What should I consider when buying solar panels?
When looking at having solar panels installed it is important to understand the following.
Is the panel poly or monocrystalline?
What are the panels’ power ratings?
How efficient are the panels at performing their task?
What is the quality of the panels that will be used?
How durable are the panels being used?
What assurances or guarantees are offered by the Manufacturer
What factors affect solar energy?
The only thing that plays a major factor in the performance of your solar panels will be the weather. Days, when the skies are grey and rainy, will decrease the performance of the panels. The less light in the atmosphere the less the panels will work, however, the rain can have a positive effect on the performance of the panels because rain cleans the panels which may improve their performance when the sun returns.
How do solar panels work?
Photovoltaic (PV) or solar cells convert sunlight into electricity. When light strikes the material of the solar cell, it releases electrons that then generate electric current. The sunlight activates the cells in the solar panels, the cells then produce a direct current (DC) which is then converted into an alternating current (AC) electricity by the inverter. This electricity is then fed into the grid to supplement the power usage.
Will my solar panels still function during load shedding?
If your system is grid-tied only, then NO, but if it has batteries and a grid forming inverter, then YES.
How can manufacturers use solar energy efficiently?
By reducing the overall electricity consumption of the building where possible.
Replace conventional lighting systems with LEDs
Run high-consumption devices and machinery during the day when your solar power is most effective
How can manufacturers improve their solar energy?
Avoid installing solar panels in shaded areas
Get professionals to install your system so that it is optimised to its full potential
Clean your solar panels regularly to ensure optimum performance
Daisy Energy provides a full Solar PV feasibility assessment to establish the optimal size of the plant, its projected cash flows and the return on investment, or payback in years
What is the biggest challenge of using solar energy to generate electricity?
During typical “black sky” days with rain, the solar panels will only produce in the region of 10 – 20% of the expected daily yield of a typical day of that time of the year.
It’s 100% clean - Solar is a renewable energy source that reduces our reliance on oil, gas, and coal and produces zero pollution making it an environmentally friendly option for manufacturers.
Are solar systems worth it?
With solar energy being a low-risk investment that yields substantial returns it is something that all high day-time energy users should consider. The model generates an extremely good return on investment ranging from 3-6 years on a plant that will keep generating for 25 years, yielding massive savings in the long term.
Yes, Absolutely, you will get a return on investment by benefitting from cost savings on your monthly electricity bills. Buildings or warehouses with a solid solar infrastructure will demand higher rental or retail prices. Modern production and manufacturing companies will look for solar solutions when looking for new premises.
What is the lifespan of a solar system?
Inverters usually have a life span of about 10 years while Solar PV modules have an average lifespan of between 20-25 years.
What maintenance do solar panels require?
Solar Systems are generally low maintenance and easy to maintain. Annual cleaning of all system components is generally required, while inspections of the System Components for any damage can be conducted less frequently. Solar panels are made from very durable 3.2 – 4mm tempered glass and require washing at least once a year, just with water, no soap.
How much will solar panel maintenance cost?
Between 1 – 2% of the purchase price annually is a good estimate.
Is it better to buy or rent solar panels?
Renting is a better option for companies that are wanting to upgrade their systems as Solar technology advances. After paying off a system for 10 years there is a chance that the technology in the system might become redundant making the investment a waste.
What is the lifespan of a solar inverter?
Solar inverters usually have a lifespan of between 8 and 10 years
Where should a solar inverter be installed?
It is always advised that your inverter should never be installed in direct sunlight and must be in a place with proper ventilation
Can I connect my generator to my solar plant to reduce diesel consumption?
Yes, we called this a PV/Gen Hybrid solution. This solution requires some additional infrastructure when being installed
How much space is required for an industrial solar installation?
Typically, between 7 – 10m2 per kWp DC of Solar panels. 3 Solar panels of 333W cover 6m2 so a minimum space of 6m2 is required for 1000 Watts.
How will the solar panels be mounted?
This can be ground mounted, carport or roof mounted.
Are solar panels difficult to maintain?
Solar panels are made from very durable 3.2 – 4mm tempered glass and require washing at least once a year, just with water, no soap.
What happens when my solar plant gets struck by lightning?
Daisy Energy does full Lighting Risk Assessment reports to ensure we mitigate this risk as much as possible.
How much will I really save on my electricity bills every month?
This will depend on your load profile and self-consumption ratio. For every kWh of solar power, there is the potential to save a kWh of grid power if the load is there to consume the power. A detailed calculation is required to determine the exact amount by subtracting your estimated yearly load profile from the solar plant performance, to determine what is pulled from the grid.
How can I sell electricity back into the Grid with my solar plant?
This is possible in some municipalities but there is an additional cost to change the metering and monthly cost to be able to do this.
Has the price of solar come down over the last 3 years?
Yes, prices have come down from R8 per Watt to R6 per Watt, taking ZAR15/USD as the exchange rate.
Will installing solar panels damage my roof?
If your roof is old and in poor condition, meaning that damage is caused by carefully walking on it, then some cosmetic damage will be caused. If the roof is new and of good quality, then no damage will be caused. Once Daisy Energy gets the go-ahead to construct the plant, a structural engineer is consulted to approve the structural integrity of the roof.
When the grid goes down, will my solar plant be able to continue functioning?
If your system is grid tied only, then NO, but if it has batteries and a grid forming inverter, then YES.
Will my solar panels generate electricity during cloudy, rainy, or snowy days?
During typical “black sky” days with rain, the solar panels will only produce in the region of 10 – 20% of the expected daily yield of a typical day of that time of the year.
What size solar system should I get?
We work on a grid tied system that will provide 1/3 of the average consumption.
Will I qualify for tax credits, rebates, or incentives to help lower the cost of switching to solar?
In principle, only businesses and not individuals can get tax rebates, provided that the business is making a profit, the customer can depreciate the full value of the solar plant in the first year.
What is the average return on investment for a grid-tied solar plant?
In the region of 3 – 5 years for a commercial sized Solar PV system, this depends on a couple of factors namely the tariff applicable to your business, the size of the solar plant and the efficiency of the design.
