The cost of solar energy has plummeted in recent years due to incredible advancements in the technology used and how it’s produced. If we consider this alongside the escalating cost and hassles of Eskom power, “going solar” has become far more feasible than it ever was.
As we attempt to navigate a concerning future of power in South Africa, with load-shedding and the disruptions it causes, many are looking to solar to both reduce the cost of their electricity consumption and avoid the effects of load-shedding. We investigate the reality of this, and what costs you’ll need to consider to make this happen.
How Solar Works
If you’re one of the many South Africans looking to avoid load shedding by installing solar power, it’s important to understand the cost of solar energy powering your home. To best understand this, we need to investigate a solar power’s system components and their functions. There are six major parts to a solar energy system and are as follows:
1. Solar Panel
Solar panels (a.k.a. solar module) are built up from silicon solar cells (photovoltaic cells, which do the actual energy conversion that we know solar power for).
A standard solar panel consists of a layer of these silicon cells (as silicon is a non-metal with conductive properties, it allows the cell to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity), a metal frame, a glass casing, and various wiring connecting the cells. When light interacts with a silicon cell, it causes electrons to be set into motion, initiating a flow of electric current.
Most household solar energy systems are comprised of a number of solar panels, which is called a solar array. You can buy a single panel, but it is usually advisable to consider investing in an array for meaningful output.
2. Panel Mounting
Depending on where your solar energy system is installed, you will need a solar panel mount that can handle the weight of the panels. The majority of roof-based solar panel mounts are built from extruded aluminium rails and are good for almost any terrain/area (i.e. concrete, tiled and sheeted roofs, carports and ground mounting options).
3. Charge Controller
Without a charge controller, your solar energy system will lack stability. The charge controller is a key player in your system, because it ensures that the system isn’t overloaded at any point.
4. Inverter
When your panels collect sunlight, they convert that light into direct current (DC) electricity. Most homes, however, utilize alternating current, or AC, electricity. The inverter converts DC electricity into usable AC (which means that inverters vary widely in size as well as watt-hours and amp output, depending on your need).
5. Battery Bank
A battery bank stores excess electricity generated by your solar array (excess electricity is power that is not utilised by you). The battery bank stores this energy for use either at night, when your panels are no longer producing electricity, or when your load demand exceeds the power generated by your panels. In certain solutions, the inverter, charge controller and battery bank could be contained in one unit instead of being separate components.
6. Utility Meter
Most homeowners in South Africa with solar panels are connected to the power grid even though they say they are “off-grid”. This is referred to as a grid-tied system. Even if you have a backup battery bank, it is advisable to remain tied to the grid in the event of a fault in your system, a lack of adequate sunlight for an extended period or if the load you require to be supported by your solar system alone is too high at a given point in time.
With a grid tied system, in the event of both the solar panel and battery capacity not being sufficient, the system can automatically use energy from the grid to make up the shortfall, meaning that you are never (ever) without power.
Most homes and businesses usually already have utility meters installed.
How to Choose a Solar Solution
Now that we know the elements that go into providing solar power, figuring out how to choose your solar solution isn’t as simple as installing a panel on your roof. You need to think critically about how much power your home or business needs, when you need it, and what budget you have to invest in a solar solution.
This process can be confusing to navigate without an expert at your side, though, which is why we’ve outlined the questions that you should be asking yourself below:
- Do you want to save on your electricity bill?
- Do you want to avoid the inconvenience of load shedding or an unexpected power outage?
- Do you want to become completely energy independent and invest in your future?
Once you’ve answered the above questions, you can then use these answers as a basic blueprint to choosing your required solar solution, as below:
- If the answer is yes to the first question only, a Solar Only Solution is for you.
- If the answer is yes to the second question only, a Battery Solution is for you.
- If the answer is yes to all of the above, a Hybrid Solution (solar & battery) is your choice. A hybrid solution will enable you to save on your electricity bill and allow you to operate normally during load shedding and during unexpected power cuts.
Get in touch with us below to talk about your bespoke solar power solutions and allow us to propose a power plan within your budget.