Common reasons for Going Solar: Lower or eliminate your electric bill: Power prices have increased in the recent last years, and the long-term outlook for energy prices show a steady increase. Increased Home Value: If the time comes to sell your home, you'll be selling a home with little or no electric bill-- a powerful selling point. Safe Investment: Has your retirement fund taken a hit lately? In addition to increased home value, Residential Solar can produce small, but certain long-term returns. Reduce Your Footprint: An average residential solar electric system reduces C02 emissions by 40,469 kilo's per year; the equivalent of planting 130 trees every year.
Electricity, Hot Water, Heat.
There are three types of solar:
1. Photovoltaic or PV: Produces electricity to power your home 2. Passive Thermal: Produces heated air to heat your home 3. Thermal Hot Water: Produces hot water
Learn your usage.
Determine your monthly usage from your bill. This is measured in kWh.
System Size The size of a solar electric system depends on the following:
Daily Energy Usage: As you'd expect, the less energy you need, the less your system will cost. The average home uses 900 kW hours per month.
Daily Sun Hours: This is the number of hours your location receives peak exposure to the sun. What's your sun hours?
Percentage of Coverage: The cost of the system will depend on the percentage of electricity you hope to gain from solar.
Average System Cost
The cost of a typical system can be broken down into 2 areas: components and installation. In the solar industry, this cost is tracked by rand per watt.
Range of Cost: Residential Grid-Tie systems can start as low as R25000 (installed) for a starter system, all the way to R375000 or more.
Average Component Cost: R30 per watt. This includes all the components including panels, inverters, mountings and electrical accessories.
Average Installation Cost: R17.50 per watt. This usually includes the physical installation of the system and connection to the grid.
Example: A 3 kW system is 3000 watts. So the components will cost R112500 before rebates, and the installation will cost R45000. E.O&E