The costs behind solar systems

Thursday, 01 February 2024

While the most expensive part of going solar is paying for the equipment, it still only represents 25 percent of the overall expense. Soft costs, or the outlays that installers spend just trying to find you and appeal to you, also contribute a significant percentage.

As with so many things in life, there are some factors you simply can’t control. Fortunately, however, there are a number of ways that you can drive down the costs of your future your solar energy system. The cost of solar is dropping across the country, however the further we go into the doom and gloom of Eskom. The higher the prices will rise due to pure demand. To save, look at investing in solar earlier than a market crisis.

Here’s a breakdown so that you can understand the cost of a solar panel system, plus tips on how you can save money!

Reduce your current power usage.

LED Lights are an essential to begin reducing your power. Buy wisely as many LED are manufactured in cheaper countries such as China and will cost you more money in the long run, although cheaper at the outset. They can cause a fire in your roof or appliance, short your electrics and worse – flicker all the time and ultimately damaging your eyes.

Install a solar geyser or heat pump. It takes about 35% of your monthly electricity bill to heat water and the savings on an energy efficient geyser is about 70%. A solar geyser relies on the sun and will not always ensure hot water, however a heat pump will ensure consistent hot water regardless of sun. Turning your geyser on/off when not in use actually costs you more as your water cools down totally and then you have to reheat it from there, instead of relying on the thermostat keeping it hot.

Go solar from there to benefit long term from real savings whilst saving the planet!

Learn About Solar

Solar suppliers spend a huge amount of time and money simply trying to educate you about solar energy systems. If you are a solar-interested, you can lower the amount of time your installer needs to spend educating you on the technology by reading up on solar and types of systems. The more educated you are about your potential installation, the more you will know exactly what you need and where to start. Many solar companies sell you “off-the-shelf” solutions and in the long run, these will cause you headaches and ultimately you will be out of your pocket fixing it. Go with a reputable and knowledgeable company. Systems are designed as per needs, budget and can be built up over time, and are highly based on your unique system and usage.

Hardware Choices: Which Solar Energy Systems Are Right For You?

Type of Panels: The more efficient the solar panel, the more expensive it is. In most cases you actually don’t need the most efficient equipment to produce all the electricity that your home needs.

Type of Inverter: There are three main types of inverters; centralized inverters, string inverters, and power optimizers. Centralized inverters serve the whole system, while string inverters and power optimizers are attached to each panel in a system. String inverters and power optimizers are generally more expensive than centralized inverters. Again, think of how efficient of a system you really need.

Type of Mounting System: A solar energy system can be installed on the roof of a building or on the ground. If the system is installed on the ground, it can be equipped with a tracking system to maximize its energy production. A more complex mounting system will increase your costs, so think about what’s really necessary for your own installation. Remember that you’ll want to have the solar panels facing north at a 30-degree angle for maximum production.

Installation: Added Complexity Can Increase Costs

Warranties: From workmanship to equipment, having warranties on your solar energy installation can ensure that you get the most power from your system. Make sure you’re hiring the right installer that offers the right warranty to meet your budgetary requirements. With the commissioning done by a certified Electrician giving you a COC (Certificate of compliance) and using certified components such as circuit breakers.

Complex Roofs: If your roof has multiple levels, an unusual angle, or dormers, installing your system may be more complicated than usual. Your installer should arrange the panels for optimal energy production, but added effort will increase costs. Distributing solar panels across multiple levels will add complexity, as will installations on certain roof types (such as tile and slate).

Landscaping: If you need to trim branches or landscape your area for optimal energy production, this may also add to the total cost of your system. To save money, consider doing this work yourself ahead of time or hiring a local tree pruner.

Improving Your Electrical System: Though unlikely, your electrical system could require an upgrade in order to be brought up to code. If needed, this added work would increase the costs of your solar installation. To spread these costs out, consider upgrading your electric system in one month and then going solar in the next. In South Africa, most DB – Distribution boards are sub-standard and require fixing before solar is installed.

Summary

By taking simple steps, you can significantly lower the costs of installing a solar energy system. Remember, the lower these upfront costs are, the faster that you’ll reach breakeven and start to make money off of your new energy system.

Current Automation Mbombela offers FREE information, system design and installation is NRS compliant.

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