How Solar Power Can Help You Save Money In South Africa
With the increasing cost of electricity from Eskom and the decreasing cost of Solar, a properly installed Solar Power System will not only rid you from the effects of loadshedding for good, it will also help you save money on your electricity bills.
By installing solar, you can reduce your reliance on the grid (and, in our case, a dysfunctional Eskom) and generate and store your own electricity.
This can help you to reduce your electricity bill, be free of loadshedding as well as give Eskom the middle finger. Loads of people are trying to find out how to benefit from solar in South Africa, and that’s what we’re going to share with you.
Solar systems are becoming increasingly affordable, depending on how much power you are after, making them a great option for those looking to reduce their energy expenses and move away from the reliance on the Eskom grid as a power supplier.
Solar power can provide numerous benefits and help you save money in several ways:
- Cost savings on your monthly electricity bill. Your cost per kW from your Solar system stays the same, while Eskom is planning on giving you a 30%+ increase a year for at least the next decade. So solar for your house will save you money and become more affordable in the long run.
- It will add value to your property. When you do decide to sell, you will have a home that is higher in demand to homebuyers who are carefully looking at running costs (in addition to their home loan) and want a reliable electricity supply.
- Your time! Loadshedding affects our productivity and quality of life. With a properly installed system, you will get back the lost time in managing unexpected power losses.
- Modern-day systems require very little to no maintenance and have a lifespan of 20-30 years, making them a great investment for homeowners in South Africa.
- Virtually guaranteed and reliable power supply.
- Complete grid independence, should you choose to install a system that gives you enough electricity to remain off grid and only dependent on the sun’s rays.
- A solar panel can transform your life, help get you off grid and you can always add more panels and battery storage later on, to run more appliances.
- You’ll benefit from saving money, lowering your average monthly bill, not being stressed about power cuts and they can provide complete grid independence.
Reducing your carbon footprint is important for both the environment and your wallet. Solar power can help you do your part to reduce emissions without sacrificing your comfort. In fact, solar power can actually save you money in the long run by reducing your reliance on traditional forms of energy.
Best Maintenance for your Solar Power System
- Regularly check the panels and clean them if necessary. Dust and dirt can build up on the panels and reduce their efficiency
- Check the batteries and inverter regularly to ensure they are working properly
- Keep an eye on your energy usage and adjust your habits accordingly. Conserving energy will help you save even more money on your bills.
The Cost Of a Solar Power System In South Africa
Solar power is a great way to lower your overall household energy bills in South Africa.
The cost of solar power has decreased significantly in recent years, making it a more affordable option for many households.
There are several different solar systems available on the market, so it’s important to do your research to find the one that best suits your needs.
With careful planning and implementation, you can save significantly by switching to solar power.
In South Africa, the cost of solar power is now around R1.50 per kWh, which is much cheaper than the cost of electricity from the Eskom at current 2022/2023 prices.
This means that the cost-benefit of Solar Systems will just increase over the years as Eskom pushes over inflation increases to make up for a business that has been bankrupted by the state.
How does it work?
Solar power is a renewable energy source that can help to reduce your carbon footprint. Solar PV systems capture and convert sunlight into electricity, which can then be used to power your home or business.
This method of power generation is becoming increasingly popular in South Africa as it is a cost-effective & reliable way to reduce your energy bills. Solar Energy can then also be stored in batteries to make sure your home is powered 24 hours a day.
Solar power can be used to generate electricity, heat water or both – making it a versatile option for many different homes AND small businesses.
How to save money with solar in South Africa
Solar power will help you reduce your electricity bill and is remarkably affordable after the payback period. In fact, according to recent studies, installing solar panels can reduce your electricity costs by up to 50%.
That means, for example, that over a year, you could save 10’s of thousands of Rands simply by switching to solar power.
There are many ways to recoup your initial investment with Solar Systems in South Africa.
One way is to install solar panels on your home or office. This will allow you to generate your own electricity, which will, in turn, lower your monthly energy bills. Another way to make your living expenses more affordable is to purchase a solar water heater.
These systems use the sun’s energy to heat water, which can then be used for cooking, bathing, and other needs.
Using solar power instead of traditional energy sources, you can save a significant amount of money (and frustration!) every month.
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, which can be used to power your home or business. This means that you are using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels, which helps to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
With the improvement in technology, Solar power systems are becoming more and more affordable, so they’re a great option for those looking to reduce electricity fees.
If you want to see how much you can save, why not get a FREE Solar System quote from one of our approved installers and see for yourself?
You will get a quote for a system consisting of:
- Solar Panels
- Lithium Batteries
- Quality Inverter
- PLUS all the other items needed to install your Home Solar power at the best possible price.
It’s time to reduce your reliance on the government and start with a path to energy self-reliance.
The Cost Of Installing Solar Power
The cost of installing solar power in South Africa has decreased significantly in recent years.
This is due to several factors, including the falling cost of solar panels and the increasing efficiency of solar technology.
Solar power is now one of the most cost-effective ways to generate electricity and thanks to our useless national power supplier, it is rapidly becoming more popular in South Africa as a result.
It might seem expensive to install, but they will eventually pay for themselves through the savings on your electric bill.
We will get MASSIVE increases from Eskom over the years and with the current cost per kW of electricity from Solar, the switch to a proper home solar option has become a no-brainer decision.
In addition, solar power is environmentally friendly and will help reduce your carbon footprint.
When you shop around for the best deals, make sure you install a system that will last for at least 10-15 years. This is the one time when you rather want to spend a little more on your home (think of it as an investment) and NOT go the “cheap” route!
Be sure to also compare the quality of the products on offer from solar installers, as this can vary greatly between different suppliers.
Consider your energy needs carefully. Solar power systems come in various sizes and capacities, so it’s important to consider your energy needs carefully (like how many bulbs and appliances you want to power) before installing a system.
If your installer is willing to install an electricity usage counter for a 2-week period to show you what size system you need, go ahead and do it. It’s a fantastic way to get some accurate data and ensure you install the appropriate system!
Also… don’t forget that most banks now give finance to homeowners and using the equity in your home to install your new backup power supply will ensure you save money from DAY 1!
Electricity Bills – Is Solar Cheaper Than Eskom?
At this time (2022), the cost per kW from solar is cheaper than the cost per kW from Eskom.
The biggest hurdle for most homeowners is the initial capital outlay for the solar system, and it depends on how much electricity they need and what their solar installation requirements are.
Once that is done, the cost to maintain your solar system is basically zero for at LEAST 10-15 years.
Let’s look at a quick calculation for a Solar System of R250,000:
For example:
- Your average system size at this cost will be an 8kW inverter, 10kWh Lithium batteries and +- 10 x 455W Solar Panels installed.
- This will easily run an average 3-bedroom home, excluding the electric oven and electric geyser.
- Your electricity savings will be in the region of R2,000 per month (at current Eskom costs).
- Your cost to place the R250,000 on your bond will be +- R1,800 per month.
- That’s an immediate saving of R200 per month AT CURRENT COSTS.
5 years from now, you will still have to invest the same for your solar energy system (in cost per kW), but with the proposed Eskom electricity price increases in the pipeline, you will pay at least three times more per kW from the Eskom grid.
So, when looking at the cost of solar, you HAVE to look at the cost vs savings over at least a 10-year period.
In conclusion
It’s a long-term investment into your house that will pay itself back in 5 to 7 years and from there, you are in the money… and that is not even taking into account the inconvenience, damage to electrical goods AND security risks of constant loadshedding.
Your solar installation can be used to offset your Eskom energy costs, or it can be your primary source of energy. Still, even if your electricity tariffs, in the beginning, reduces by less than the monthly cost of your new installation, you will still be in the money within two years AT MOST!
If you want to see how much you can save with a properly installed Solar Energy System for your home in South Africa, just click here and get a FREE solar quote from one of our accredited and approved solar installers!
