Is Solar expensive, your questions answered
With changing legislation, rising electricity costs, frequent load-shedding and other aggravating conditions, many people are wondering is solar expensive. The enhanced awareness around the need to use renewable energy is also contributing to this question, as people contemplate what the financial side of moving in a greener direction will be.
The fundamental perspective here is that a solar plant should not be viewed as an expense, but rather as an investment. This is because solar systems continue to produce power for many years after they have amortized themselves. These calculations are done incorporating the cost of electricity that the property uses, and the amount of energy that the solar system produces.
This blog post gives a short overview that answers the question is solar expensive and explains this concept in further detail.
Solar energy – how does it work
To start, solar energy works by harnessing the sun’s radiation and converting this into electricity. The sun is an infinite energy source and provides sufficient radiation for people all over Earth to use.
When light strikes the semiconductor material of a solar cell, it releases electrons that generate electric current. A Photovoltaic (PV) panel is a frame with several connected solar cells. The more solar panels are connected together, the more electricity can be produced.
Solar panels produce direct current (DC), not alternating current (AC) electricity. We connect the solar panels to an inverter, which converts the current from DC to AC electricity. This clean electricity from the sun can supplement or replace power from the national grid or a generator and eliminates all the harm of power from fossil fuels. Solar systems can also be connected to the grid, in what is known as a grid-tied system.
Is solar expensive – getting started
Firstly, it is essential to take on the services of a reputable solar company that uses top-quality equipment and commands good expertise. A solar consultant should visit your home or business to assess your requirements, determine the viability of the system, and then provides a quote.
The larger the property, the more energy it uses, the bigger the system will need to be. Likewise, the more space there is available for panels on your roof or land, the bigger the system can be.
The feasibility assessment is vital to ensure that you carefully look at what the system will save you in the long run. New Southern Energy will always request your electricity bills, check the local tariffs, and determine how much the solar system will cost you, as well as what it will save you, prior to going ahead with the installation.
The data at this stage of the process is essential. If these odds are stacked in your favour, then the question of is solar expensive becomes a different matter. It becomes about how much investment will be required to set up a system that meets your needs, and how much the system will save you in the long run.
Most solar systems pay themselves off within 5 – 7 years. However, they produce power for 20 – 25 years. This is when solar starts adding tremendous financial value.
Is solar expensive – how can one determine the investment?
Every solar system is unique and should be custom-built to suit the needs, layout, and resources of your property. Therefore, it is difficult to answer the question is solar expensive, as every system will cost a different amount, and rightly so. The costs of the technology and parts have decreased significantly in the last decade.
However, to give you an idea of what is involved, the main investment is the cost of the system itself. This includes the design, hardware and installation. To view a selection of solar systems that New Southern Energy has built, click here
Is solar expensive – other benefits
Over and above the benefit of lower electricity bills, a solar power system makes a property more environmentally friendly and limits reliance on Eskom. Cleaner energy, together with a reduced carbon footprint is appreciated by many industry bodies, many of whom incorporate this into points or rating systems. Additionally, a solar system increases the value of your property.
Uninterrupted continuation of business and life cannot be emphasized enough as a benefit of going solar, as the value that this adds is often far greater than the simple question of is solar expensive. Access to energy is essential to so many aspects of life, and a reliable supply is invaluable.
