June 15, 20242 yr Evening all, I am a trustee on a body corporate with mixed residential and commercial (Wexford Park in Durban) One of the commercial units wants to install solar for the usual reasons. This is tricky in a complex, as the roof space is shared, and there are many aspects to consider, safety, fire risks, future expansion and maintenance being some of them, not to mention that one needs owner approval, conduct rules etc! I have drafted some guidelines, and an application form with request for details. I would be interested in any advice or comments from the forum. The document can be accessed at the link below https://rhls.co.za/solar.pdf TIA
June 16, 20242 yr I'd stipulate additional insurance be taken out to cover the adjacent buildings in case of fire etc..This can be restricted to fire caused by panels only, will save underwriting costs. As for annual maintenance: Does an annual maintenance schedule even exist, who will contract for an annual checkup? Just stipulate an annual checkup must be done at anniversary of install. Too many mentions of "high quality"..Either define "high quality" or stipulate equipment specs.
June 16, 20242 yr Personally I'd keep the maintenance under control of the body corporate. Something maybe like designating roof sections as exclusive use areas and charging levies that cover the costs. Or else installing the solar panels exclusively by the body corporate, and selling power to the grid. But not leave it up to the individual owners to take responsibility for maintaining the common property.
June 16, 20242 yr If were on the BC, I would stipulate that the system must be registered with the municipality or Eskom as required. Registration costs to be for the unit owner's account. If Eskom/Municipality come looking for unregistered installations, and find one, it is likely the BC that will be held responsible. Edited June 16, 20242 yr by Bobster.
June 16, 20242 yr 5 hours ago, Bobster. said: If were on the BC, I would stipulate that the system must be registered with the municipality or Eskom as required. Registration costs to be for the unit owner's account. If Eskom/Municipality come looking for unregistered installations, and find one, it is likely the BC that will be held responsible. In my case (Johannesburg) the City sent a team to inspect and test. Things like earthing, the installation itself (including safety warning labels) and the behaviour of the system when losing a grid connection and then when it reconnects. So you also get some confidence in the installation after this - and the City (in my case) or Eskom has seen it and checked it. Edited June 16, 20242 yr by Bobster.
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