Living off the grid, a worthwhile long-term investment
The average Springs household draws between 3kW to 5kW of energy during peak times daily. That figure can be reduced by using energy-efficient cooking and practising basic energy-saving habits. The other main means of reducing energy usage involves solar technologies.
Installing solar energy devices may be expensive in the short term, but in the long-term, the benefits outweigh the costs. The cost of living off the grid can range from R60,000 to R150,000. Living off the grid means that a house or residential unit is disconnected from the Eskom power network completely and every megawatt of electricity is generated on the property. It means having no cables connecting the house to the outside world.
Your solar energy options
According to Sunny Morgan from Enerlogy there are three distinctly different options for solar panels. The first is a grid-tied solar photovoltaic system. This system is used when the primary objective is to save on your electricity bill. The energy source is free, so day-time electricity can be considered free energy, he said.
“The downside is that this system needs the grid in order to operate. Should the grid fail, this system will also go down.”
The second option is the off-grid system. This system is typically installed where there is no grid access.
The third is the hybrid system. This comprises of solar panels or wind turbines that are the energy source and batteries as the storage medium.
Roll your mouse over the info bar below to find out how much it costs to set up a solar system for an average three-bedroom house.
Batteries can be excluded, but if people want to have power when there is a grid failure due to load shedding, cable theft or routine maintenance, then batteries are recommended.
Savings
“Based on projected electricity increases, I would say that the savings will be significant. Assuming a R1.67 per kW cost (not unrealistic after the 2015 increases), the pay-back of a grid-tied system is around six years. The professionally-installed system, using first-rate equipment will produce energy for 20 to 25 years, with minimal maintenance. Hover your mouse over the info bar below to read how savings are calculated.
“If your solar system is coupled to batteries/storage then it makes perfect sense. The main issue at present is even though solar component prices keep falling, the price of storage/batteries is still relatively high,” he said.
Case studies
Kim and Miranda Taylor of Westville in Kwa-Zulu Natal live in a three-bedroom house with a pool and garden. Six months ago, Kim decided to get off the grid because of load shedding and because he believes in “going green.”
They have reduced their consumption from 2 000kW to around 200 to 300kW by taking the following steps:
- Changing all the light bulbs to LED
- Cooking with gas
- Installing a solar hot water system
- Setting up photovoltaic cells
They have 12 panels wired in pairs on their roof. “The power is taken to a charge control point, then to a converter which converts it to volts. From there it is fed into the house,” he said. Kim would not disclose how much he spent, but said it “was expensive, but definitely worth it.”
Their lifestyle has not changed much, except they have become very conscious of basic electricity saving measures such as switching off non-essential appliances and turning off lights and appliances which are not in use. They run their pool pump for only a couple hours a day, not 12 like they used to. Kim admits he is spending a little more on chlorine because of this.
“If people can afford it, we would advise them to do the same not only in their interests, but in the interests of the country at large,” he said.
About 49M: The 49M campaign was launched in March 2011 as a response to the country’s constrained power system. The campaign encourages individuals and corporates to lead energy smart lifestyles thereby saving the planet and their pockets. South Africans are encouraged to join the campaign by visiting www.49m.co.za to pledge their support. Go to the 49M Facebook page or tweet @49m_Co_Za.
