5 Key Aspects To Know About Solar Panels South Africa
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Whilst installing solar panels in South Africa has just got to be one of the most sensible ways of saving money on your electricity bill, there are some of the things you should know before installing a solar power system.
1. Solar Energy Is Totally Free and Renewable
Once you’ve recovered the initial cost of buying and installing your solar panels in South Africa, the electricity produced by them is totally free.
Furthermore, home owners must be crazy not to take advantage of the roughly 2,500 hours of sunshine available annually to us living in South Africa year, making it an ideal place for harnessing that free solar energy.
Just imagine having solar panels installed in your home supplying enough power to run your stoves, lights, televisions, refrigerators as well as your computers without having to rely on Eskom, or that dreaded load shedding, at all.
Not only will you save a bundle of money but most importantly you won’t be affected by the many power outages that are predicted.
2. Types Of Solar Panels South Africa
Whilst the solar panels only form part of the solar power system, they form the most important part in it.
This is why it’s important to know the difference between the various types of solar panels South Africa to ensure you make the right choice for your specific requirements.
It should be noted that the main component found in solar panels are solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells, which are made of silicone and form the integral function of harnessing the solar energy from the sun.
The process of manufacturing the solar cells, from silicone, determines the type of solar cell that is produced as below.
Monocrystalline Cells
- The Monocrystalline solar panel is formed from a single crystal structure as well as being of the oldest technology.
- Whilst these are generally the more expensive type of solar panel, they are also more efficient than the Polycrystalline type.
- Furthermore, being more efficient than the other types, means that less solar panels are required to produce the same amount of watts.
- This type of solar panel is ideal for commercial or residential use especially where space is a constraint as fewer panels will be required.
Polycrystalline Cells
- Polycrystalline cells uses newer technology to fuse small silicon pieces together creating a less uniform appearance than the Monocrystalline cells which have a uniform flat texture.
- Whilst the cost per watt of these cells is less than those above, their efficiency isn’t as good which means more are required to produce the same amount of watts.
- It should be noted however, that the efficiency of these cells is improving as technology is being implemented in the manufacturing of them.
- Not only are Polycrystalline the cheapest type of solar panel, they are also durable and long lasting.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels Are More Efficient But Also More Expensive Than Polycrystalline Panels.
However, More Efficient Ways Of Manufacturing Monocrystalline Solar Cells Are Being Discovered Which Is Narrowing the Price Difference Between Them
3. Solar Panel Sizes
You will need to consider your requirements before deciding on how many solar panels you’ll need.
For instance if the space you have for installing them is limited, you will probably have to opt for solar panels that have a high power rating like 400W panels compared to a lower power which would require more panels.
4. Consider All Solar Panel Costs
Whilst having solar panels installed in South Africa will undoubtedly save you loads of money in the long run, you need to consider the initial costs of having them installed.
- As the initial cost of buying the solar panels South Africa will be a significant, you need to know how many you need and of what power strength.
- Then you need to account for the cost of installing them by a professional unless you can perform a DIY solar panel installation which would be a saving.
- Furthermore, you don’t want to be surprised by additional costs if modifications are required to effect a proper installation in your home.
- You therefore need to ensure that your home is able to accommodate solar panels without any big modifications being needed, for instance the material, shape and inclination of your roof needs to right.
- Also, it wouldn’t be ideal if your house is in the shade most of the day, although solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to work.
- On the other hand you may be able to claim a rebate, which Eskom used to offer but no longer it seems.
- In fact there was talk of Eskom forcing those who generate their own power to pay for use of the grid.
5. Solar Power Kits
To simplify the process of installing your solar power system, solar power kits provide you with everything you need.
Even if you need additional components down the line, your solar power kit will have complimentary products that will be compatible so that you don’t have any problems.
Not only is buying a kit usually cheaper, but it ensures that the all the components are of the same brand which lends itself to reliability and better performance.
Some of the benefits of buying a solar power kit include the following;
- Cheaper
- Convenience as you’ll get everything you need in one go
- Equipment and brands that work optimally together
Solar Panels and Water Heating
The amount of power it takes to heat up the water in your home accounts for almost half of the total electricity consumed in the average South African household.
Furthermore this energy is supplied almost totally in the form of electricity, which we all know is not only in short supply but also rising rapidly in terms of cost.
An interesting fact is that Leonardo Da Vinci, back in the 15th century, explored the use of curved metal plates to focus and concentrate the suns rays into using their solar energy into heating water.
Therefore, if you could harness the power of solar energy, by installing solar panels South Africa, you could almost eliminate your electricity requirement and dependency on Eskom.
The Central Energy Fund (CEF) has begun a program of solar water heating to assist with the above, initially aimed at the high income households in Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
It is without question that the use of solar panels SA to heat water has many benefits both for the home owner, in terms of cost, as well as for the energy supply in South Africa.
Furthermore, with the huge amount of sunshine in South Africa, photovoltaic solar panels can be used as solar water heaters both by the home owner as well as commerce & industry to great effect.
How to Make Your Own Cheap Solar Panel – SA
With the rising prices of electricity any home owner in South Africa would be crazy not to consider installing solar panels to power their home.
So whilst solar energy is the way to go, often the cost associated with installing a solar power system is the main obstacle to this green energy solution.
However the good news is that the cost of buying solar panels South Africa can be reduced drastically by making them yourself.
Want To Make Your Own DIY Solar Panels?