frequently asked
questions.
There are many factors to consider before purchasing a solar power system, and the options may seem overwhelming. We'll talk you through the entire selection and installation process and answer any questions you might have. In the meantime, you'll find a few answers below.
In brief: solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity during the day. An inverter converts the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity to power your lights and appliances.
Additionally, completely self-contained off-grid systems will require one or more batteries to store excess power for use at night and during the winter months.
Most residential systems are grid-tied, however. That means power is drawn from the national power grid once you've depleted your daily solar supply.
There is an initial outlay for the system, of course, but you could see a return on your investment in a little as five to ten years. And we'll work to your budget – the system can be scaled up as your needs increase and more funds become available. Regardless, you should see an immediate reduction in your monthly power bills – up to 60% on average, depending on your location, requirements, and system set-up.
For best results, the roof on your freestanding property should be a good size, north facing, and have a slope angle of around 30 – 45 degrees. Flat roof? Let's take a look at it. If your roof is soundly constructed and can carry the extra weight, an angled frame could possibly be used to raise the panels to the required angle. If there's a solution, we'll find it.
We pride ourselves on being able to come up with a solid, sustainable, solution for most problems, but rest assured that we won't try and sell you a system if we don't believe your home is suitable, or if the costs outweigh any potential benefits.
Once we've agreed on the requirements, measured up, and obtained the necessary components, the average residential installation can typically be undertaken in a couple of days. Of course, as every installation is customised to our customers' individual requirements, some may take a little longer than others.
Naturally, location plays a significant part in determining whether solar is right for you – regions that experience high rainfall and cloudy conditions for lengthy periods will not enjoy the same results as their sunnier counterparts.
But even a less-than-ideal location could still benefit from a solar power system. Get in touch, and we'll assess your location and requirements, and advise you on your options. We certainly won't tempt you to consider a purchase unless we're convinced that you could see some real benefit.
Depending on your set-up, your solar system can be used to cover all your daily requirements: your lights and major appliances, air-conditioning units and pool pumps – for as long as you are drawing energy from the sun.
We include a stand-alone monitoring unit with all our installations to give you an at-a-glance overview of just how much power your individual appliances and lights are drawing, as you use them.
All our solar panels and inverters are covered by flexible performance and durability guarantees ranging from 25 years and up, and require little-to-no ongoing maintenance. For added peace of mind, the installation itself is covered by a free, one-year workmanship guarantee.
In the unlikely event that something does go wrong, please call us. That's what we're here for.
In theory, yes – and this is common practice in many countries. However, South African legislation regarding the supply of power back into the grid hasn't been completely finalised, and for the time being, restrictions apply. A solution is currently being developed and we've been led to believe that the issue will be resolved within the next year or two. In the meantime, we would be happy to advise on the various regional options currently available to you, whilst keeping any future developments in mind.
That's us! Please make use of the form on our Contact Us page, and we'll contact you. Alternatively, give us a call on 0861 777 877 or email us on one of the addresses listed below. We look forward to hearing from you.