The power of the sun: 3 solar tips for the South African homeowner
It doesn’t look like loadshedding will be going anywhere for the foreseeable future. This means that adopting alternative energy sources, like solar, is essential for South African homeowners. Here are 3 dos and don’ts to follow when it comes to solar.
Invest in solar solutions
Aside from the numerous benefits solar provides as an alternative energy option, it’s also a strong financial investment. In a 2020 report published by GreenAgri,it was found that solar photovoltaic (PV) panels pay themselves back within 3 to 12 years of installation, thereafter you’ll have free energy for around 15 years.
Also, in February 2023, the government announced a solar panel tax incentive to encourage households to invest in clean electricity generation capacity. The incentive allows individuals to claim a rebate to the value of 25% on the cost of new and unused solar PV panels, up to a maximum of R15 000 per individual. So there really is no time like the present to invest in solar.
Don’t run too many appliances at once
While most modern solar power systems have been engineered to handle many appliances at once, it’s still worth being cautious. For example, appliances with heating elements can be especially troublesome in this regard. So it’s probably best to avoid running your microwave and kettle at the same time. Appliances that use a large amount of power, such as pool pumps and geysers for instance, are generally not connected to solar during installations for this very reason.
Opt for energy efficient appliances
While prioritising what appliances to connect to your solar power system is doable, if you’d like to create a more seamless experience, it’s worth investing in appliances that are more energy efficient. Switching out your bigger appliances for ones that use less energy will reap the biggest rewards.
For instance, many people turn their air conditioners off when running on solar to save energy. But with aircons like LG’s ArtCool and DualCool there’s no need for you to lose the comfort of quality air flow. Both aircons boast advanced features, such as smart inverter technology and auto-cleaning, that ensure optimal performance with minimal energy usage. The dual inverter used in these aircons saves up to 70% more energy than a non-inverter model.
By investing in solar power and using energy-efficient appliances, homeowners can carry on with their normal lives even during loadshedding.