SOLAR ENERGY​ 

WHAT IS SOLAR ENERGY

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• Solar energy is light and other forms of energy given off by the sun. Solar energy is collected and utilised to create current electricity.

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WHAT ARE SOLAR PANELS

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• Solar panels are devices that are mounted in a framework or onto a structure for installation and are utilised to absorb sunlight as a source of energy to generate current electricity.

• A solar panel comprises of a collection of photovoltaic cells (solar), these cells are used to create electricity.

• Solar cells arranged in a pattern similar to a grid can be found on the surface of a solar panel.

• Solar panels are durable, they are not easily affected by weather conditions and their effectiveness decreases at the most by one or two percent per year.

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THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR ?

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• Reduced electricity accounts - Solar power gives you the ability to reduce and in some cases eliminate your electricity bill, enabling you to save on electricity costs.

• Independence from Municipal Electricity - Solar power enables you to utilise the power you gather from the sun to run your household and appliances, this means you would be exempt and unaffected by power outages and load shedding.

• Increase in property value - A solar system is an asset and can be sold with your house. Recent studies have found that houses with solar power systems have a higher property value.

• Return on investment - Since you will be utilising solar power to run your home, your would be guaranteed decrease in your municipal electricity bill thus resulting in your saving money. On average a solar system can be paid back with an estimated time period of 3 to 7 years.

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GOING OFF GRID

 

• Going completely off grid can be done in one big step 

• Going completely off grid can be introduced in phases

• In order to be completely off grid you will require a backup generator

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DIFFERENT OFF GRID SYSTEMS

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OFF GRID /  HYBRID SYSTEMS

 

These solar systems consist of solar panels, a grid tie inverter, battery inverter and batteries. This system utilises your excess solar power to charge your batteries instead of feeding it back to the grid, so that your battery can be cycled at night instead of you making use of Municipal / Eskom power. You indirectly utilise your solar power through the battery until the battery level runs low, thereafter Municipal / Eskom power will be utilised, this is an automatic switch controlled by an automated inverter.

 

BENEFITS

 

• Inverter ensures an automatic switch between solar batteries and Eskom

• Power backup for unexpected power cuts and load shedding

• Life span on batteries is dependant on the type of battery and usage thereof but can generally last between 5 – 15 years.

 

GRID TIED PHOTO VOLTAIC SYSTEMS

 

These solar systems consist of solar panels and a grid tie inverter without batteries. This means that while Municipal / Eskom power is on, the system will be giving you savings. The unfortunate thing about this system is that your power will switch off during unexpected power cuts and load shedding as there is no back up battery. This option is purely for savings purposes.

 

BENEFITS

 

• Cheaper installation costs

• Can be upgraded with a battery back up system in future

• Can feed back into the grid

• Hardly any maintenance and approximately 25 years + lifespan

 

10 Easy ways to prepare yourself to go off grid and save on your electricity bill

 

• LED Lights - They use 10 times less energy and they last longer than your usual bulbs

 

• Switch appliances off at the wall - This can help you conserve energy and save on electricity

 

• Install roof insulations - This can act as a barrier for heat flow and can assist in keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. A well-insulated  home can reduce your electricity bill as you will be saving on heating and cooling costs.

 

• Install a timer on your geyser - A timer help you save money by controlling when the water is heated up, instead of heating the water as you use it. Setting the timer to just before you expect to need hot water means the water is left cool until you need it heated up.

 

• Set your geyser’s thermostat to 55°C or less - The temperature of your geyser should be between 55°C and 65°C. However if you want to save money, it is advisable for you to set it to 55°C, as a lower temperature means less consumption. According to Eskom, switching the geyser’s thermostat temperature from 70°C to 60°C can help you achieve a small saving of 18kWh (= 5%).

 

• Cover your geyser with an insulation blanket - A geyser loses approximately 1°C per hour (this depends on insulation and geyser type), so constant energy is needed to maintain the temperature. However a geyser blanket can cut this energy consumed by half, while making your water system even more efficient

 

• Install an energy saving shower head - The energy saving shower head has an estimated flow rate of 9 litres per minute. This can reduce the amount of water and electricity consumption you use in the shower considerably.

 

• Install a solar or gas geyser - A solar geyser can help you save on your water heating costs. It also lowers your electricity bill significantly as it does not require a mains connection

 

• Make use of gas appliances, ie – Gas Stoves, Gas Heaters - Making use of gas appliances can save you money as gas is cheaper than electricity. In additional to savings your gas appliances will continue working during unplanned power outages and load shedding.

 

• Set your pool pump to run slower for shorter periods of time - Pool pumps typically run at a much higher speed than necessary, which means they are constantly consuming high volumes of energy. Reducing the speed of your pool pump will result in a decrease in energy consumption.

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     AGRICULTURAL SOLAR AND BACKUP PROJECTS

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