Solar Homes - Solar Power Guide
Our focus is to promote the use of solar power in South Africa, whether by providing useful information and tips to help you start using the sun as your energy supply or by helping you promote your own solar products in our solar power classifieds section. We believe there are some really great solar power solutions out there, that if given the chance would transform the whole energy industry.
Use this site to help make your home more energy efficient and eco-friendly!
We have a number of articles on solar power related topics and are constantly adding more. Anyone may add to this collection by filling out this form but we will scrutinise and maybe edit submissions before publishing them.
Also see our solar power companies page for a web directory of South African solar power companies. If you are a solar specialist or own, manage or market a solar power related business, then you will want a listing there.
Anyone can try solar power, but not everyone will find it easy and cost effective at first. A lot of research is being done to improve the return on investment (ROI) of solar equipment and technology is getting better. Many devices like solar geysers are already starting to be used more widely because of their cost effectiveness.
Since we launched this website in early 2011, we have aimed at creating the number one source for people to find information on solar power related to South Africa. With the help of Tony Clark and others we believe Solar Homes is well on the way to achieving this goal.
Solar Panels For Sale In South Africa
This is a guide to the different types of solar panels and cells available in South Africa. A price list has also been provided.
Types Of Solar Panels
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Mono-crystalline Solar Panels
Mono-crystalline Solar Panels are very efficient, even in low-light conditions, because they are made of one large crystal of silicon. They are not common as they are more expensive than Poly-crystalline Solar Panels to manufacture. Mono-crystalline Solar Panels can be ground-mounted or roof-mounted.
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Poly-crystalline Solar Panels
Poly-crystalline Solar Panels are not quite as efficient as Mono-crystalline Solar Panels, but are the most common type because they are less expensive to manufacture. They are made of many small silicon crystals. Poly-crystalline Solar Panels can be ground-mounted or roof-mounted.
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Amorphous or Thin-Film Solar Panels
Amorphous Solar Panels are less efficient than the above two types, therefore they require a larger surface area for the same level of power generation. However they are the cheapest to manufacture. They are made of a thin film of molten silicon that is spread across large plates of stainless steel.
A great advantage of Amorphous Solar Panels over the above two is that they continue to charge when only part of the solar panel receives sun.
They work better in hot climates than traditional solar panels and work well on large vehicles and ships.
Solar Power Systems for your Home
Many people believe that home solar power systems will eventually replace fossil-fuel based energy sources as the way that most people power their homes. This free and never-ending way to create energy is a much better way to create power for your home, and is more affordable than ever.
So, what is the most important thing that you should know about home solar power systems?
Did you know that the amount of energy that is absorbed into the earth, ocean and atmosphere every hour is more than the entire amount of energy that mankind used in the entire year of 2002. That's what MIT's publication "Powering the Planet: Chemical Challenges in Solar Energy Utilization" states. The earth absorbs energy from the sun in the form of heat and light, and the advent of home solar power systems means that the average citizen and homeowner can now put that energy to use!
That said, the most important thing you need to know about home solar power systems is that you can continue making electricity as long as the sun keeps on shining. Even if everyone had one of these amazing systems, you wouldn't run out of energy. These systems are now available to homeowners in the form of photovoltaic solar cells, which convert sun energy into electricity and solar geysers that transfer the sun's energy directly to water, making it hot enough for ordinary home use. The solar cells that most people use for their home solar power systems are arranged into a solar panel.
Adoption of solar photovoltaic technology
Some very useful insights about the adoption of photovoltaic solar panels have been gathered by Carolina Werner de Araujo and Muneera Allie from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Research Findings:
Predominant reasons that motivated people to purchase solar PV systems included:
- Financial benefits and savings
- Going green (environmental concerns)
- Independence from Eskom
Predominant barriers that prevented people from adopting included:
- Price/cost of solar PV systems
- Reliability of power supply
- Lack of information available on solar PV systems
View full report: Adoption of solar photovoltaic technology.pdf
Solar Power and Solar Irradiation in South Africa
South Africa has been a little slow to begin developing its potential for solar power generation, but solar power is now beginning to increase in importance in this country's economy and electricity supply strategy. One of the major inhibiting factors was the high initial cost of setting up a solar power system. However, as the technology has improved and become cheaper, and as the supply of fossil fuel-based electricity has begun to fail to meet demand, leading to both power outages and sharp increases in electricity rates, solar power is fast gaining in popularity, and there are now several suppliers of the technology here. In the last decade a team of South African scientists, led by Professor Vivian Alberts from the University of Johannesburg, developed a revolutionary new technology known as Thin Film Solar Technology (TFST), which uses a metal alloy and is cheaper, thinner and more efficient than the standard silicone technology used. Although it is not yet as widely available as the silicone solar panels in South Africa, it is being produced in bulk in Germany, and will soon become cheaper and easier to get in this country. FHKY4MZ4EC5Q New regulations are now coming into place stipulating that most new buildings should incorporate solar water heating, and should be as energy efficient as possible and reduce their dependence on non-renewable energy, and this will encourage the spread of solar power in the country.