Solar is the future, here is how you can join the revolution

Looming power price increases, coupled with the reality that load-shedding is here to stay, means that homeowners and small businesses yet to transition to alternative energy need to start doing their homework. A battery and inverter, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit, a generator or a solar-powered system are the main options for people wanting to be less reliant on Eskom. Generators, however, are becoming less sustainable because of the high cost of fuel and their impact on the environment.

With SA receiving abundant sunshine,solar is the most popular option. In simple terms, this involves capturing the light and heat of the sun, converting it and storing it in batteries. While solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and inverters are relatively costeffective, the batteries needed in a hybrid
system to store your converted energy are more costly.

De Wet Taljaard, the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association’s technical specialist: Solar energy, says a PV system with battery storage will provide nseamless back up power in the event nof load-shedding and will reduce your nelectricity bill. “Despite the upfront investment in a hybrid solar PV system being significantly higher than a diesel generator, the longterm running and maintenance costs are negligible, thus saving homeowners

Most major banks offer loans to finance alternative energy sources and some have partnered with renewable energy suppliers to help cut costs. Some banks expect you to use one of their approved solar suppliers but, in turn, assist with the necessary legal agreements and processes. The most cost-effective option is to apply for a home loan (bond) extension or to access surplus funds in your home loan.

Nedbank believes that the minimal increase to your instalment will be offset by a decrease in your monthly electricity bill. Alternatively, you can get a bank loan (a range of finance solutions is available to assist people who want to transition to solar power); work through an independent financial service provider that focuses on renewable energy, such as GreenFin; or apply for financing from a reputable, accredited supply-andinstallation company.

Rent-to-own is becoming increasingly popular with residential customers. Costs range from R1 500 to R3 000 a month, depending on the system size and contract duration. It is important to do thorough research, phone around for quotes and to ask banks other than your own what they can offer you. If you choose not to work through a bank, remember to check that the company is a registered credit provider.

TIP FOR TENANTS: TPN Credit Bureau warns tenants that once installed, a generator, inverter or solar panels will be considered a fixture and will become the property of the landlord unless a written agreement is in place saying that when the tenant moves, he/she will remove the installation.

FINANCING TIP: You can start with a solar panel or two, an inverter and a battery and nadd extra panels and batteries as your budget allows. However, be sure to tell your installer about your plans, so there are no nproblems down the line.

Don’t get your handy neighbour to install your solar panels because not
complying with the regulations can land you in trouble with your insurer or create a headache when you want to sell your home. De Wet Taljaard of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (Sapia) says homeowners must be aware of the following:

• The equipment installed should be NRS 097-2-1 approved.

• The end-user must get a certificate of compliance from a Department of
Labour-registered electrician or electrical contractor. An as-built report may be required.
• Your system must be registered with the local distribution authority, municipality or Eskom.
• Use reputable service providers with a multi-year, proven track record and
reference base.

“Insist on NRS-approved inverters, SABStested equipment, and Tier 1 solar panels. Use installers with PV certification, such as the PV GreenCard, which is a quality assurance initiative led by Sapia that provides installers with accreditation,” says Taljaard.

The PV GreenCard website simplifies the process of identifying accredited installers in a specific area (www.pvgreencard.co.za/ reg/installers/inst directory-a). “Apply sound judgement when evaluating proposals from contractors and get multiple quotes, with equipment specifications and the labour rate listed,”he says.

Just how much will you have to cough up to finance a hybrid system (solar plus battery storage with grid connection) for a standard three-bedroom household? The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association says costs for a typical hybrid system – with 6kW solar PV panels, 5kW inverter and 10kWh battery storage – can range from R95 000 to R190 000, depending on the quality of solar components used and the labourrelated costs.

It says that costs that are lower than these benchmarks should be treated with scepticism. This is similar to Nedbank’s estimation of between R115000
and R120 000 for a 5kW hybrid solar photovoltaic system, which should be
sufficient for a household that uses around 960kWh a month.