The decision to invest in solar power for your home is an exciting one. But, as with all large investments, your choices should be carefully considered to ensure you get the most benefit for your money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Helping households make informed solar decisions is a priority area for Standard Bank\u2019s home efficiency platform, LookSee.co.za. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The site is free to use, regardless of who you bank with, and offers valuable insights that can help you understand your home\u2019s solar potential and your family\u2019s power needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LookSee\u2019s executive head, Marc du Plessis, explains: \u201cThe structure of your home plays a significant role in a solar system\u2019s performance and should be the starting point of your decision-making process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is a complex analysis, but we\u2019ve developed a system that does the work for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The LookSee Solar Score<\/strong><\/a> is easy to use and only requires your physical address. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The system generates a 3D grid of your home and assesses it against various solar performance factors such as roof direction, roof slope and area, and solar radiance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You are then presented with a Solar Score out of 100, usable roof area, average sunlight days, potential electricity generation, and estimated savings on your electricity bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But what if your home has a low Solar Score or you\u2019d like your roof to generate more solar power?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor most homes there are ways to improve the solar potential, either through changes on the property or selecting a customised solar system setup,\u201d says du Plessis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe understand how important it is to choose your solar partner carefully, especially in light of the solar warning<\/strong><\/a> issued by the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\nImproving solar performance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The ideal direction for solar panels to face in the southern hemisphere is north. East or west-facing sides of your roof will still generate power but only for limited hours in the day. South-facing roofs are not optimal for solar panels.
Tip:<\/strong> Got a flat roof? You\u2019ll pay extra for appropriate frames, but you can position your panels to make the most of the sun\u2019s movements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
Solar panels require direct access to sunlight so your first and most economical step is to look at what you can do to eliminate shade on your roof. You can\u2019t do anything about surrounding buildings or mountains, but you can prune or cut back trees and bushes to ensure your solar panels can do their work.
Tip:<\/strong> Be sure to prune your trees and bushes regularly to control growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
If your optimal roof area is small, only receives limited hours of sunlight or doesn\u2019t have the generation potential you require, you might want to consider upgrading to more efficient solar panels. Monocrystalline solar panels are more expensive than polycrystalline options, but they are also more efficient in converting sunlight into power.
Tip:<\/strong> Not sure your solar installer is providing your chosen panel technology? Monocrystalline panels are black and uniform in appearance, while polycrystalline panels have a bluish tint.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
Solar panels come in different sizes and your first reaction may be to opt for the biggest watt output possible. However, selecting a smaller panel may be a better option as you can cover more of your roof area.
Tip:<\/strong> Ask your solar provider to provide you with a breakdown of your monthly generation potential using different solar panel sizes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n