Skip to content

RESIDENTIAL SOLAR POWER SOLUTIONS

We are licensed electricians and Solar Electric Africa is a registered electrical contractor with the Department of Labour (REG NO. GS 04820)

Solar Electric Africa is a solar power and electrical solutions provider, equipment supplier and installation company. We are experts at system design, supply, installation and maintenance of complex solar and electrical systems.

 

Our service include:

  • Needs analysis
  • Solar system design, equipment supply installation and commissioning
  • Solar system relocations
  • Maintenance contracts
  • Upgrades
  • Repairs

Save Electricity - Install a solar power system

Reduce the cost of your electricity bill and install a residential solar power system and generate your own electricity by capturing free sun powered energy. Depending on your electricity consumption profile it is possible to reduce your electricity bill by up to 70%.

Install a solar power system to ensure you are not plunged into darkness during Eskom loadshedding.

Solar energy is radiant light and heat generated by the sun in the form of solar radiation. It is this solar radiation that makes the production of solar electricity possible.

 

Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV) system in its simplest form consists of solar rooftop panels that collects radiant energy from the sun and converts this energy into a DC voltage. This DC voltage is fed into a DC to AC inverter which in turn is connected to the electrical distribution panel in your home, in parallel with the municipal electrical feed. This is called a Grid Tied system because it tied in with the municipal feed. It is also possible to become totally independent of the municipal electricity called an off-grid system that is much more expensive to install and maintain.

You can use this electricity to power all electrical items in the same way that you do currently with municipal or Eskom electricity but for free.

During daylight hours the solar electricity generated can be used immediately onsite or sold back to your energy supplier called net metering. Net metering is only available in some municipalities in Cape Town. Other municipalities in South Africa have not implemented Net Metering yet. Therefore, PV installations in these other regions will not benefit from Net Metering for now but you will still benefit from reduced electricity consumption from the Eskom grid.

Residential Solar Power Benefits

Save Electricity Bill Costs

Probably the biggest advantage of solar energy is immediate electricity bill savings. No matter how small your installation, you begin receiving smaller monthly bills from Day 1.

With a renewable energy source like solar, you only have to draw electricity from the grid when you need it. And since you’re only paying for what you use from the grid, you’ll save on your electricity bill. Plus you’ll generate power for years to come, sometimes, even decades.

Store excess power in battery

During daytime your home will be powered from the solar panels and any excess power can be diverted to the battery for later use either during Eskom loadsheddilng or to power you home at night

 

Increase the value of your home

Because solar energy helps you save on your electricity bill, it’s an investment that pays for itself many times over the 25+ year lifetime of your installation. Most European solar module manufactures provide a 25 year warranty but the PV module lifespan can be as much as 40 years.

The advantages of solar power extend well beyond electricity bill savings. Solar power can also fetch you a much higher asking price when it comes time to sell your home.

What are the different types of solar systems

Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV) system in its simplest form consists of solar rooftop panels that collects radiant energy from the sun and converts this energy into a DC voltage. This DC voltage is fed into a DC to AC inverter which in turn is connected to the electrical distribution panel in your home, in parallel with the municipal electrical feed. This is commonly known as a Grid Tied system. A grid tied system does not have battery backup and will shut down during Eskom loadshedding and generally only installed when the end user wants to supplement their Eskom consumption with solar mainly to reduce electricity costs. A grid tied system is not suitable as a backup solution for loadshedding.

 

An off Grid solar system is installed when there is no grid (Eskom) power available or when the customer wants to become completely power independent.

 

A Hybrid solar system is a combination of a grid tied and off grid system that consists solar panels, inverter and batteries. The solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, while the batteries store energy for later use. Hybrid solar systems have both on-grid and off-grid capabilities, allowing you to continue running on solar power even during loadshedding or power outages.

Does a solar system need a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)

A CoC must be issued whenever a solar system has been added to the property’s electrical system. The CoC must be issued before the solar system is brought into operation.

 

However, a CoC for the addition of a solar system can only be issued if there is already an existing valid CoC for the entire electrical installation. If a valid CoC does not already exist, a Registered Person must provide a new CoC for the property’s entire electrical installation, including the solar system. 

 

A common misconception in South Africa is that any company selling solar installation services is allowed to do the installation. This is not the case! A solar installation company is prohibited by Law from doing any electrical work, including solar installations unless the company is a registered Electrical Contractor with the Department of Labour, and employ’s at least one Registered Person (qualified electrician with a wiremans licence).

 

It is common practice for these companies to subcontract the issuing of a CoC to a third-party electrician. This practice is illegal and could render your CoC invalid. In other words, installation companies that are not registered electrical contractors are prohibited from doing the solar installation and subcontracting a third-party electrician to simply issue a CoC. The installation company must have a Registered Person employed full time by the installation company who must supervise and be present on site for the entire installation from start to finish.

 

Be cautious of electricians claiming to be Qualified Electricians or Red Seal Qualified and thereby convincing unsuspecting buyers that they are permitted to install solar systems – they are not, and you could jeopardise your property insurance or bond. A red seal qualification is only one of the many requirements before becoming a Registered Person permitted to install,oversee & supervise the solar installation and issue a valid CoC. Always ask the Installation company to provide their Department of Labour Electrical Contractors registration certificate as well as the electrician’s (Registered Person) wiremans license.