Demand for solar PV solutions is outstripping supply as South African homes and businesses look to escape the impact of Eskom’s debilitating electricity tariff increases and power outages due to load shedding and municipal infrastructure failures.
Before you rush into purchasing a solar solution, you need to take a considered and long-term view of how to get yourself as close to grid independence as possible, for the long term. Any money spent on an unsuitable and poor-quality back-up solution – both in terms of equipment and installation – detracts from your ultimate objective of greater grid-independence and self-sufficiency. Don’t be lured into the many cheap solutions that are flooding the market, punted by drop-and-go shippers and unqualified installers who offer no back-up or support, and even less in terms of warranties on their products.
If you want to take a step-by-step approach to greater grid independence, it is important to start with a scalable, quality solar PV hybrid solution that takes care of your immediate needs, and allows you to scale up in future to self-generation by adding solar panels and additional battery storage if needed and as budget allows.
The big caveat here is that not all inverters and batteries offer this scalable functionality, so it’s essential to work with a renewable energy partner who is experienced and qualified in this field and understands and works with your medium and long-term objectives.
The right size inverter, battery and panels is determined by doing an energy audit and monitoring of your electricity usage as well as peak loads (the most energy you draw at any one time). Don’t accept a quote or system design without doing the proper groundwork.
90% Off grid versus 100% off-grid?
It’s important to understand the system design and temper expectations with going fully off grid. A system that takes care of 80-90% of your electricity needs is the best option from a financial perspective – with a connection to the grid to recharge the batteries during cloudy/rainy weather.
The last 10% to get entirely off the grid can prove very costly. An entirely off-grid system would need to be sized at least three times larger than a grid-tied system that uses Eskom/council as a backup when there is extended inclement weather. While adding a generator can charge up batteries, this comes with the ongoing costs of fuel, system maintenance and emissions.
Track record and technical expertise matters!
Given the strategic importance of the decision you are making with regards to your electricity cost, supply and safety, as well as the quantum of your financial investment and expected ROI, work with a credible, qualified and accredited renewable energy partner that will be around for back-up, support and ongoing consultation over the lifespan of your system – that’s a good 20-25 years.
Far too many consumers are finding out that the result of going with cheap systems and questionable installers is poor system performance, outright failures of battery systems and a vicious cycle of constant ‘call backs’ and maintenance requirements – until the original installer simply does not come back to fix their shoddy work or goes belly-up, leaving you holding the can. In some of the worst cases, these fly-by-nights have disappeared with deposits, and the installations are an immediate fire and electrical risk to lives and properties.
The journey to greater grid independence is a big and important step and you need to be sure that the steps you take today are right for your needs down the line. The proper installation and management of a solar PV system is a complex undertaking that requires a deep understanding and experience of the various technologies on the market, that are suited to the specific circumstances of every client and site.
Visit our website at https://www.oneenergy.co.za/ and download our comprehensive checklist of all the considerations you should be looking at and the important questions to ask of any prospective solar installer.
