A PV solar system, also known as a photovoltaic system, converts sunlight into electricity using solar panels made of semiconductor materials.

PV solar systems work through the photovoltaic effect, where sunlight interacts with the semiconductor material in solar panels, generating an electric current. This direct current (DC) is then converted into usable alternating current (AC) electricity by an inverter for powering homes, businesses, or feeding into the grid.

The main components of a PV solar system include solar panels (composed of PV cells), mounting structures, inverters (to convert DC to AC), wiring, and sometimes battery storage systems for energy storage.

• The battery storage options are mostly dependent on your budget.
• We would advise for everyone to invest in lithium-ion batteries as they offer great warranties and also excellent performance. Unfortunately, lithium-ion batteries are expensive.
• But there is not a one size fits all type of battery. Every system or solar setup requires a specific battery storage solution with specific battery types meeting your needs and your budget.
• You can choose a battery depending on how much work you’re willing to do for battery maintenance versus the cost related for the battery you want to install.

Some advantages of PV solar systems include renewable energy generation, reduced electricity bills, low maintenance requirements, long lifespan (typically 25 years or more), and environmental benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

PV solar systems can last for 25 years or more with proper maintenance. Solar panels typically come with warranties ranging from 20 to 25 years, but they can continue to generate electricity beyond the warranty period.

Challenges of PV solar systems include high upfront costs, intermittency (dependence on sunlight availability), energy storage limitations (for off-grid systems), land use requirements, and potential aesthetic concerns.

PV solar systems can still generate electricity during cloudy days, although at reduced efficiency compared to sunny days. However, modern solar panels are designed to capture diffused sunlight, allowing for some electricity generation even under overcast conditions.

PV solar systems are suitable for most locations with sufficient sunlight exposure. However, factors such as shading, orientation, tilt, and local regulations may affect the feasibility and efficiency of solar installations.

Yes, PV solar systems are environmentally friendly as they produce electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or pollutants. They contribute to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change.

‘Photovoltaic’ is a marriage of two words: ‘photo’, meaning light, and ‘voltaic’, meaning electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) panels form part of a complete solar system to generate energy from sunlight.

Photovoltaic technology is the term used to describe the hardware converting solar energy into usable power. At the heart of this technology is a semi-conductor material which can be adapted to release electrons. The most common semi-conductor material used in photovoltaic cells is silicon — an element most commonly found in sand. Silicon is the second most abundant material on Earth!

Solar panels are comprised of a series of cells. All these cells have two layers of semi-conductors: one positively charged and one negatively charged. When light shines on the semi-conductor, the electric field between these two layers causes electricity to flow, generating direct current.

The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity. A PV system does not need bright sunlight in order to operate. It can also generate electricity on cloudy days. Due to the reflection of sunlight, days with slight cloud can even result in higher energy yields than days with a completely cloudless sky.

With South Africa’s long sunny days, PV technology is the perfect way to generate power from such an available (and renewable) source.

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) represents the amount of energy consumed or produced by a device with a power rating of one kilowatt (kW) operating for one hour. It’s a standard unit used by utility companies to measure electricity usage on consumer bills and is also used to quantify the output of electricity-generating systems like solar panels.

In easier terms:

a Utility Unit ( As indicated on Utility Bill ) is equal to 1kW or 1000W power of electricity used.
Example. a 100W Globe that burns for 12 hours will use 1.2kW or 1200W of power during the 12 hours.

If you power a 100watt light bulb for one hour, you are basically using 100watt hours.
If you power the 100watt light bulb for 10 hours, you’re at a 1000watts per hour or 1 kilowatt per hour. over the 10 hours.

A hairdryer is running at 1000watts, if you power it for one hour, that will consume 1 kilowatt per hour or (kWh). All electrical appliances have different electricity ratings and how many watts they will consume every hour. Wattage multiply the amount of hours will give you the kWh per hour.

OFF-GRID

Operating totally off the grid requires a large capacity battery array capable of powering the property during periods of low irradiance in winter and an inverter capable of supplying the maximum load ever required at one time. This requires a significant investment in PV modules, inverters and especially batteries which cannot normally be justified if there is a good quality grid connection available at the property. An off-grid system is well suited to rural areas with little or no grid connection but is unlikely to be a viable solution in a well-connected urban area. Should however fixed connection charges for electricity become more common and higher then disconnecting from the grid may become a more viable option in the future.

GRID-TIED

A pure grid-tied system with no storage or load management for a user with fixed rate power charges is a viable option for South Africa but the system will need to be significantly under sized to minimise the wasted energy generation as typically no surplus power can be exported. Essentially the PV system has to be sized to generate only sufficient power for the base load during the day, i.e. the fridge, freezer, pool pump and other permanently on devices. The low investment cost of a small PV system with a high self-consumption rate should make them quite attractive especially for households with family at home during the day.

GRID-BACKUP

If frequent load shedding continues each winter then there will be continued demand for grid-backup systems that can operate with no grid for prolonged periods of time. Adding a battery inverter or a hybrid inverter along with a battery makes it possible to combine the energy from the PV system with that from the stored battery to power at least the essential loads in the property. The size of the battery required depends on the rating of the essential loads to be driven from it at times of no solar power being available. Load shedding typically occurs during the evening peak in winter from 5:00PM – 10:00PM so there will normally be little or no solar power available to supplement the battery. Shown below is a typical system layout for a grid-backup system using a Solar PV inverter and a Battery Inverter which gives maximum flexibility in the system design and can be retrofitted to an existing Solar PV system:  An alternative solution for new installations is to use a combined PV and battery inverter, commonly referred to as a hybrid inverter. This is a multi-function device that includes all the functions required to configure a grid-backup solution:

Performance of PV solar systems is influenced by factors such as sunlight availability, system orientation and tilt, shading, temperature, system size and efficiency, and proper maintenance.

Net metering is a billing mechanism that allows owners of solar energy systems or other renewable energy generators to receive credit for the electricity they generate and export to the grid. It essentially enables consumers to “bank” excess electricity produced by their renewable energy systems and use it to offset their future electricity consumption.

Here’s how net metering typically works:

1. Installation of Renewable Energy System: A homeowner, business, or institution installs a renewable energy system, such as solar panels, wind turbines, or hydroelectric generators, on their property to generate electricity.
2. Generation of Electricity: The renewable energy system generates electricity, which can be used on-site to power appliances, lighting, equipment, and other electrical loads.
3. Exporting Excess Electricity: If the renewable energy system generates more electricity than is needed at any given time, the excess electricity is exported to the utility grid.
4. Metering: A bidirectional meter, also known as a net meter, is installed to measure both the electricity imported from the grid and the electricity exported to the grid. This meter records the net amount of electricity consumed or produced over a specific billing period.
5. Credit for Excess Generation: The utility company credits the consumer for the excess electricity exported to the grid. This credit is typically applied at the same rate as the retail electricity price or at a predetermined rate specified by regulations or utility policies.
6. Offsetting Electricity Bills: The credits accumulated through net metering are used to offset the consumer’s electricity bills in subsequent billing periods. If the consumer’s electricity consumption exceeds their generation during a billing period, they will use their credits to offset the cost of electricity from the grid.

Net metering allows consumers to benefit financially from their investment in renewable energy systems by reducing their electricity bills and providing a mechanism for compensating them for the electricity they contribute to the grid. It promotes the adoption of renewable energy technologies and helps to integrate distributed generation into the electricity grid.

The choice of a battery is one of the most critical decisions that needs to be made when designing a grid-backup or enhanced self-consumption solar PV system. The two main types of battery commonly chosen for solar PV systems are Lead Acid and Lithium Ion with various different specific types and products from many different manufacturers available on the market. The table below gives a summary comparison of the key attributes of these two different battery technologies.

The choice of battery type is not a simple decision with many different factors to take into account but we would always recommend that a comparison is made using the above considerations and looking at the total cost over the life of the system and not simply choosing the lowest initial cost option which in many cases may be more expensive over the life of the system. Equally critical is the size of the battery with one too small providing insufficient benefit and one too large being a significant additional unrequired expense. Detailed below are some of the factors that need to be considered when determining the size of battery required: �

We offer backup battery kits, off-grid solar kits, grid-tied solar kits, and hybrid solar kits.

It all depends on what you require. If you need to be independent of the utility grid or, save money by feeding into the grid and lastly, having the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, in South Africa, grid-tied systems for feeding electricity into the grid, are not available in every region across the country.�

We can provide you with solar installations in all areas of Gauteng. We make use of solar installer contractors who conducts all our residential solar installations for us.

All our products are sold without installation, except if it states otherwise on the product. We supply installers and the public with affordable solar components. But, we can assist with installations if required by our recommended solar installer contractors where required.�

The amount of money you can save with a PV solar system depends on factors such as your electricity usage, local electricity rates, the size and efficiency of your system, available incentives, and financing options. On average, homeowners can save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of their solar system.

PV solar systems can significantly reduce or eliminate your electricity bill, especially if your system is appropriately sized to meet your energy needs and if net metering is available in your area. However, factors like system size, sunlight availability, and energy usage patterns will influence the extent to which your bill is reduced.

The payback period for a PV solar system varies depending on factors such as system cost, energy savings, incentives, and financing terms. In many cases, homeowners can recoup their investment within 5 to 10 years, with continued savings over the system’s 25-year lifespan.

Yes, there are upfront costs associated with installing a PV solar system, including the cost of solar panels, inverters, mounting hardware, installation labor, permits, and any additional components such as battery storage. However, there are various financing options available, including solar loans, leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs), which can help spread out the upfront costs.

PV solar systems generally have low ongoing maintenance costs. Routine maintenance may include occasional cleaning of solar panels to remove dirt and debris, as well as inspections to ensure proper functioning of components. Most reputable installers offer warranties and service plans to cover maintenance and repairs.

In addition to saving money on electricity bills, homeowners with PV solar systems may have opportunities to earn money through programs such as net metering, where excess electricity generated by the system can be sold back to the grid for credits or payments. Additionally, some regions offer incentives or feed-in tariffs for solar energy generation.

Research has shown that installing a PV solar system can increase a home’s value. Homebuyers are often willing to pay a premium for homes with solar panels due to the long-term energy savings and environmental benefits they offer. However, the exact increase in home value may vary depending on factors such as local market conditions and the size and efficiency of the solar system.

As of the last update in January 2022, South Africa had various tax incentives and financial mechanisms in place to promote the adoption of renewable energy, including photovoltaic (PV) solar systems. Here are some of the key incentives related to PV solar installations in South Africa:

1. Income Tax Allowance for Renewable Energy Projects: South Africa offers tax incentives for businesses investing in renewable energy projects, including PV solar installations. These incentives may include deductions or allowances for capital expenditure incurred on renewable energy infrastructure.
2. Accelerated Depreciation: Businesses investing in PV solar systems may be eligible for accelerated depreciation allowances, allowing them to depreciate the cost of the solar assets more rapidly for tax purposes.
3. Section 12B Tax Allowance: Section 12B of the South African Income Tax Act provides for an additional tax deduction for energy efficiency savings achieved through renewable energy projects, including PV solar installations.
4. Renewable Energy Tax Credits: Some municipalities or provincial governments in South Africa may offer tax credits or rebates for businesses or individuals installing PV solar systems. These credits can offset a portion of the upfront costs of the installation.
5. Value-Added Tax (VAT) Exemption: In South Africa, certain renewable energy technologies, including solar PV panels, inverters, and batteries, may be exempt from VAT. This exemption can help reduce the overall cost of installing a PV solar system.
6. Carbon Tax Offset: South Africa has implemented a carbon tax, which aims to incentivize businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in PV solar systems can help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and potentially offset carbon tax liabilities.
7. Feed-In Tariffs (FiTs) and Net Metering: While not directly related to tax incentives, feed-in tariffs (FiTs) and net metering policies allow PV system owners to sell excess electricity generated by their systems back to the grid or receive credits for it. This can provide financial benefits by reducing electricity bills or generating additional income.

You can estimate the potential savings from a PV solar system by analyzing your current electricity usage, understanding local electricity rates, considering available incentives, and consulting with solar installers for quotes and savings projections based on your specific circumstances.