6 Things to Consider When Going Solar

Are you looking into installing solar for a more reliable electricity supply? Here are the most important things you need to know about solar in South Africa.

You are not alone if you are considering going off the grid. Eskom is not in a good shape, and load shedding has become part of our daily world. The electricity grid is struggling to handle even its current load, making solar an important option in electricity markets.

Are you tired of price hikes and inferior service? Have your electronic devices been damaged by brown-outs, black-outs, dips, and surges? Going off the power grid might be the solution.

Find out everything you need to know if you are considering installing solar. What power requirements will you need? We explain a bit about solar energy systems.

6 Things to Consider When Going Solar

VAT. When costing your solar system, remember to factor VAT into any prices.
Rate Increases. The annual current electricity rates increase by 15% per annum in South Africa.
Sunlight Hours. South Africa gets an average of 4.5 hours of sunshine hours daily, and up to 9 hours during the summer months.
Rent-to-Own Periods. The average period of rent-to-own solar systems is 60 months.
Brands. Shopping around for the best prices will put you in good stead. Some brands cost more than others.
Sizes. Prices will also vary depending on the size of the system and the brand name.
Complexity. The complexity of solar installation could affect the pricing and ease of installation, too.

How Does a Solar System Work?

Solar panels are installed on the roof of a home or commercial building. Rooftop solar panels collect solar energy for electricity production. DC energy is a product of the converted energy.

Solar electricity is stored in batteries, which is the most common method of solar systems. Alternatively, the energy is fed directly by means of an inverter into the mains. AC electricity is then produced through the conversion of DC electricity by means of an inverter. This AC electricity powers electrical devices in your home.

The 3 Main Types of Solar Power Systems to Choose from

1. Going Completely Off-Grid

Being independent of the grid requires batteries. Solar batteries will enable your solar cells to function effectively. Electricity is stored in the batteries, and you can then access it when you need it.

2. Hybrid Solar Power Systems

A grid interactive solar power system or battery back-up system is similar to an off-grid solar system. The difference is that there is a connection to the power grid. A hybrid solar system is the most popular option for domestic solar systems.

With a hybrid or grid interactive system, you have the freedom of being off the grid, but also have a grid connection. Low-sunshine days are not a problem with this system, and you do not need a large battery bank either.

3. Grid-Tied Systems

With a grid-tied system, you can supplement your electricity. Grid-tied systems do not use any batteries. They work best when you have strong, direct sunlight.

This means there is no back-up system when there is low sunshine. You will also have no power at night. Grid tied systems are especially popular amongst commercial users because power usage is supplemented during peak hours.