If you have been considering a move to renewable solar energy, allow us to fill you in on the current photovoltaic panel prices. Many South Africans have already made the switch and, in this brief guide, we will give you a few great reasons why it makes sense to join them.
Beat the rolling blackouts and save money on your energy bills each month with your very own solar energy set-up or battery backup solution. With Alumo Energy, you can rest assured that your renewable energy needs are met with the utmost efficiency. Join us as we jump straight into a few commonly asked questions we get about solar panel prices.
Photovoltaic Panels Prices: How Much Do They Cost In South Africa?
There are quite a few variables that go into the overall cost of installing a solar system in South Africa. Perhaps the most crucial of these is what your current energy requirements are. If you have a larger house with multiple appliances, then a larger solar system with more components will be needed to function effectively. The same applies to the reverse, a smaller property with less energy usage will warrant a smaller solar system.
Luckily, at Alumo Energy, we have a few flexible options that allow for a healthy amount of choice regarding payment. You have the option to purchase your system outright, rent a renewable solar system from us for a small monthly fee, or the expand-as-you-go approach which involves starting small and gradually growing your system over a period of time.
Photovoltaic Panels Prices: How Much Does A 5kW Solar System Cost In South Africa?
For a 5kW solar energy system, you can expect pricing to start at R100,000. Again, there are a few key factors to consider when estimating the total cost of a 5kW system. The most important of these is the price of the essential components of the system your property will need. Meaning certain components are of a higher quality and will set you back more than others. Additionally, if you are wanting a system that will enable you to be less reliant on the traditional energy grid, you will require a larger solar system – naturally, this will end up costing more money.
Solar Panel Prices: How Much Does A 5kW Solar System Cost In South Africa?
In terms of grid reliance, we like to recommend that our customers opt for a 40% off-grid solar energy system. We say this because entirely off-grid solutions actually end up being less cost-effective than one might imagine. Let’s have a quick look at how much you can expect to pay if you also decide to choose this approach to renewable energy:
| Electricity expenditure in rands per month | System size | Approximate cost, including VAT (Jul 2023) |
| Below R2 000 | 3.6kW Inverter, 3.6kW Battery, 4 Panels | R86 000 |
| Between R2 000 and R4 000 | 5kW Inverter, 5kWh Battery, 8 Panels | R 124 000 |
| Between R4 000 and R5 000 | 5kW Inverter, 10kWh Battery, 10 Panels | R 178 000 |
| Between R5 000 and R7 000 | 8.8kW Inverter, 10kWh Battery, 14 Panels | R 209 000 |
| Over R7 000 | The usage needs to be logged for accurate design | In accordance with design |
Photovoltaic Panels Prices: How Much Solar Do I Need For My House?
If you head over to our website, we have an extremely handy calculator that will assist you in figuring this out more precisely. It works based on your current electricity spending per month – the higher this is, the more panels will be required to match your energy needs.
To give you a general idea: if you spend roughly R5000 every month on power, you will likely need sixteen photovoltaic panels along with two batteries. Whereas if you spend R1500 monthly, you’re looking at only six solar panels and one battery. This should help you get a good sense of what to expect in terms of the size of the system you will need for your property.
How Many Panels For A 5kW Inverter?
If you head over to the sizing calculator on our website, you can also calculate this kind of information. A typical photovoltaic panel provides an output of around 405W, which works out to about 0.4kW per panel. So, with some basic calculations, you end up with just over 12 solar panels to receive an output of 5kW. A 5kW system seems to be the go-to size for most medium-sized families and households.
Photovoltaic Panel Prices: Is Solar Cheaper Than Eskom?
Installing and using your own solar energy system does end up being a wiser financial decision than simply using traditional grid power, for a variety of reasons. The cost-effectiveness becomes even more apparent when you look at it from a long-term point of view. It is true that the initial investment is substantial, but ultimately, this is money that will come back to you over time.
Every month, you will save money on your electrical bills, and after a few years, the savings you have accumulated will have covered the cost of the system itself. On top of this, if you compare solar power to some other ways people have been dealing with the rolling blackouts, like diesel generators, there is simply no comparison – solar power is easily the more financially viable choice.
A Few Appliances Considered ‘Essential’ Vs ‘Non-Essentials’
Let’s have a look at some of these devices and home appliances, just to give you a good sense of what you can expect to stay up and running when load shedding comes around.
Essentials
These are low-demand appliances that you will be perfectly capable of running on a smaller solar system. A benefit of running only these sorts of appliances is that battery capacity will last significantly longer during periods when grid power is down. Let’s look at a few examples of essential appliances:
- Televisions
- CCTV or Security Cameras
- Home lighting
- Fridge and Freezer
- Computers
- Microwave
Keep in mind that there are a few appliances that may seem like “essentials”, but ultimately, do not fall into this category. Items like hairdryers, kettles, plug heaters, and washing machines will drain the battery capacity of your inverter quite quickly.
Non-Essentials
These types of devices will warrant a larger, more powerful system to operate during load shedding or periods when the grid power is down. It is important to consider that using high-demand “non-essentials” can surpass the limitations of your battery backup or inverter. With that being said, it is possible to create a solar solution capable of supporting these types of appliances, but it will set you back more money. Let’s have a look at a few examples:
- Oven/Stove
- Floor heating
- Air conditioners
- Geysers
- Pool or water pumps
Well, now you know! It’s best to have a good understanding of what your solar system will be capable of running, that way, there are no unpleasant surprises or misunderstandings.
Does It Make More Sense To Rent Or Own Your System?
If you are considering making the move to solar energy, we are sure this question has crossed your mind. Which is better? Well, renting is a fantastic option for those that would like to start receiving the benefits of a solar system, without the large up-front investment required to fully own it.
After a credit approval process has taken place and everything is in order, the system will be installed, and a rental fee will be due each month. How much money you will save will depend heavily on your electricity usage – typically, the more you normally spend on your power bills, the higher your savings will be with your rental system.
With rental solar systems, it does still belong to Alumo Energy during the course of the rental contract. However, if you choose to, you have the option to purchase it at any point. When it comes to purchasing a system outright, it’s clear that this is the wiser financial decision. We say this because, over the seven-year rental period, you can end up spending close to what the system might have cost you, but not own it. Whereas purchasing it in full allows you to begin making returns on your investment once the savings from the system match the initial investment. At this point, which is usually after around 7-8 years of owning the system (could be as low as 5 years if the user uses most energy during the day), you are simply making positive returns on your investment.
How To Tell If Your Property Is Suited To A Solar System
Let’s have a look at a few different points that might make your household perfect for a solar system. Keep in mind, with Alumo Energy, we are more than capable of making arrangements with almost any space, so there is no need to worry if your property doesn’t align perfectly with the following.
- Amount of Sunlight Exposure – When thinking about the ideal spot for a photovoltaic panel array, it should be a location that receives ample sunlight throughout the course of the day. In the Southern Hemisphere, a north-facing rooftop will help your solar panels collect the most solar energy. If possible, there should be no major obstructions or shading, like trees or buildings.
- Suitable Roof Space – In order to accommodate the number of photovoltaic panels you may need; sufficient roof area is a consideration. This is especially crucial if you plan on purchasing a larger solar system – more panels will require more room. However, if this isn’t possible, a ground-mounted set-up is also entirely possible.
- Structural Integrity – Whilst it is true that solar panels are surprisingly lightweight, the structural integrity and strength of your roof are factors. Our professional teams will conduct an inspection before any installation begins.
- Type of Roof – Thatch and Slate roof types are not suitable for solar installations
At Alumo Energy, our expert teams have tackled many challenging installations over the years, and there are very few properties that cannot accommodate a solar system. If you have any questions about the process, don’t hesitate to contact a friendly member of our team and they will happily assist you.
Conclusion: Why Alumo Energy?
We have been operating in the renewable energy industry for a number of years, and in that time, we’ve helped more than 4000 people make the switch to solar power. We believe that we’ve just scratched the surface of what can be accomplished in the industry, and we are passionate about helping South Africans understand the limitless potential of solar energy.
We source our high-tech components from local and international suppliers in an attempt to create the ultimate solar solutions for our customers. With us, you be assured that no stone is left unturned, and our dedication to intelligent energy and sustainability is unmatched. So, why not join the renewable energy revolution today? It truly has never been easier to do so.