Solar Panels for South Africa

Despite common knowledge, you don't actually need to get solar panels to have backup power for loadshedding. It is fully possible to get a battery backup without panels, which may be desirable if your neighbour is throwing shade your way, or if you want to budget and get the panels later.

Which solar panels are best in South Africa?

Possibly the better question is which type and size do you need. This will depend on the design of your system, which is usually better done by a solar installer. The popular brands are:

Canadian Solar - Canadian Solar is a leading manufacturer of solar panels with a wide range of high-efficiency products that are suitable for residential and commercial installations. Note that the panels are NOT made in Canada, this is a Chinese brand.
Trina Solar - Trina Solar is another leading manufacturer of solar panels with a strong focus on efficiency, reliability, and performance.
Sunpower - Sunpower is known for its high-efficiency solar panels that are designed to maximize energy production even in low light conditions.
JA Solar - JA Solar is a Chinese manufacturer of solar panels with a strong reputation for quality, efficiency, and affordability.
SolarWorld - SolarWorld is a German manufacturer of solar panels that offers high-quality and durable products that are suitable for harsh weather conditions.

Efficiency, size, durability, theft and warranty are going to be the factors to look at. Efficiency is not critical until you have lots of cloud cover like Johannesburg has in summer. Generally you can get away with just getting more solar panels but if space is at a premium, then the German manufactureres will probably be best.

Solar panels should be hail resistant but probably not theft resistant. If you need to keep your panels from growing legs, then you will need custom steel work on your solar panels to hold them down.

So if all solar panels are much the same, which should I choose?

The big difference will be on cloudy days. Solar panels can still generate electricity on cloudy days, but their efficiency may be reduced. When choosing solar panels for areas with frequent cloud cover, it's important to consider the panels' efficiency under low light conditions. Here are some types of solar panels that are known for their performance in cloudy weather:

Monocrystalline solar panels - Monocrystalline solar panels are known for their high efficiency and good performance under low light conditions. These panels are made from single silicon crystals, which make them more efficient in converting sunlight into electricity.
Bifacial solar panels - Bifacial solar panels have solar cells on both sides, allowing them to absorb sunlight from both the front and the back. This makes them more efficient in generating electricity under cloudy skies or indirect sunlight.
Thin-film solar panels - Thin-film solar panels are made from a thin layer of photovoltaic material, making them flexible and lightweight. These panels can generate electricity even in low light conditions and are ideal for cloudy or overcast areas.
Polycrystalline solar panels - Polycrystalline solar panels are made from multiple silicon crystals and are known for their good performance in low light conditions.

It is worth noting that cloudy conditions in SA are rare, unlike the UK, so it is not a major factor that should influence your decision.

Tax on Solar panel usage in South Africa

Most countries offer tax incentives for solar systems, some countries might tax the importation of solar panels. South Africa seems to be unique in wanting to tax the use of solar panels, made more ridiculous by the government's inability to produce enough electricity.

It can be assumed that a bunch of muppets who cannot collect payment from those whom are receiving electricity through a fixed cable are unlikely to effectively collect payment from people who are not physically connected to the electricity grid. Non compliance of payment of solar panel tax would seem like the best strategy, something like the refusal to pay for eTolls in Gauteng.

In 2023 the SA government announced that there will be up to R15000 in tax rebates for solar installations starting from 1 March 2023. This does not help the poor at all but may assist more wealthy home owners reduce their dependence on the Eskom power grid. Bizarely the rebate sets limits on the solar panels to only 275W, when most installed panels are 400W and above. This rebate is only for the period 1 March 203 to 29 February 2024.

Where can solar panels be installed?

Solar panels need sunlight. Try to maximise the sunlight available to the solar panels to maximise the amount of energy that you get from your panels, especially in cloudy conditions. Factors to consider:

shade: trees are the culprit here. Avoid placing solar panels where trees will cover the panels with shade at any time of the day.
roof angle: In mid summer solar panels need to be at 3 degrees from the horizontal in Johannesburg and 49 degrees in mid winter. Your roof is almost certainly in this range.
Orientation to the sun: The sun rises in the East and moves Northward, then sets in the West. In the morning you will need more light as your solar batteries will be at their lowest charge early in the morning. Getting light from the East is a good idea.
Local climate: Johannesburg gets cloudy in summer, when the sun is high above the horizon. In Winter Johannesburg tends to have clear skies. So you will probably get plenty of light in winter, it is summer that you need to worry about. Optimising the panels so that you get the maximum light in summer may be a good idea, which is approx 3 degrees from the horizontal, almost flat!
local regulations: For most of South Africa regulations mean very little. Municipalities want people with solar panels to register with them so that they can later tax the panels. Like e-tolls, there is no urgency to comply with municipal regulations. Just try to avoid shining sunlight into your neighbours windows as an act of consideration. On the inverter side it is worth complying with regulations as your inverter feeding power onto the grid can be dangerous.

Is finance available for solar panels?

In 2024 solar panels are a no-brainer in South Africa. With an abundance of sunshine and an unreliable grid power supplier, Eskom, South African homes are well placed to get solar power. Any solar system will result in savings on monthly utility bills. This saving can be used to pay off the capital cost of the solar system. Expect the savings to pay off the cost of the solar system in 6 to 12 years. Also expect your solar system to increase the value of your property, so if you plan on selling your home any time soon, then you can recover that cost relatively quickly.

You do not specifically need solar financing. You can also just get a personal loan at a bank.

Most solar installers will be affiliated to finance houses and they will be able to assist. Remember that you are not obliged to get finance from the installers preferred financier.

What is the lifespan of a solar panel?

In Johannesburg solar panels will last until they are stolen. The design life is 25 to 30 years but realistically there is a good chance of them being stolen before then. Make sure that you have solar panels on your home insurance. At 15 years expect the solar panel to output about 80% of its rated power. At 25 years you can expect the solar panel to degrade so that you only get 70% of the rated power of the solar panel.

Do solar panels need cleaning?

Dust and Hadada (Hadada Ibis) poo reduce the effectiveness of solar panels. A quick rinse with a hosepipe should clean the solar panels to near 100% performance. There are professional solar panel cleaners.

Does South Africa manufacture solar panels?

Yes! There is only one solar panel manufacturer in South Africa, ART Solar based in KwaZulu Natal. Unfortunately they struggle to keep their prices lower than imported solar panels. On 18 April 2023 they were selling 550 W solar panels for R4125 which is comparable to the retail price of Chinese solar panels.