To go Solar or not to go Solar?
ecoming increasingly popular in South Africa due to growing government incentives and declining installation costs. With the introduction of cheaper photovoltaic systems, more South Africans are looking into switching to solar power. But is solar power a good choice for your home or business in South Africa?
Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular in South Africa due to growing government incentives and declining installation costs. With the introduction of cheaper photovoltaic systems, more South Africans are looking into switching to solar power. But is solar power a good choice for your home or business in South Africa?
The most obvious benefit of solar energy is that it is a clean source of energy. Solar energy does not emit any greenhouse gases and it does not depend on burning fossil fuels. This makes it a great choice for South Africa, which has been plagued by electricity shortages due to its reliance on coal-fired power plants. The renewable electricity produced by photovoltaic systems can provide a reliable source of power, which can help to reduce South Africa’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Solar power is also becoming more cost effective in South Africa. The cost of photovoltaic systems has decreased significantly over the last decade and government incentives have made solar energy even more attractive to consumers. This means that it is now becoming a more realistic option for many households and businesses. In addition, the vast amount of sunshine that the country enjoys means that solar energy could easily become the leading source of electricity in the near future.
Flipside
The major disadvantage of investing in solar energy in South Africa is the high cost of installation and maintenance. Photovoltaic systems require a large initial investment and the cost of installation is still relatively high, particularly when compared to other renewable sources of energy.
*Maintenance and repairs are expensive and you got to calculate your yearly cost to make sure that it is cost effective.
*You would need space to Harbour your system, the bigger your system, the bigger the space you would need.
* If you are a green-conscious person you might want to make sure about the impact the manufacturing of your system will have on the environment.
*Solar do not work on all roof types and rely on the weather for it to generate sufficient energy.
*Difficult to forecast net savings.
*Difficult to DIY you mostly need a professional if anything goes wrong with your system.
*Almost impossible to move once installed.
*The batteries are expensive and have a limited lifespan.
To convert to a solar energy is a lifestyle change more than a financial one at first. It might take you a few years to justify your financial layout but you would never have to worry about load shedding again and if you have a business, this alone is worth enough.