What Does It Cost to Install Solar?
Converting your home to green energy should be seen as an investment rather than an expense, as it allows you to save money on your utility bills each month while reducing your carbon footprint. The cost of installing a solar system is not one-size-fits-all, as it depends on the size and type of system required to meet your household or business electricity needs. Factors such as the type of inverter, the number and size of solar panels, and the type of batteries will all influence the overall cost.
Over the last five years, the surge in demand for solar energy has led to significant advancements in technology and economies of scale, resulting in a notable decrease in the price of solar installations. This makes solar energy more accessible and affordable than ever before. However, the cost can still vary widely depending on your specific requirements.
For example, attempting to back up your entire home during Eskom outages would require both a large inverter and a substantial battery system. A typical budget for such a setup is about R400,000 for a system with 14.98kW of solar power and 29kW of battery capacity. You will also need to consider the space you have available for the number of solar panels required, as this can impact the feasibility and cost of the installation.
Appliances with heating elements, such as geysers (3kW), washing machines (2kW), and dishwashers (2kW), require a significantly larger inverter to be backed up. These appliances draw power continuously, not just during load shedding, so the inverter must be capable of handling their combined load. Additionally, the inverter must account for inductive loads when motors (e.g., in washing machines) start up. For this reason, a minimum inverter size of 15kW is recommended, which typically costs around R44,000 for the Victron Multiplus II 48/15 000.
To reduce the size and cost of the backup battery and inverter, your electrical distribution board (DB board) can be split into two sections: "Essential" (e.g., lights, fridges, TVs) and "Non-Essential" (e.g., stoves, floor heating, and other high-power appliances). This may require some electrical reconfiguration, as backup is done on a circuit-by-circuit basis. For instance, if your TV is on the same circuit as your kitchen, additional wiring may be needed to separate these loads.
In terms of return on investment (ROI), a solar-only system (without backup) typically pays for itself in about 3-4 years, which is a relatively short period. However, adding a backup system significantly increases the upfront cost, extending the ROI to around 12 years. Using a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery can help improve ROI slightly, as these batteries can be intentionally cycled at night and recharged by solar during the day. While this may reduce the payback period, the exact savings can be difficult to calculate. That said, the peace of mind provided by a backup system during load shedding is invaluable.
At ExSolar, we only quote and supply trusted brands such as Victron, Sunsynk, Deye, Solar MD, and Freedom Won. These brands are known for their reliability, performance, and durability, ensuring that your solar system operates efficiently for years to come. Our goal is to find a solar solution that fits your budget and energy needs.
To receive a free, customised quote, kindly fill out our property questionnaire, and we’ll work with you to design a system that meets your requirements.
Converting your home to green energy should be seen as an investment rather than an expense, as it allows you to save money on your utility bills each month while reducing your carbon footprint. The cost of installing a solar system is not one-size-fits-all, as it depends on the size and type of system required to meet your household or business electricity needs. Factors such as the type of inverter, the number and size of solar panels, and the type of batteries will all influence the overall cost.
Over the last five years, the surge in demand for solar energy has led to significant advancements in technology and economies of scale, resulting in a notable decrease in the price of solar installations. This makes solar energy more accessible and affordable than ever before. However, the cost can still vary widely depending on your specific requirements.
For example, attempting to back up your entire home during Eskom outages would require both a large inverter and a substantial battery system. A typical budget for such a setup is about R400,000 for a system with 14.98kW of solar power and 29kW of battery capacity. You will also need to consider the space you have available for the number of solar panels required, as this can impact the feasibility and cost of the installation.
Appliances with heating elements, such as geysers (3kW), washing machines (2kW), and dishwashers (2kW), require a significantly larger inverter to be backed up. These appliances draw power continuously, not just during load shedding, so the inverter must be capable of handling their combined load. Additionally, the inverter must account for inductive loads when motors (e.g., in washing machines) start up. For this reason, a minimum inverter size of 15kW is recommended, which typically costs around R44,000 for the Victron Multiplus II 48/15 000.
To reduce the size and cost of the backup battery and inverter, your electrical distribution board (DB board) can be split into two sections: "Essential" (e.g., lights, fridges, TVs) and "Non-Essential" (e.g., stoves, floor heating, and other high-power appliances). This may require some electrical reconfiguration, as backup is done on a circuit-by-circuit basis. For instance, if your TV is on the same circuit as your kitchen, additional wiring may be needed to separate these loads.
In terms of return on investment (ROI), a solar-only system (without backup) typically pays for itself in about 3-4 years, which is a relatively short period. However, adding a backup system significantly increases the upfront cost, extending the ROI to around 12 years. Using a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery can help improve ROI slightly, as these batteries can be intentionally cycled at night and recharged by solar during the day. While this may reduce the payback period, the exact savings can be difficult to calculate. That said, the peace of mind provided by a backup system during load shedding is invaluable.
At ExSolar, we only quote and supply trusted brands such as Victron, Sunsynk, Deye, Solar MD, and Freedom Won. These brands are known for their reliability, performance, and durability, ensuring that your solar system operates efficiently for years to come. Our goal is to find a solar solution that fits your budget and energy needs.
To receive a free, customised quote, kindly fill out our property questionnaire, and we’ll work with you to design a system that meets your requirements.