Solar 

Solar photovoltaic (PV) is a technology that has been around since the 70’s - effectively you put large glass-looking solar PV panels on your roof at home or at your business that takes the sun’s rays and converts them into electricity. These panels connect up with an inverter, just like the AC adaptors we use to charge our cell phones, TVs or computers, and convert the direct current (DC) into usable alternating current (AC) which we can use to power our home or building.

The simplest and cheapest system is grid-tied; the solar PV system is installed to be tied to the grid or network. When the network goes down during load shedding, so does your solar system.
The next option is called off-grid, which includes batteries for backup power. Here, kWhs generated from your solar system are stored in large battery banks. But what makes this setup so unique is that you act like an island and are completely removed from the grid. It doesn't matter if Eskom is up or load shedding, you run a system that is completely independent. This usually comes with a large upfront cost due to the number of batteries needed as well solar PV panels.
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The last option is called a hybrid system, which combines the best of both a grid-tied and off-grid system. Here, you are still connected to the network and have a number of batteries for backup. When load shedding happens, you can run a number of your appliances for a period of time. This depends on how many batteries you have and how your system is connected.

Installing your own solar system at home or at your business will allow you to save a substantial amount on your current electricity bill, as you will be generating your own electricity supplied directly to you. This also means that you start becoming independent from Eskom or your local municipality, and if you have a large enough battery system included to run all your appliances, you can operate completely off-grid and independently.

Should you decide to install solar at your home, you will save money on your electricity bills as well as avoid rising electricity costs going forward. The savings will be dependent on the type of solar you install as well as associated and supporting solar and municipality by-laws.

1. Solar Panels
Large solar panels are put onto your roof at home or at your business that takes the sun’s rays and converts them into direct-current (DC) electricity

2. Inverter
These panels connect up with an inverter that converts the direct current (DC) into usable alternating current (AC), just like the AC adaptors we use to charge our cell phones, TVs or computers, which we can use to power your home or business.

3. Battery
When you add batteries for energy storage, you will be able to have power even when the grid is down. Alternatively, feed your stored electricity back into the grid to sell to your utility by a process called Net Metering or becoming a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).

4. Utility Grid
The solar system’s inverter connects to your electrical network at your home or business and integrates with your utility’s grid. You get the best of both worlds - electricity from your solar system when the sun is shining and from the grid when you need it, which means you always have electricity.

What kind of solar PV systems can you get?
As the market has grown, a variety of different solar technologies have emerged.

Storage only : Battery Back up A battery only system is an affordable option if solar doesn't make sense for your home. Often called a battery back up system. The grid charges the battery, which stores electricity to be used during peak times or in the event of a power outage. This is a great system if you are in an apartment where one cannot install solar. We have installed many such systems and mainly use a brand of Inverter called Sunsynk as well as installing either a Hubble or Sunsynk Lithium Battery. A 5Kw Sunsynk Inverter with one battery would easily handle load shedding stage  4, powering all the lights, the fridge, wi fi, alarm, pcs and TVs. We teach our customer about the Sunsynk App where you can see all the information at hand. The typical installation price is around R90 000 ‍

Grid-tied solar A grid-tied solar system is the most traditional method of harnessing energy from the sun. Here, you are still connected to the grid while allowing you to supplement your energy needs when the sun is shining. ‍ This solution also helps you save on your electricity bills by feeding in excess energy back into the grid. This is not such a popular choice as one can only benefit when the sun is shining, and no energy is stored. Fine if you want to do the laundry and its a sunny day. Note: These are not Hybrid Inverters and tend to be a less expensive type of Inverter.

Hybrid solar system

Solar system which combines the best of both a grid-tied and off-grid system. Here, you are still connected to the network and have batteries for backup energy storage.

When load shedding happens or the grid goes down for whatever reason, you can run your appliances that are connected to the inverter for a period of time.

This depends on how many batteries are connected. This solution also helps you save on your electricity bills.

Our favorite and most popular with houses.

Even add a generator or a windmill

The cost of your solar PV system is dependent on the size of your home or business, the amount of roof space available and the kind of solar PV system you want (grid-tied, off grid or hybrid). The savings also depend on the cost of electricity based on which municipality provides you with electricity at the moment. In general, solar PV paybacks vary from 3 - 8 years.

The typical solar system is between 3 - 7 kWp in size, which equates to between 8 to 28 solar PV panels. The average consumption of a 300 sqm house typically has a bill of R2,000 per month and a 3 kWp solar PV can save up to R900 per month depending on your current electricity cost and charges from your local municipality.