Solar Energy Trends for 2020 in South Africa
“What’s Hot and What’s Not in the World of Solar Energy in South Africa”
With so many areas across South Africa experiencing many days of sunshine – almost 2 500 hours of sunshine a year, and with the radiation levels on average between 4.5 and 6.5 kWh/m2 a day, it should be an obvious choice to go the solar energy route.
Solar energy is cost-effective, there are no emissions (unlike non-renewable energy), and it is safe as well as being environmentally friendly.
South Africa’s installed solar energy capacity is growing fast and this is expected to increase in the next couple of years. The solar industry in South Africa and the rest of the continent of Africa is part of a dynamic and burgeoning market.
Many factors need to be considered when it comes to the implementation of solar energy on a grand scale in South Africa. Some of these include the advancement of solar energy technology, the climate crisis, public awareness of climate changes, commodity prices, government policies, the cost of fossil fuels, and more.
What’s Hot and What’s Not in 2020
Solar Battery Prices are Becoming More Affordable in 2020
As the demand for solar increases in 2020, the prices for solar batteries are becoming more affordable for the average business or individual.
Solar power is intermittent as it relies on the rays of the sun. Solar panels produce power when the sun shines. On cloudy or overcast days and at night solar cannot be extracted from the sunrays. Energy is stored in batteries. This then enables the solar system to supply power when it is cloudy or when the sun sets. Batteries, therefore, assist in powering solar energy systems.
There Are Two Main Types of Solar Batteries
The two main types of solar batteries include lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries
Lead-acid batteries are the same kind that power motor cars
The second type of solar battery is a lithium-ion battery which is a more intricate battery, but it lasts longer, requires minimal maintenance, although they usually cost a lot more than lead-acid type batteries. The good news is that the cost of lithium-ion batteries has decreased over time and is now a lot more affordable than before. The downward trend of costs of lithium-ion batteries continues to drop as popularity for solar increases.
The demand for solar is increasing and consumer interesting is growing and is viewed as being a necessity and not a luxury as thousands of utility consumers are left in the dark too often.
