How much does solar cost, you ask?
Well, this answer can vary, dependent on your specific needs. On average, solar panels, battery backup, and an inverter can cost between R150,000 and R300,000 to move a normal residence “off the grid” – baring in mind that residential properties are rarely 100% off the grid. This investment, on the other hand, will pay for itself in energy savings.
Following the recent round of Eskom load-shedding, many South African households and companies are looking for ways to safeguard themselves from blackouts.
While the power utility claimed that load-shedding would be reduced starting in September, it has lost the faith of South Africans for years.
Former Eskom CEO Brian Dames, former President Jacob Zuma, and even current President Cyril Ramaphosa have all stated that load-shedding will be eliminated.
It always came back, and South Africans had to endure some of the country’s worst blackouts in recent memory.
Energy expert Chris Yelland responded to the blackouts by saying that South Africans must take responsibility of their own energy future because they cannot rely on the government or Eskom.
People are looking beyond ESKOM and the government’s promises for change
A solar installation is a smart way to defend against load shedding. Solar power with battery backups, according to Murray van Graan of NuPower, is a wonderful alternative in South Africa, which has enough of sunshine.
Apart from putting an end to load shedding, such a system will also save people money.
NuPower ran a simulation on a typical household going entirely off-grid and cutting off their Eskom power, and the results are promising.
In the first year, a normal solar power system generates a return on investment of between 9% and 12%.
The levelized cost of electricity after 20 years of operation is less than R1 per kWh. This is nearly half of what most people pay now.
However, generating enough electricity to eliminate the need for Eskom power comes at a high upfront cost.
A normal home consumes between 30 and 40 kWh per day. This means that a system with an average daily solar production of above 40kWh will be required.
A Sunsynk 8kW hybrid inverter, 4 x PylonTech 3.5kWh batteries, and an 8.4kW solar array make up this system.
The system has a discharge power of up to 8kW, which is sufficient for most families.
Replace your electric geyser with a solar version to extend the battery backup’s life. Electric geysers often account for 30 percent to 40 percent of monthly electricity usage.
Additional energy-saving techniques are also recommended to reduce your household’s reliance on electricity
This includes switching to gas stoves and hobs, installing LED lights, and purchasing energy-efficient refrigerators, freezers, and washing machines.
Source: www.mybroadband.co.za
