Stephan

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https://sunlogic.co.za

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Solar panels on the roof of the modern house,Harvesting renewable energy with solar cell panels,Exterior design.

Rent-to-own

Rent-to-Own

Rent-to-own makes solar an affordable (and reliable) energy solution

With no end in sight for load shedding, homeowners and businesses have to consider solar solutions to keep the lights on and reduce their dependence on the electricity grid. Eskom has warned that more frequent power disruptions are likely as its aging generation units continue to shut down. As a result, those who can afford it have made the switch to solar in a bid to lower their electricity costs and reduce the load on the grid. In fact, according to a Reuters analysis of customs daya, South Africa imported solar panels worth nearly R2.2 million in the first months of this year alone.

Craig Lewis, of SunLogic, says cost need not be a barrier when it comes to considering alternative power solutions. “There’s a perception that solar power is too expensive for the average homeowner or business owner. Many people still believe they need to invest in a full system with multiple components to enjoy the benefits of having access to renewable energy.” However, there are various payment options which make solar broadly accessible.

off grid

“SunLogic offers rent-to-own and rented systems that can be tailored to your home or business’s needs,” explains Lewis. “Rented systems are useful for tenants who don’t own their home, consumers who would like an immediate solution and may not be able to buy a full system.” They enjoy the benefits of a solar system without having to take out a loan or pay upfront. Maintenance and repairs can also be included in the rental package, adds Lewis. 

There are a couple of options and you can choose to rent over 36, 48 or 60 months – or longer as needed. If your monthly electricity usage stays below 900kWh, the medium grid-tied solution should produce around 15-20KW of power a day, depending on installation and other factors. It is possible to rent this system for upwards of R2 349 a month. For a home that uses more electricity, the large grid-tied solution that produces around 20-35KW of power a day would cost upwards R3 875 a month.  

For those wanting to own their solar solution but who can’t pay the full amount upfront, it is also possible to finance it through a home loan. There are financial institutions that also offer homeowners an asset-backed solar finance solution, even if they don’t have a bond. 

“Regardless of which payment option you choose, a solar system offering some alternative power will add considerable value to your home while helping to reduce electricity costs and your dependence on the grid,” concludes Lewis.

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grid-v-no grid

Off the Grid vs. Grid-tied

Off the Grid vs. Grid-tied

The costs and benefits of off-grid and grid-tied solar solutions

A common question for homeowners and businesses considering solar solutions is whether to go completely off the grid. The answer depends on your budget and needs. 

Off-grid system

With an off-grid system, you will not be reliant on a power supplier or the grid for your energy needs. To produce your own electricity, you will need solar panels able to produce low-voltage electricity from sunlight. On average, South Africa enjoys about four to six hours of sunlight a day which could keep a solar system charged. 

The most important piece of equipment for an off-grid system is the inverter which converts the low voltage received from the panels to high-voltage 230VA which can power your TV, fridge and keep on the lights. Inverters come in various shapes and sizes, but make sure that any inverter you use has been approved by your local municipality. 

You would also need a battery, which comes in different sizes. Depending on your requirements, you could add multiple batteries to your inverter to store energy for use when there is no sunlight. 

off grid

Grid-tied system

This system allows you to remain connected to the grid, so that you can source electricity when your solar system is unable to meet your needs. Many consumers start with a build-to-grow system which includes solar panels and an inverter that can supply some solar energy, or an inverter and a battery so that they can keep the lights on during load shedding. 

This is probably the more cost-effective way of introducing solar into your home or business, as it will allow you to save on your monthly electricity bill until you are able to move completely off the grid. “It’s best to calculate your weekly peak hour usage and the cost of your electricity to work out which will work for you. SunLogic offers calculators that do this based on your monthly electricity bill.

grid-tied

Image Credit: https://stendysolar.co.nz/solar-energy-systems-work/

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Five tips to beat load shedding

Five tips to beat load shedding

With no end in sight to load shedding disruptions, homeowners and businesses need to do what they can to get through the outages as best they can.

Craig Lewis of SunLogic offers 5 tips to manage load shedding:

  1. Ensure important devices – laptop, cellphone etc – are charged before load shedding is scheduled to start. Invest in a portable phone charger that you top up with solar power if necessary. 
  2. Unplug cables to avoid power surges when the power does come on. This spike in power supply could damage appliances, so rather keep them unplugged during load shedding. If you have a UPS system (uninterrupted power supply), this will kick in with additional power when the electricity switches off. 
  3. To prevent food and perishables from going off during load shedding, fill bottles with water and freeze them. When the power goes off, place these in your fridge to keep food cool.
  4. Make small changes throughout your home to reduce your energy consumption. Switch to LED lights and insulate your geyser. Only switch on your geyser when you need warm water. By insulating your geyser, you will use up to 20% less power to heat it up when it is switched on again.
  5. Invest in an alternative power supply. Consider a PV solar system that will provide solar power. You can opt for a grid-tied solution that will supplement your energy requirement when the sun is available or an off-grid system that can store excess solar power produced during the day for use when needed. Contact SunLogic should this be an option for you to consider.

An off-grid system is pricier than a grid-tied system as it requires more batteries and hardware. “But you don’t need to go completely off-grid to benefit from a solar system,” says Lewis. “You can start small with a backup generator or batteries, and add to your system as needed.” Both are really great solutions, but with the recent increase in fuel prices, maybe a consideration for a greener solution is the way to go! There are also various finance options available for solar installations. The cost can be included in your monthly bond repayments, or you could opt for a rent-to-own approach. 

“With no sign of load shedding easing any time soon, homeowners and businesses need to take their energy needs into their own hands by switching to alternative energy sources,” concludes Lewis. 

Contact us at www.sunlogic.co.za for more cost saving tips.

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