While there has been no load-shedding in over two weeks, solar power system users can still ensure their investment is providing some returns by using self-generated power to reduce their electricity bills.
The first way to get the most out of your solar power system is to ensure you shift as much of your usage as possible to the daytime.
If you have an entry-level 5kWh battery, chances are that even a small four-panel array consisting of 460W units will be able to charge it to full with around three to four hours of sunshine.
All the additional energy it could provide while the sun is shining is wasted while you are away from home.
Although you could upgrade your system with an additional battery use of the extra energy, these are very expensive at about R18,000–R20,000 for a 5kWh unit.
People with bidirectional meters can benefit from excess generation by pushing their additional electricity back into the grid when they don’t require it.
However, these meters cost around R10,000 or higher, and feed-in tariffs are generally much lower than consumption tariffs.
Therefore, it might take a long time for the cost of the meter to be amortised with excess energy feed-in.
Read more...........>>>>>>
The first way to get the most out of your solar power system is to ensure you shift as much of your usage as possible to the daytime.
If you have an entry-level 5kWh battery, chances are that even a small four-panel array consisting of 460W units will be able to charge it to full with around three to four hours of sunshine.
All the additional energy it could provide while the sun is shining is wasted while you are away from home.
Although you could upgrade your system with an additional battery use of the extra energy, these are very expensive at about R18,000–R20,000 for a 5kWh unit.
People with bidirectional meters can benefit from excess generation by pushing their additional electricity back into the grid when they don’t require it.
However, these meters cost around R10,000 or higher, and feed-in tariffs are generally much lower than consumption tariffs.
Therefore, it might take a long time for the cost of the meter to be amortised with excess energy feed-in.
Read more...........>>>>>>