The solar panels should be in the sun preferably all day to be able to produce solar power/energy. The panels also need to be facing the same direction, installed perfectly to harvest as much of the sun’s rays as possible. Thus, north-facing is best in South Africa.
Solar Panels on Thatch Roofs
Tiled and corrugated roofs with a simple design are perfect for installing solar panels, but thatched roofs are highly flammable and it is seriously dangerous to have solar panels installed on top of “dry grass or reeds”, that is – your thatch roof!
A solar panel installation on a complex shaped roof will require elaborate mounting kits, which will take longer to install, costing more for labour and materials.
Thatched roofs are not suitable for solar panels at all. There’s no mounting system designed for thatch that would allow the solar panels to be ventilated well enough underneath. In addition, the thatch itself would also not be ventilated well enough underneath the panels and would rot. Since thatched roofs already present a fire risk, putting an electrical system on top wouldn’t be sensible and safe at all!
Read more: https://solar.co.za/
Still further, solar panels require maintenance and cleaning as any other system to keep functioning optimal. Solar panels work by converting light into electricity. If there is dirt on the surface of the solar panel, it can reduce how much light is absorbed by that area, reducing efficiency. Cleaning solar panels reduce dust, debris, and other contaminants such as leaves, bugs, rodent/bird droppings, dead rodents, bats, or birds trapped between panels and roof, etc. which could further reduce efficiency.
Considering that cleaning solar panels involves roof height & slope, water and electricity – this process and combined factors are a HUGE challenge, especially where the roof is high with a 45 degrees slope, and includes grass/thatch (even if covered by Harvey tiles) that are not only flammable, but excess/standing water can cause rotting and leaking of the underlying thatch roof layer.
Regulatory Requirements BEFORE installing a Solar System
Before you accept a quote for your solar project (typically some solar panels, an inverter and a battery or two), there are several regulatory requirements to bear in mind, and the best way to ensure that you comply with everything (quite apart from the safety aspect) is to choose an installer with a good track record and the right qualifications. Bear in mind that you will need your installer to issue a valid compliance certificate for the system for several reasons:
- To complete the process of getting the system authorised (see below),
- To add the system to your property’s insurance,
- To ensure that the system’s warranties aren’t voided, and
- To allow you to claim the new tax rebate (read more).
You will need to register the system for authorisation and pre-approval with either Eskom or your local municipality (whichever supplies your electricity). Also note that authorisation is needed whether or not your system will be feeding electricity back into the grid (view info on SA law site: CLICK HERE). Off-grid residential solar PV installations typically only require registration, which can be done after installation.
Legal experts at Miltons Attorneys, added:
- Failing to register and obtain written authorisation prior to installation could be an expensive business, with some municipalities threatening to use aerial photos, inspections and billing analysis to locate unauthorised systems, which will then attract penalties, contravention notices, and supply disconnection.
- Failure to register might even cause your insurers to reject a claim and that could be disastrous – think for example of a system failure causing a house fire.
- Make sure that all aspects of the installation comply with local regulations to reduce the risk of any future insurance claims being rejected for non-compliance.
For example, check the technical requirements for roof structures (ensure that they can cope with the weight and wind load of panels), also you may or may not need building plans, plus some municipalities have lists of approved inverter makes and models. - Don’t forget to send the compliance certificate to your insurers with an instruction to add your new system to your property/homeowner’s policy.
- If you live in a “community scheme” like a sectional title complex or a homeowner’s association complex, check your Rules and Regulations and get necessary consents upfront.
Andrew Middleton, CEO of GoSolr, says: “The body corporate or homeowners association (HOA) of a residential complex or estate should ensure there is an enabling framework in place that communicates minimum standards for installations to ensure quality, alignment with any aesthetic requirements and safe installations. Where required such framework should provide clarity on areas designated for solar panel installations and how these should be installed (this is likely influenced by architectural guidelines) but also who the responsibility lies with for maintenance, insurance, etc.” (read more).
This is especially important in a residential estates/complex where houses are close to each other and safety compliance/non-compliance of one property directly affect the safety of all surrounding houses and the aesthetic appearance and thus property value of all property within the estate/complex.
Dominique dHotman, ooba Group’s chief strategy officer and head of ooba Solar, adds: “For estate/complex management that have not yet developed policies, it would be important to pre-consider the desired aesthetic of installed systems as it will affect estate/complex appearance and thus property value.”
Regular Solar Panel maintenance and cleaning to ensure optimal functionality & efficiency.
Cost of an approved/compliant Home Solar System
To get you up and running, you need a certified installer to connect your solar panels to a municipal council-approved inverter and energy-storing batteries.
That could easily cost you anything between R60,000 and R400,000. Cash you may not have sitting around and you will need to find the right finance solution for your solar system.
To be able to get finance and the required insurance cover, Miltons Attorneys advised:
- If you propose a “grid-tied system” the installer need to have an Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) registered professional to sign it off.
- The installer must be registered with SAPVIA and the ECB (Electrical Compliance Board of SA).
- The solar PV panels need to be in compliance with SANS/IEC standards and highly recommends that you get a certificate of compliance for SANS/IEC 61215:2015 / SANS/IEC 61646:2016.
According to “experts” and depending on your electricity consumption, initial installation costs of your solar system, and your specific installed solar system, you will get a return on your investments after four (4) to six (6) years. With manufacturers issuing warranties that last up to maximum 25 years, you are likely to begin saving money beyond your sixth year of ownership (read more).
More useful SA links: SolarAdvice, Property24, ClimateBiz, Solar
