I need some advice on the DIY part, since now selling back to TNB is not worth the ROI, what type of battery should I buy to store and use the solar power generated? Do I need to look at those rechargeable batteries for golf carts and forklifts?

Do you know where to get the lithium ion battery? I mentioned the golf cart and forklifts as I feel that they might be easier to get. Yeah, planned to store outdoors already. Do you know which type has less maintenance. I don't seem them doing maintenance on the golf carts and forklifts.

Thanks for the heads up. How big a size of a battery do I need to power a fridge and a couple of lamps and a few fans? Probably going to need to find some consultant and do the maths. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the advice guys. I wonder if Tesla Wall will be any better if it comes to Malaysia. A super big if.

Would this guy's idea work?

Hackaday Solar

I don't think we can see these technologies as an investment. Malaysia doesn't have the brains enough to explore the potential of alternative energy. But if and when electricity prices soar, then we will have the market for it. But at least we prepare ourselves for it first.

@ozak do you know anyone with the knowledge for that?

Future protection. And since I'm building my house from the ground up, plenty of things I can play around with, rather than having to knock walls or lay cables. All can be pre-built nicely. Not to say I want to go off grid but if disaster struck, I won't be caught without water or power for at least a few days.

For water, I have an underground tank holding 105,000 gallons (?forgot the actual amount) which will be connected to all the flush toilets and also the sprinkler and outside pipes. And another filtered rainwater will probably supply the washing machine.

Now left with this solar power generation and storing in the batteries. Not for a lot of things, maybe the Internet modem, fridge, a couple of lights and a few fans. And some plug points and to one of the TV sets. So not really a huge setup. Too bad the FiT thing had a limited run. If not could have maximise the returns.

At least with FIT we could sell it back to get back our investment and when the time comes, switch it to charging our own batteries. Anyway, that is water under the bridge now, so back to storing in batteries and using it. With the way things are being run in this country, only a matter of time before the electricity increase in price.

One question:

Anyone knows where or who to contact for lithium-ion batteries for solar power. Looking for a 10kw system.

I'm a tree hugger, my place also suffers from annual floods. Since I'm building a new house, might as well place some batteries. Any one knows how to order from Australia?

How safe is Lithium Ion batteries?

I'm going to put them underneath my roof, but it's ventilated. Do I still need other precautions?

What about safety like fire hazard and all that? Oh okay, will keep that in mind regarding the hot weather.

Anyone knows anything about TrinaSolar and Trinahome? I read in the newspapers that they can come and fix it on your house for you to sell back to TNB or how does it work?

Generally speaking, unless you are really a treehugger, solar power is not worth it.

But with the latest news, that could change but even so, I don't think TNB will start paying you for selling them the electricity generated from the solar panels. Most likely scenario is that, without paying anything, your electricity bill will probably get some kind of deduction. How much? Nobody knows.

The ideal scenario is that you can to lease solar panels for your roof, or buy them at a subsidized amount, sell the power you generate to TNB at higher price or higher than the 30 cents they charge you for using electricity, and pocket that money. That is the ideal scenario. But this scenario in Malaysia? Probably not.

True. Panels don't cost that much. But unless you are bungalow, there isn't that much roof space for you to hang your panels. Research from Singapore shows that although we feel that we have sunlight from 8am-5pm, they think the best yield is just 4 hours per day.

But batteries, if you aren't generating to sell back to TNB is a different kettle of fish. In my experience, the whole battery is probably 2/3 of the purchase and installation fee.

Try not to get the pariah ones. I manage to find 355wp.

Dropped by GSparx recently, they still haven't got anything solid for residential and the person in charge isn't forthcoming (probably due to it being still in the discussion stage), but from what I gather, this is how it will work.

Zero upfront cost initially but you will be leasing the whole setup for at least 10 years. Meaning every month you have to pay the lease. As for the extra electricity generated, it seems that TNB/GSparx will 'store' it as credit for you to use at a yet to be determined amount.

IMHO, I think this is how it will go, you pay nothing upfront, the company comes and fix it up. Say you provide RM500 of power back to TNB, minus the lease (say RM450), the balance will be deducted from your monthly electricity bill. Hence maybe that was meant by, "you will see a reduction of 10% from your electricity bill".

If this is the case, then you need to have a roof big enough to cover the lease cost and also to earn some extra credits to cover your monthly bill.

These are all conjectures as they haven't come out with the program yet. I think their policy should be not to install for you if it's less than what you can generate. Or maybe after 10 years the panels belong to you. Have to wait for their deal.

Which brand of solar panels are you using? You are storing it or selling it back to TNB? Which part of Malaysia are you located?

Looks like I need to find a company that will be able to install it for me and see what they say.