator

1 washing machine (weekly lamg gamitin)

2 efan

yan lang mga heavy appliances ko, the rest minor nlng like.cctv, dehumidifier, mga ilaw

ano po ba mga dapat ko iconsider

one thing for sure HYBRID

ilang kilowats po ba

ilang panel

gaano kalakinh battery

bka may suggested kau na company n nagiinstall

budget friendly but sulit and good sa aftersales

salamat po

from starosa laguna ako

35pcs Bi-facial Canadian Solar 585watts

1pc Deye Inverter 18kw

2pcs GHE 400ah 51.2v Batteries

1m, materials and labor. Overpriced?

Hi, can you judge this quotation given to me?

People kept saying it is hugely overpriced, are they right?

Hybrid Service Package Php874,000+

• 17x PV 550W Panel (Brand: AE Solar, Model: AE580CMD-144BDS) Manufacturer-only warranty 15 years
• 1x Inverter (DEYE Sun-8K) Manufacturer-only warranty 5 years
• 2x Hybrid Battery (Dyness PowerBrick 51.2V/280Ah) Manufacturer-only warranty 5 years

Net Metering Php21,000+
• provision, labor and materials

VAT Php107,000+

Complete mounting set
Breakers, SPD, Wiring, PPEs
Design, Engineering, and Installation
Engineering and Workmanship warranty 1 year

TOTAL Php1M+ (18 months to pay in cheques)

Regular bill namin is mga 1-2k pero 2.5k this month. 2 aircon(isang 24/7 and ung isa is pang gabi lang) and 1 ref. Planning to install another aircon sa sala and estimate ko is magiging 2-4k ang bill ofc with premium na ac para tipid. Mga how much needed kaya? Anyone can give their estimates. Thanks!

Does anyone know what that is and why it's cheap? I can see 6.2kw for 55k and even say plug and play. Is this better if we know electricians and just buy our own panels and ask them to install? Aiming for grid tie set-up.

Hi, just wanna ask if okay bang ipa net metering ung ganitong set-up?
6kw hybrid, 12 x 620 w panels and 314 ah battery.
at noon, full batt na ung battery, but since di man kame malakas sa umaga tlaga asa around 1-2kw lang consumption namin from 12nn-4pm. Tingin nio?

Hello all due to the current situation where in the cost and supply of electricity is becoming too unstable I decided to attend and to look into solar technology. This past May 19 and 20.2026 at the SMX the Solar and Storage convention was held and it was an eye opening. It's my 1st time attending this convention and many people I talked to said that the cost of equipments are going down. I don't have any point of reference so I took their words. It takes a lot to assemble 1 solar setup to power up or generate your own electricity using the sun.

I'm sharing my experience since I want to reach out to others who also have attended the conference and I want to network and create a standard here in the Philippines. We can't allow our politicians to create a standard whose qualification is only able to read and write like BBM who is not even a college graduate or MERALCO who will end up favoring their friends and family.

I also learned about the EPIRA Law which is supposed to reform the electricity industry and consumers are able to choose which power company to buy their electricity to lower your bill. So there are companies that aggregate your consumption and buy at the WESM.

If you're interested let's meet up and exchange ideas. I will be reaching out to suppliers in China.

Hi ask ko lang po ano po naging process nyo sa pag pili ng solar? Ano po magagandang brands (?) kaya? San po kayo nakahanap ng installers niyo?

Planning to get po ung battery type rin. Thank you.

😊

I would assume that the demand for their electricity is not the same as before and will continue to go lower. Will they lower their price since the demand is going away?

They have a monopoly so im not sure how that works with supply and demand.

Hello. I need some advice regarding solar because this is my first time looking into it.

Is it possible to buy solar panels solely for some select appliances only? Namely, the fridge, water dispenser, and the aircon which are almost always turned on. I just want to try and decrease the electric bill without fully committing to solar just yet. But I don't know if that's even possible.

If it is, then what do I need to do? Any help is appreciated.