General
What is solar energy?
A solar energy system creates usable power from sunshine. There are two basic kinds of systems: Photovoltaic or PV uses sunlight to generate electricity. It’s the same technology found on pocket calculators, just on a larger scale. PV systems can be designed to generate the majority of the electricity used in your home, or just a portion of it.
Does solar only work on warm and sunny days?
Solar systems work even when it’s cloudy. Clouds don’t stop the solar UV rays from getting through and power production from Photovoltaic solar panels actually works most efficiently in colder temperatures. Optimum temperature for power production is around 43 degrees Fahrenheit
How does solar help the environment?
Fossil fuels are a leading cause of global warming and air pollution. Solar energy reduces the amount of fossil fuel that is burned, thus reducing the pollutants and CO² that get into the atmosphere. Solar energy systems that are recommended by Solar Energy World have the added benefits of very high efficiency, durability, and service life – they’re engineered for sustainability. This means fewer replacements and repairs, saving even more energy and precious resources
How does a solar energy system benefit me personally?
In many ways: It reduces your energy bill and the utility will buy back any extra electricity you generate. Federal, state, and utility financial incentives are also available in many areas. It adds to the value of your home. You gain energy independence. It’s a good investment in a sustainable future for yourself and your loved ones.
What regular maintenance do I need to do?
With systems that we recommend, very little. PV systems are inherently very low-maintenance, requiring the system owner only to wash the solar modules down with water when they get dirty so light can get through.
How long will my system last?
If properly installed, it should last 30-40 years. Systems that were installed in the 1970’s are still fully operational today. Technology has evolved so the systems from the 1970’s may not be as efficient as today’s technology.
How much does a solar energy system cost?
It is impossible to give a simple answer, since this depends on system capacity, home layout, and other variables. Certainly the cost has gone down dramatically in recent years, and now there are many tax breaks, electricity buy-back programs, and incentives. Please contact us for pricing and more information.
What is a kilowatt hour?
This is what you pay for when you buy energy from the local utility company. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit for measuring energy. It is, as its name suggests, one kilowatt of power used over a period of one hour.
What is the minimum equipment I'll need?
The basic components required to produce electricity from the sun are: One or more Solar Panels, a Charger Controller, a Power Inverter, and of course, Batteries.
Warranty on products
The warranty on all Solar Solved Africa products is only valid if you have your original tax invoice, COC and photos of the installation. All products have to brought in for testing or charging if there is a problem. Testing or charging of products will only be conducted when the charge of R450. Excluding VAT is paid.
Terms and Conditions
These terms and conditions: • Represent the entire agreement between the parties and no alterations or additions may be affected unless agreed to by both parties, reduced to writing and signed by you and a duly authorized representative of Solar Solved Africa. • Are subject to change and you agree that any order placed shall be subject to the terms and conditions in force at the time the order was placed. • Are final and binding and are not subject to any suspensive or dissolutive condition. • Expressly exclude any conflicting conditions stipulated by you. • Apply to all employees, servants, and agents of Solar Solved Africa. Quotations All quotes and proforma invoices will remain valid for a period of 24Hours (one) calendar day from the date of issue. Payment Options & Terms Solar Solved Africa accepts the following payment methods: • (EFT) Electronic Funds Transfer • Cash Deposits – 5% bank levy applies. • Cash payments in person. • Card payments in person. It is your responsibility to determine whether the goods ordered are suitable for the purpose of intended use. Should you be uncertain as to the suitability of a product, please contact our offices for assistance prior to placing your order. Delivery We as Solar Solved Africa don’t do any deliveries and don’t arrange couriers. Couriers should be arranged accordingly. Please give couriers a tax invoice number. Pricing Prices are subject to change and new stock will have new prices. Change of Orders All orders and variations to orders are subject to these terms and conditions. Only written orders and variations to orders will be accepted by Solar Solved Africa. Notwithstanding the above, Solar Solved Africa may, at its sole discretion, elect to accept and act upon telephonic orders and any variations to orders. Solar Solved Africa, however, reserves the right to refuse collection of any order until placed in possession of a written order form. Cancellation of Orders Requests for cancellation of an order, prior to delivery, must be submitted in writing to accounts@solarsolved.co.za. No refunds will, however, be furnished on deposits in the event of cancellation for specially ordered or manufactured goods. If a refund must be done a valid bank letter should be sent to accounts@solarsolved.co.za. Any order is subject to cancellation by Solar Solved Africa should the goods ordered become unavailable due to any cause beyond Solar Solved Africa reasonable control. A 20% handling fee will be added after 5 days. Guarantees and Warranties All Solar Solved Africa products warranties are carried by the suppliers of Solar Solved Africa. All products returned to Solar Solved Africa should be brought in with a valid Tax Invoice from Solar Solved Africa, photos of the installation and a valid COC from a qualified installer. The warranty shall immediately be rendered null and void in the event of any of the following: • Failure to use the products in accordance with instructions and specifications provided by the Manufacturer. • Should the product have been subjected to physical damage, abuse, misuse, alteration, neglect, tampering, improper maintenance, or has been serviced, repaired, installed by persons not possessing the necessary qualifications required to do so. • The product is not returned with an invoice/verifiable method confirming proof of purchase. Returns You may return goods in the following instances: • Within 7 (seven) days of the date of the receipt of the goods if the transaction falls within the scope of Section 44 of the Electronic Communications and Transmissions Act. The return policy excludes items contemplated in Section 42(2) of the aforementioned Act. • If the product is unopened and has not been used in those 7 days. Notwithstanding the above, Solar Solved Africa shall not be required to accept the return of any goods, unless defective within the warranty period, if at your direction the goods have been: • partially or entirely disassembled. • physically altered. • permanently installed, affixed, or attached. • Joined or added to or blended or combined or embedded within other goods or property. Repairs If a battery is brought in for testing the inverter used with the battery should be brought in with it for testing the same for inverters. Testing for all products will be an amount of R450.00 Excluding VAT. A report on a product that is no longer in working condition will be R850.00 Excluding VAT. • Repairs are done by the suppliers and can range from 3-5 weeks and weekends are not included. • Solar Solved Africa can only do repairs on products branded with the Solar Solved Africa logo. (Axpert Inverters, Oliter batteries and Akkutech batteries) • If a product is out of warranty no repairs will be done to that product.
Power Inverters
Do I need a Power Inverter?
Actually, no. This is the only component of a solar energy system that is not absolutely required. However, if you don't use one, you will not have 120 volts AC and will have use battery power alone. This might be acceptable in a small RV or cabin, but most people want to use normal AC appliances
What's the difference between 12, 24, and 48 volt inverters?
This refers to the input voltage from the battery bank. The main consideration is that at higher voltages the current is less so that you can use smaller wires between your solar panel array and your battery bank. Of course, when you decide on a system voltage, the Solar Panels, Inverter, and Battery Bank all need to use the same voltage.
What is a Grid Tie inverter?
If you are connected to normal Utility company power and just want to add some Free Sun Power electricity to reduce your electric bill and you do not need a independent system, it is possible that a Grid Tie inverter will suit your needs. With a Grid Tie inverter, whatever electricity that your solar panels produce will reduce the amount supplied by the power company, in effect lowering your bill. For this setup a large battery bank to store the power for later use is not needed. Unless you have frequent power company outages, you will not need any batteries at all.
What's the difference between a pure sine wave inverter and a modified sine wave inverter?
The AC sine wave of a pure sine wave inverter is just as good as the utility company's AC power. A modified sine wave inverter is not as close, but is still quite satisfactory in most cases. Certain motor control circuits don't like the modified wave. Modified sine wave inverters are also much less expensive.
Storage Batteries
What is meant by Flooded batteries?
Flooded batteries have those little caps on top and you must add water (distilled) to them from time to time as the charging process boils off some of the water as hydrogen gas. They should be installed in vented boxes and not used indoors or near spark or flame.
What is a sealed battery?
Not to be confused with maintenance free, a sealed battery has no service caps and water is never added. They also do not out gas during the charging process and are safe to use indoors. This usually means that the temperature of the battery will be more constant which translates into more efficient operation.
Should I use Flooded or Sealed batteries?
While you can safely use sealed types indoors, they are more expensive than flooded types. So, cost factors and where you plan to locate the batteries are the main deciding factors.
Correct Cables & Wire sizes
Why is wire size so important?
In order to obtain maximum energy transfer from your solar panels, the wires running to your equipment centre need to be large enough to carry the current. Also, if they are too small, it is possible they could overheat & even catch fire. Just like water in a pipe, if the pipe is too small, then not enough water can pass through it. And, if you try to force the water through with more pressure, the pipe will begin leaking from the excess pressure just like the wire will begin to overheat with too much current passing through it.
What about the rest of the system?
The wires between the Charge Controller and the Batteries can be the same size as the wires from the Solar Panels. However, all the batteries and the inverter need to be connected with very large cables. These cables will usually be 2/0 or 4/0 gauge cables like the large battery cables in cars. The size of your battery bank and inverter will determine the minimum size and should be covered in detail in the instructions that come with your inverter.
What if I need a new roof or am building a new house?
This is the ideal situation for installing solar. Before laying the roof, you can install flashable mounting brackets that provide the highest level of protection from leakage
How many solar panels do I need to produce enough electricity to run my house?
The array size you need depends on your average electrical usage, climate, roof angle, shading problems and many other factors. To approximate the array size you need, multiply your average daily electrical demand in kilowatt-hours by 0.25. The result is the approximate size of solar array, in kilowatts, needed to meet your electrical demand.
Will a system produce enough energy to cover all my electricity needs?
It is important to understand that a solar electric system does not need to provide all of the electricity you need to be of great value. A small system that displaces an average of one-quarter to one-half of your average demand reduces your electric bill. With battery backup, it can deliver uninterrupted power to critical loads during utility outages for days or weeks. We are happy to provide you with a system that supplies 100 percent of your energy needs, but cutting your electricity by 40 to 50 percent is typically the most cost-efficient approach for home solar power.
What other options do I have if the system cannot be mounted on my roof?
If a roof-mounted system proves impractical, a ground-mount, trellis or pergola application may be an option
How much power will a residential system produce?
The amount of power produced by a system varies depending on the size of the system, your geographic location and climate and whether the system has a battery backup.
How long will my solar power system last?
With no moving parts and made of very inert materials, our solar modules are tough. Most of the related system components should also last for many years without problems. The batteries in our residential system may need replacement in five to 10 years.