Solar power system installations plummeted in the first half of 2024 in South Africa

Daniel Puchert

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South Africa's private solar collapse — and how it could make a comeback

Solar power system installations in South Africa plummeted in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year but still recorded rapid adoption overall.

That is according to data on small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) registrations from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) and Eskom's estimates of private rooftop solar installations.
 
After suffering through LS for years, finally installed inverter and battery in December 2023. Then LS stopped a few months later 🤬. But will still install panels this year so that the system can start paying for itself.
 
Well, this depends. CoCT takes detailed pictures of the city and then compares them. It is very easy to see solar panels on a roof, especially for a machine.

Sure, but Cape Town is the only municipality that I'm aware of that has the resources to do this. Everywhere else in the country is a free for all. My point though is that private solar capacity is likely far higher than anyone can guess due to either municipalities lacking any rules, or the capacity to enforce those rules if they have them.
 
Sure, but Cape Town is the only municipality that I'm aware of that has the resources to do this. Everywhere else in the country is a free for all. My point though is that private solar capacity is likely far higher than anyone can guess due to either municipalities lacking any rules, or the capacity to enforce those rules if they have them.
Just goes to show that this draconian Cape Town laws is not a safety thing, as the rest of the country hasn’t burnt down yet.
 
After suffering through LS for years, finally installed inverter and battery in December 2023. Then LS stopped a few months later 🤬. But will still install panels this year so that the system can start paying for itself.
yea once in the deep end with inverter and battery

if you look just at the panels you're looking at 2 years for the panels to ROI just themselves
the bonus is you can add the panels as cash allows

ie minimum to meet the mppt startup and then add extra as you have spare cash
dependant on panels/inverter startup voltage you can start with just 2/3/4/5

2 x72 cell/3 x60 cell on low voltage mppt

on high voltage mppt
4 x 72 cell panel
5 x 60 cell panel
 
After suffering through LS for years, finally installed inverter and battery in December 2023. Then LS stopped a few months later . But will still install panels this year so that the system can start paying for itself.

Shame you bought the most expensive components, so definitely must add panels. We took the plunge Jan this year and loadshedding literally ended but our electricity consumption was quite high and we sized the system such that even in winter we are saving an average of 40-50% so not so grumpy. In summer we literally do not buy any prepaid. Also contributing our bit to saving the planet and loving all the data I get from the system. I treat the system like one of my toys, just a very pricey one with the added advantage of making my life easier when there is power outage.
 
I had my system installed in Dec 2023 - thanks to no loadshedding, I can set my battery limits a lot lower before it charges from the grid, and therefore I haven't needed to import any power through the Winter. I love not having to buy any electricity anymore. Still worth it, especially with the electricity rates going up. I plan to add an additional battery in the future just to carry us through rainy days.
 
Shame you bought the most expensive components, so definitely must add panels. We took the plunge Jan this year and loadshedding literally ended but our electricity consumption was quite high and we sized the system such that even in winter we are saving an average of 40-50% so not so grumpy. In summer we literally do not buy any prepaid. Also contributing our bit to saving the planet and loving all the data I get from the system. I treat the system like one of my toys, just a very pricey one with the added advantage of making my life easier when there is power outage.
The plan was always to add panels, first priority was to not to be affected by LS but did not expect it to end.
 
If all goes according to plan, we'll be pulling the trigger on a system in the next few months. 10/12x 600W (or close enough to that) panels - Canadian Solar or JA Solar, I'm not picky, 10 kVA Victron Multiplus II, and 10 kWh of battery capacity (mostly to get the house through the night).

Or we can get a 5 kVA inverter and just parallel a second one later if needed - the oven and geyser element can be connected as non-essential loads.
 
If all goes according to plan, we'll be pulling the trigger on a system in the next few months. 10/12x 600W (or close enough to that) panels - Canadian Solar or JA Solar, I'm not picky, 10 kVA Victron Multiplus II, and 10 kWh of battery capacity (mostly to get the house through the night).

Or we can get a 5 kVA inverter and just parallel a second one later if needed - the oven and geyser element can be connected as non-essential loads.
non essential loads don't work during loadshedding or for the 7 days after the substation blew up.
 
**** me, is Victron cheaper than Deye now?
View attachment 1747328View attachment 1747329
If you add the Cerbo GX unit for control and monitoring, it equals the price of the Deye. Or you can buy the GX model which includes a system "hub". Swings and roundabouts. Of course you need to also budget for separate MPPTs, but that's the price you pay for modularity.

The pricing gets even more interesting when you jump to 10 kVA - Herholdts currently has the Victron Multiplus II for R 29 210, and the Sunsynk for R39 330. Add the Cerbo GX and 2x MPPT equivalent to the ones in the Sunsynk / Deye, and you're only about R2k over with the Victron.
 
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