Tired of load shedding? Get your home ready for solar

From 1 July, you will be paying upwards of 15% more for your electricity, as municipal tariff increases kick in. Yet energy experts have cautioned that, without urgent intervention from the government and others, we will see load shedding intensify with Stages 6, 8, and even 10 a likelihood. Understandably, homeowners are considering alternative ways to keep the lights on.

“Faced with mounting energy costs, and ongoing load shedding, many homeowners think that going entirely off grid is the only solution. Unfortunately, this is often too expensive. It’s therefore more feasible to make adjustments to your home’s energy consumption so that you can introduce solar energy solutions with a hybrid battery system that will augment Eskom or your municipality’s supply - rather than replacing it entirely,” says Ryan Steytler, COO of Hohm Energy.

Steytler suggests the following six ways to prepare your home for solar energy

1. Know your energy needs

Interrogate your monthly electricity bill so that you have an idea of your annual energy consumption. The account will show your usage in kilo-watt hours (kWh). This will give an indication of when your electricity bill spikes - it could be in winter when you are using heaters, for example. Look at other ways of reducing the amount of electricity you use. This may mean switching to LED bulbs or changing the timer on your geyser so that it only heats up when you expect to need warm water. A geyser can account for 40 to 60% of your electricity bill each month. By installing a geyser timer, you can regulate that the geyser is off during peak times. A geyser blanket will maintain the heat in your geyser, so that it does not need to be switched on as often.

The simplest solar system for residential use is a grid-tied solar PV system, which is installed to be tied to the grid or network. This means that you save on your electricity bills as you use solar energy during peak hours, and rely on the grid during off-peak times at night, or when the weather is overcast.

2. Make the necessary repairs to your home

Most homeowners opt for rooftop solar PV systems, so make sure your roof does not have any damaged tiles or rust that would make it difficult to install a solar system. Also look out for water damage that could affect your roof’s structural integrity. Repair any visible cracks and consider replacing your roof if it is reaching the end of its lifespan. Having to remove your solar panels should there be a need to replace the roof in a few years’ time will be an additional cost.

3. Do roof mapping to assess your rooftop’s solar potential

Measure the parameters of your roof to calculate the solar potential of your home. Hohm Energy’s platform will estimate how many solar panels you can accommodate and how much power they will generate, based on the space available.

4. Find an accredited solar installer and consider several quotes

As residential solar use becomes more popular, we are seeing more companies popping up claiming to be solar installers, says Steytler. It’s best to work with a service provider that is accredited by the South African PV Industry Association’s (SAPVIA) PV Green Card(PVGC) programme for solar installers

SAPVIA Spokesperson, Maloba Tshehla, explains: “Using accredited installers is critical, not just for your peace of mind, but to also ensure the safety of your installation for your home and the wider grid. By using a PVGC accredited installer, you are powering a more responsible and secure, renewable energy future.” Also, consider quotes from more than one solar installer.

5. Secure finance for your solar installation

While it is often possible to access your bond at a lower interest rate to pay for a solar system, there are companies that offer finance options. Lease or rental finance will allow you to use the solar system and benefit from lower energy bills, without actually owning the system. Whatever finance route you choose to take, also include an all-inclusive maintenance and service plan.

The cost of your solar PV system is dependent on the size of your home, the amount of roof space available and the kind of solar PV system you want, explains Steytler. The savings also depend on the cost of electricity based on which municipality provides you with electricity at the moment. “Generally, it takes four to nine years to pay off the solar system. So while the cost of electricity is going to increase significantly over the next five years, you should be able to pay off your solar system well within that time; giving you a reliable source of power at no additional cost.”

6. Get the necessary approvals.

Make sure you have the required municipal approvals for the solar system. Also, find out if you need to obtain neighbourhood or Homeowners' Association approval if you live in an estate or a complex.

To get the most from your rooftop PV solar system, it’s best to make your home as energy-efficient as possible, and to have a clear overview of your energy needs, concludes Steytler.