Rent-to-own* solar energy systems are a reliable option for those looking to minimise dependency on public grid energy. The frequency and high intensity of load-shedding in the past few months (and years) have left many more households looking for affordable backup power systems – but most people are under the impression that investing in a solar solution is exorbitantly expensive and way beyond their budgets.
When it comes to reliable solar energy solutions, Alumo Energy has tailor-made packages that solve the above concern. We offer rent-to-own* solar system options to accommodate you and your bank account. Let Alumo Energy help you get switched on with affordable solar energy systems and start generating renewable energy today.
On top of the load-shedding issues, replacing traditional fossil fuel energy with a renewable resource is one of the best ways to limit your contribution to climate change. The global coronavirus shutdowns also revealed that changing our actions has an immediate impact on the environment. Switching to solar power is an ideal opportunity to reduce carbon emissions and prevent harmful pollution.
Rent-to-own* solar systems have become a popular option for homeowners who want to switch to renewable energy but may not have the upfront capital to purchase a solar panel system outright. By entering into a rental agreement, homeowners can pay a monthly fee to lease the solar panels and eventually own the system outright.
How Does The Rent-To-Own* Solar System Work?
Rent-to-own* solar leasing means you can pay fixed monthly instalments and start reaping the benefits of solar energy immediately. At the end of the lease agreement, you’ll have the option to end the rental agreement, upgrade your system, or buy the system outright. The choice is yours!
Solar panels are a fantastic source of renewable energy, as well as a great way to save a chunk of change on your monthly electric bills. Upfront, however, they are an investment, and if you are thinking about purchasing solar panels or a solar energy system with backup batteries, you may be wondering if they are worth the investment.
With Alumo’s rent-to-own* option it means everyone can have access to a solar system without having to pay large, upfront capital. On top of this, you are guaranteed not only high-quality products but impeccable services as well. Our rent-to-own* solar systems will help you keep the lights on and our reliable crew will make sure that your system is well-maintained and functioning properly throughout the rental agreement. There are many benefits to choosing a rent-to-own* solar system, one of them being how solar panels will definitely increase your home’s value in the long run.Â
How Much Does A Solar Energy System Add To Your Property Value?
Installing backup power equipment like a solar system for your home could increase its value by as much as 8%, and there are several options for South Africans to pay off the costs over time. According to most Estate Agencies, there has been a substantial increase in prospective buyers specifying their need for a home with a backup power solution. With the load-shedding issues, many people obviously have the need and requirement of being able to breeze through load shedding at the forefront of their minds.Â
For example, the need to remain connected to the internet/email or to cook for themselves and their children are one of the first things that a lot of buyers are asking for and installing backup power is one way sellers can make their properties more attractive to prospective buyers.
It, therefore, comes as no surprise that a lot of sellers are interested in trying to find ways that they can put their property ahead of the pack, and a solar solution is certainly one of the best ways to do so.
There is a common misconception in South Africa that backup power solutions are only available for outright purchase. Hence why a rent-to-own* solar system enables homeowners to ‘get ahead of the rest’ by installing a system into their property, without having to pay a large, once-off payment.
Rent-to-own* systems offer consumers an option to pay monthly rental fees with the understanding that they will be able to purchase and own the equipment if they so choose.
To give some more clarity to the options available (and there are many, as it depends on how much power one requires/wants; the size of the property and a few other factors), a client recently installed a rent-to-own* solar system for their home through Alumo Energy.
They selected an intermediate system with a Sunsynk 8.8 kW hybrid inverter, a 5 kWh Freedom Won battery, and 8 x 455W Tallmax solar panels. The inverter is large enough to allow for easy expansion by adding more batteries and panels at a later stage. Buying the system outright would cost R163,000. However, Alumo Energy provides a rent-to-own* option which worked out to R2,500 a month.
This is an excellent option for those who aren’t in a position to pay the full up-front amount, whilst still benefitting in the short and long term with solar energy. The savings on your monthly electricity bill alone make this a worthwhile exercise, coupled with the convenience of being connected and able to still function in load-shedding blackouts. Plus there is the value-add to the worth of the property too that we have discussed above.
Investigate Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Before starting the process of powering your home with solar energy, homeowners should investigate their energy use and consider potential efficiency upgrades. Homeowners should be well aware of their total electricity usage, and consider low-cost and easy-to-implement efficiency measures before choosing the rent-to-own* solar system that suits them best.Â
Explore the following resources to reduce your electricity use:
Home energy audits: A home energy audit can help you understand where your home is potentially losing energy and what steps to take to improve the efficiency of your home.
Appliances and electronics: Use your appliances and electronics more efficiently, or consider investing in highly efficient products that use less output.
Lighting: Switch to energy-efficient lighting, such as LED light bulbs.
Heating and cooling: If you use electricity to heat and cool your home, your heating and cooling needs will significantly affect the amount of solar energy you need. Weatherising your home and heating and cooling efficiently will reduce the amount of electricity you need to produce with solar.
Assessing Your Solar Potential
Before deciding on the best way to use solar electricity at home, assess the potential solar energy that can be produced at your address. Because PV technologies use both direct and scattered sunlight to create electricity, the solar resource across South Africa is ample for home solar electric systems.
However, the amount of power generated by a solar energy system at a particular site depends on how much of the sun’s energy reaches it, and the size of the system itself. For that, you will need to work directly with one of Alumo Energy’s solar installers who can provide an accurate assessment of your solar potential as well as detailed recommendations, estimates, and equipment expertise.
You and the Alumo installer would need to consider the following:
- Nearby trees that may throw shadows over the solar panels. The Alumo Installer will also help evaluate shading, along with the consideration of your own or your neighbour’s trees that are still growing and could shade your system in the potential future.
- The age of your roof and how long until it will need to be replaced. If you expect to need a new roof within the next few years, you may want to consider making that improvement before installing solar energy systems.
- Neighbourhood or Homeowner associations (HOAs) may have restrictions or approval requirements. Some areas now have “solar rights provisions” limiting the ability of HOAs to restrict solar installations or limit solar access. These provisions vary by municipality or Province.
The Bottom Line
If you decide to go ahead with a solar energy system, it has been proven that you are adding significant investments towards your property value. When you consider that in addition to equity, your solar panels also generate electricity and lower your electricity bills, you can see that this is one of the best personal investments you can make.
Rolling blackouts affect everyone’s operations and daily lives. The rent-to-own* solar systems model is the ideal solar financing option for those unable to pay upfront capital. Solar energy is also a useful, reliable way to get out of the stressful roundabout of consistent power outages whilst being kinder to the environment at the same time.
A rent-to-own* solar lease allows customers to avoid the upfront costs of solar equipment and installation. Instead of paying for a solar system outright, the customer can pay a fixed monthly amount for the solar energy system to function on their property. This makes solar more affordable for almost anyone.
A rent-to-own* lease also gives customers the benefits of a professionally managed and maintained system, consistent monitoring and an energy production guarantee. A rent-to-own* solar lease will typically include maintenance and normal repairs, system monitoring, system insurance and a roof penetration warranty.
In Conclusion
When you finance a car through a bank, the bank owns the car. Similarly, Alumo owns the solar system that you rent from us. However, unlike a bank, we take care of maintaining the system to ensure that it operates efficiently throughout the duration of the rental agreement. All you need to do is pay a reasonable monthly fee and benefit from the advantages of using clean energy.
First, get your credit application approved within one business day of submitting it. Next, sign the rental contract electronically from any location without using paper. Once the administrative work is completed, your solar panel system will be installed. Then, you can begin your journey with solar energy by paying a low monthly fee.Â
Alumo Energy’s flexible contracts enable you to purchase your solar energy system at any time during your 7-year agreement. This means that if you have the financial means, you can own the system outright at any point in the process.
*Rent With The Option To Own