What you need to know about rooftop solar

One of the things most talked about following this year's State of the Nation and Budget speeches is "rooftop solar". But what exactly is this, and how could it help to alleviate SA's shortage of electricity capacity? 

Rooftop solar refers to photovoltaic (PV) solar panels that are installed on the roofs of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings to generate electricity from sunlight. The panels convert the sun's energy into direct current (DC) electricity, which is then converted into alternating current (AC) electricity by an inverter and used to power the building or perhaps, if this is allowed, fed back into the local or national grid to help power other homes or businesses.

An alternative is to store the excess electricity in batteries and use them to power your home when it is dark or during loadshedding. 

 And there are several other benefits of rooftop solar, too, including:

*Cost savings: Rooftop solar can significantly reduce or eliminate your monthly electricity bill and may even help you to earn some money. The SA government is currently in the process of deciding how much homeowners and commercial building owners will be paid when they feed excess power back into the grid.

*Energy independence: By generating much or all of their own electricity, homeowners can become less reliant on the traditional grid and are not only able to hedge against rising electricity prices, but also to avoid the effects of loadshedding on their home security and appliances.

*Environmental benefits: Rooftop solar helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution associated with traditional sources of electricity generation.

*Increased property value: Properties with rooftop solar systems can often command higher prices compared to similar properties without them. And thanks to the introduction of a government guarantee, it is now much easier for homeowners in SA to get bank loans to finance rooftop solar systems.

*Government incentives: Many governments offer tax credits, rebates, and other financial incentives for building owners who install rooftop solar systems. The SA government has, for example, just announced that households will for the next year be able to claim a rebate of 25% of whatever they spend on PV panels, capped at R15 000. Businesses will also be able to reduce their taxable income by 125% of whatever they invest in renewables, without limit, for two years. 

*Grid stability: Rooftop solar can help to stabilize the electricity grid by reducing peak demand and adding clean energy to the mix.

However, to maximise the value of a rooftop solar system, it is vital that homeowners use good quality materials and hire a qualified and certified provider who can accurately measure the number of PV panels they will need, and ensure that the system is correctly and safely installed.