Joshua G

Is it still worthwhile to have a solar system?

Is it still worthwhile to have a solar system?

I saw a headline on a news report this morning that the solar industry is taking a hit after 100 odd days with no load shedding. So you might find you have a bit of bargaining power, or that installers will sharpen their pencils a little when quoting.

Note the recent warnings from the President that despite improved performance, we are not out of the woods yet. This cold spell is going to put an enormous strain on resources.

Also there is a theory that load shedding is going to devolve. We already see this in Johannesburg where there is no load shedding and let's all give thanks, but there is load reduction in some areas (usually those with a high rate of non-payment and/or illegal connections). That is "reduction" instead of "shedding" is splitting hairs for the people involved. They don't have power so many hours a day.

Also the City is rolling out smart meters. This allows them to do load LIMITING IE you are restricted to just 10A, which is enough to keep the lights, wifi and TV on. They have said that this is one of a bundle of measures they may start using from July 2024 (that's now) to help keep their network up and running.

So what can we conclude? Despite the increased performance by Eskom, we are not out of the woods yet. Also municipalities who are getting a supply from Eskom are going to act unilaterally to protect their own infrastructure (which may be inadequate and is most likely not adequately maintained). So combine that with the savings on an increasingly expensive service, and I think there is still a good case for solar if you have the wherewithal. 

If you're going to do it, do it now whilst the going is good. I recall that after I had my system installed I sold the trolley inverter that we'd had. There had been no load shedding for a few weeks and I couldn't get a very good price for it. The week after I sold it there was load shedding again and the price climbed. Right now I am getting quotes for insulation in my roof. The guys giving the quotes are all warning that they are very busy right now. Why? Because it got cold. There is nothing like an immediate need to drive up prices and push out installation times.

Thank you very much, Bobster. Your suggestion is very helpful for me. 

This was my thinking.. 
Will do so immediately 🫡
 
Thank you. 

If you're only looking to beat Load Shedding, a cheap inverter (with a lithium battery) to match your essential demand during load shedding will do the trick. I ran this for 9 years (albeit with a lead-acid battery which I'd absolutely not recommend for this purpose). Like this, we were only without lights twice in that time; works great. A system like this is a small capital outlay - but won't ever pay for itself. You'll replace the battery once every decade.
 
Solar is for a different use-case: solar is for a system that provides immunity both from load shedding and grid unreliability in general; and also pays for itself (and generates profit thereafter); provided the system is appropriately spec'ed for the use-case. This is a large outlay, but will pay for itself. You'll also replace components on occasion (batteries for example, once a decade).
 
The other thing to keep in mind is that, even if your solar system still requires you to utilize some grid, your electricity bill savings on a solar system are two fold:
Units generated directly from the solar system (as opposed to being billed from the grid) The reduction in your average per-unit cost from the grid, because it'll put you in a lower usage step. (eg. the cost of your first 500 units are cheaper than units 500-1000 in a given month). This makes a bigger difference than many realize!  

I live in Honeydew, often cable theft & just poor infrastructure. Sometimes 5 days no power. It's a very worthwhile tangible insurance policy. 
Also if you track the exponential tarrif increases you save in the long run. One needs to get into the market having these foundations at the back of your mind. 

There are other reasons to consider solar :
1) Cable theft
2) Old infrastructure failing.
3) eskom increases of 12% per annum out pacing inflation.
and so on.
 
If you have the space and budget and it your consumption fits into a reasonable costed solar solution, I think its worthwhile moving in the solar direction for the following reasons:
1) lock in the cost of power.
2) Reduces your consumption from eskom at higher rates every year. So effectively any costs you would have had for eskom power can now be allocated to your solar system.
3) cable theft and eskom failures, load shedding   are not as much of a problem, you can typically get thru them, and recharge the following day?
4: Electric Vehicle charging if thats something you are considering?
 
Overall I think most folks who implemented solar will never go back and would rather try and move as far off grid as possible over time.
However it does cost, and if you have limited space like in an apartment or simplex unit or live in a complex, or residential estate, there maybe space and aesthetics issues consider as well, which may limit the effectiveness of implementing solar.
 
 

Yes. Certainly in Johannesburg or any other city where infrastructure has not been maintained and stuff just fails. Also there is still cable theft going on. 

We've also seen in Johannesburg how electricity fees are going up, and they're going up everywhere else too. So you can reduce what you pay for electricity, there's a saving to be made.

Look at your bill. Look at the tariffs that apply where you live. Assume you can generate 80% of your electricity needs over the year, add escalation in the cost of electricity for the next 5 years and see if it looks like a worthwhile proposition to you. If load shedding returns (I think it will, but not as badly as previously) then you have something that is valuable but harder to put a rands and cents value on IE the ability to keep vital electricity circuits powered up. Your lights will always be on, so will your TV, wifi, security, fridges...

I think the case is harder to make with no load shedding at present, but there is a saving every month, and it may become viable to sell back the way the tariffs are rising.

It depends on the situation.
 
I went for multiple smaller batteries initially as it was more flexible and allowed me to add batteries over time based on my budget that is what was available and at the time it suited my need, I am now in a situation where space is becoming a problem and I would like to add more battery capacity so now I would need to look at replacing them for multiple larger batteries.
 
It's unfortunate that Svolt do not offer their 280ah batteries in SA otherwise I'd likely look at replacing my current batteries with those.
Another thing to consider is charge & discharge current, although this can differ a lot depending on which battery but I have seen 150Ah batteries with the same 100A charge / discharge limit compared to your typical 100Ah battery.

I'm of the same mine as Kibim, though it must be taken into account that 2x5kWh is usually more expensive than 1x10kWh and definitely more complicated. You're paying for 2 BMS rather than one, for a start, and there is more wiring involved and the BMS must be connected together.

Cheaper to upgrade in 5kw increments maybe?

Why have one, when for the same price you can have 2?
reliability. One fails in a 2 battery setup, you can still limp along. 1 battery, 1 failure and you're dead in the water.