02 Dec Investing in solar power? Consider 3 important aspects before you make the wrong decision
As South Africa’s energy sector continues to navigate a myriad of challenges, there is renewed interest in small-scale embedded generation for homes and businesses – with a prominent focus on solar photovoltaic power. However, Svilen Voychev – Managing Director of Valsa Trading, cautions consumers from making snap decisions when investing in their solar power system.
“Making the wrong choice in solar products can diminish your return on investment, threaten your compliance or, worse, pose health and safety risks,” advises Voychev. “We have seen a growing urgency to set up solar power solutions as the South African power sector finds its way in their energy transition. This transition will take a number of years. In the meantime, people want reliable power, now. However, consumers must be aware that they cannot simply pick a solution off the shelf. There is more to consider,” says Voychev, who says that three important actions are needed.
- Identify your needs
Before investing in your power system, Voychev says it is crucial to identify your needs. This means assessing you consumer profile – your energy use habits on a day-to-day basis. This informs what kind of capabilities you need your system to offer. “Part of this is also to consider the site conditions – the structure and condition of your home or business where the system will be installed. This informs the kind of system and accessories you may need.” Identifying your needs is an important part of setting the context for your power solution.
- Communicate your goal
Next, you need to know what you want out of your system, and to communicate this to your installer or service provider. “Many people want to just keep on the lights and the Wi-Fi during loadshedding, while others may want a more comprehensive solution which helps them reduce municipal energy spend. These goals will effect the kind of investment you need to make to ensure you have the right products.”
Voychev also advises that consumers be open-minded to the possibility of extending their system at a later stage. “Your energy needs are likely to change – based on your own habits and requirements, or based on further challenges in South Africa’s power supply. It is a good idea to future-proof your solution.”
- Know your equipment
“There are a lot of aspects to consider before investing in your equipment. While you may not have the technical background to know the small details, there are some important questions you can ask,” says Voychev. “Firstly, you need to ask about the warranty and the compliance of the system to our local standards. You should also ask about the return on investment. This may be up to 10 years, but your system should last up to 25 years or more. On that point, it is also a good idea to enquire about maintenance and services, and about the after-sales support you can expect from your service provider. You should also ask about the battery storage and its realistic lifespan.”
Voychev concludes by saying, “You wouldn’t buy a car without considering your needs, your goals, and the details of the cars available. Investing in a solar power system requires these same considerations, to ensure you are happy with your end result.”
About Valsa Trading
Valsa Trading is a PV Solar system manufacturer and distributor, supplying PV Solar Mounting System Solutions to resellers, installers and clients installing solar systems for businesses and homes across South Africa.
Media Contact:
Stacey Turnball
Account Manager: SWM Communications
Mobile | 072 427 1680 Email | Stacey@swmcommunications.co.za
Valsa Contact:
Jolene du Plessis
Marketing Supervisor: Valsa Trading
Mobile | 081 469 8646
Email | marketing@valsa.co.za
Office | +27 794 1306