Ongoing concerns around the country’s power supply have led to an increased demand for solar power.
Property experts say the switch to solar could not only be beneficial for the environment and our country but could increase the resale value of a property.
Regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett, said going solar can lower the cost of running your home and it has the potential to increase the resale value of the property.
“In South Africa, green features are becoming increasingly popular among buyers, especially as a result of the ongoing load-shedding and the prevalence of droughts in our country,” he explained.
Noticing the importance of alternative energy solutions, Ian Ross, broker/owner of RE/MAX One, has recently partnered with Union Power Energy, a solar power company with an installation footprint in all major centres across South Africa.
“Lowering our individual carbon footprint is a must. In a sun-rich country such as South Africa, I strongly believe solar is the economic and environmentally responsible answer to powering our homes,” he said.
As a result of this partnership, Ross has gained insights into the solar power industry. He explained that while solar power can be costly, it is likely to become a necessity in most households.
“Solar systems can range from R50 000 to R500 000 depending on the home and how far the homeowner wants to go to be independent of the grid. The capital outlay is heavy. If the consumer could pay this off over a period using the savings they make from not utilising the national grid, it would make perfect sense,” he said.
Thankfully, this option exists in the form of home finance. “The criteria may differ slightly from bank to bank but all major banks welcome the financing of both residential, commercial, and industrial solar power systems.
Access bonds on homes are the cheapest and quickest way to go other than upfront cash outlay,” he recommended.
Most homes are suitable for hybrid solar systems, but every house, apartment, building, factory or site comes with various challenges. Ross said older houses are more challenging as wiring and existing infrastructure is old or outdated.
For these kinds of homes, as well as for commercial and industrial properties, a more detailed assessment should be carried out before a quotation. This can be arranged over a video call or a personal visit from one of the preferred installers in the area.
For residential homes, Ross explained the assessment can be completed via a detailed questionnaire.
“When conducting the assessment, solar power installation companies will ask key questions about the home.
These include enquiring about the roof type to decide on the panel mounting structure. Tile roof, IBR, corrugated, clip lock or flat concrete slab are all suitable options. They will also ask where the main DB is situated in the home for installation purposes and cable runs,” he said.
He advised that most systems are IP65 rated to withstand the elements to a certain extent but should be positioned away from water points.
“Some systems can be placed outside in a suitable area if it is covered and free from direct rain. Coastal areas pose a challenge due to excessive moisture, rust and wind. In these cases, the correct mounting structure must be insisted upon – stainless steel or aluminium,” he said.
Those living in apartments might face greater challenges owing to roof space access. “There are smaller backup systems available that can be suitable for apartments, but there are many other product offerings available for those who want to go off-grid, such as gas cooking, gas geysers, and solar geysers. Borehole water with a filtration system can also be added to reduce a household’s reliability on the council water supply,” he recommended.
Ultimately, however one goes about it, reducing reliance on the national grid can benefit both the homeowner as well as the environment and might even add some value to the home.
