Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels contain a semiconductor material (typically silicon-based) which converts sunlight into direct-current (DC) electricity. An on-site inverter converts the DC power to AC power, which can then be connected to a building’s power supply or directly to the electricity grid. The system can convert solar rays into AC power 230V/ 50Hz.

Perform a spot check to determine if your roof if free of shaded by trees, mountains or other buildings? Is your roof is flat or mainly sloped in a northerly direction and has an uninterrupted northern exposure? If you have answered ‘yes’ to these questions your home, office or building may be ideal for solar PV.

Despite using energy at night, a solar PV installation, coupled with batteries, could still be a fantastic solution. Nighttime energy users can make use of PV energy by storing the excess produced during the day in a Lithium Ion battery. The battery will be charged during the day by solar energy, and can then be discharged when the power is required during the evening hours when the energy is required. The batteries can also be cycled for peak demand minimization which will make the business case even stronger.

Apart from some areas under the Cape Town Municipality and some other exceptions, this is still illegal in South Africa unless you want to start a solar farm with >1MW output.

Preferably a deep cycle, high cycle AGM gel battery. A deep cycle gel battery must be used in this application as it has a much higher cycle life than standard backup batteries and these batteries are therefore normally more expensive than standby batteries. Standard batteries can be use but have a much shorter cycle life.

Off-Grid / Standalone PV Solar System: For situations where mains power is not available, or the client wishes to become completely independent of the grid. All power is generated by the solar panels; a battery bank stores excess power for use at night or when the sun is not shining.