CHAPTER 1
What Are Solar Power Kits?
The fundamentals
Put simply, a Solar Power Kit contains solar panels, an inverter, batteries and all the switches, mounting and wiring that you’d need to install said kit to start producing and using solar power.
We’ll cover these components below.
CHAPTER 2
Solar Power Kits: Includes
What’s in the box?
Solar Panels
Probably the most distinguishable component of all, the Solar Panel is a fundamental part of the whole kit; without this piece, you won’t produce solar energy.
More Solar Panel Guides
Solar Inverters
The next fundamental component of every Solar Power Kit is an inverter. Without this piece of equipment, there is no way to convert your energy coming from the Solar Panels and stored power in your batteries into usable electricity for your home.
More Solar Inverter Guides
Solar Batteries
Solar Batteries are required if you need backup power during the evenings. The only kit that does not require a battery is a Grid-Tied kit, but we’ll go through this later on in this guide.
More Solar Battery Guides
CHAPTER 3
What Are The Different Types Of Solar Power Kits?
There are different types?
There are four types of kits that we use in the residential market. We will focus on these 4 kits in this guide.
Off-Grid Solar Power Kits
- Solar Panels
- Off-Grid Inverter
- Batteries
- Peripherals
Grid-Tied Solar Power Kits
- Solar Panels
- Inverter
Batteries- Peripherals
Hybrid Solar Power Kits
- Solar Panels
- Hybrid Inverter
- Batteries
- Peripherals
3 Phase Solar Power Kits
- Solar Panels
- 3 Phase Inverter
- Batteries
- Peripherals
Off-Grid Solar Power Kits
You see the word “Off-Grid Solar Power Kit”, and you might immediately think this is the kit for you.
But, while off the grid might sound like the best solution out there, there are some things to consider:
- You will have no grid to fall back on in the event of severe weather or faults.
- You will need to have an oversized battery bank to cover you for a few days in case of cloudy weather.
- You will have to have a pretty extensive array to cover your usage and charge the extra battery bank.
While you might save a few grand on the inverter, we’re talking a pretty penny here for the battery bank alone.
While this solution is 100% doable, it’s not ideal for us here in the ‘burbs.
Use grid power when you need them, don’t cut your nose off to spite your face.
Off-Grid Kits are ideal for homes that are out in the sticks and have no other source of electricity. Also, Off-Grid Inverters work just fine for a Load Shedding Kit where you have no Solar Panels.
Additionally, Off-Grid Inverters do not blend power from all your sources. If you are not producing enough solar power to cover your usage, it will either:
Cause the whole system to trip if you have no alternative power source
OR
Switch over your usage from Solar Power to grid power. Meaning you’ll be wasting produced (free) solar power and using grid power instead.
Do you live out in the middle of nowhere with no grid supply? If you answered yes, then an Off-Grid kit is for you.
If you answered no, then keep reading, we have another solution for you.
Grid-Tied Solar Power Kits
The Grid-tied solar power kit is the simplest of all solar solutions. It contains solar panels and an inverter, and no batteries.
If you have high usage in the day, such as pool pumps, boreholes, washing machines, geysers etc., this solution will compensate for the energy use and offer the highest return on investment. They are often paid back within three years.
Great for daytime businesses:
- Factories
- Shops
- Restaurants
- Workshops
- Offices
These kits also work perfectly in homes simply looking to supplement their daytime usage with solar power and save some money on electricity bills.
Hybrid Solar Power Kits
A firm favourite with our staff and clients alike.
It does everything, so you don’t have to.
It blends power from the grid, solar panels and battery to ensure you have a seamless power supply.
Switchovers are so fast that you barely even notice them. I hadn’t known when load shedding was happening since 2019.
Hybrids save you from wasting produced solar power, saving you extra money in the long run. Cha-Ching! Now you’re winning.
They are reliable, safe and quieter than off-grid inverters.
We can get you as close to off the grid as possible with a Hybrid inverter which means that you’ll be producing enough solar power to cover your needs and charge your batteries, but you’ll still be connected to the grid. The grid will become your backup.
The less you pay to Eskom, the more you can put into your kit, and the quicker you see a return on your investment.
3 Phase Solar Power Kits
If you have 3 phase supply, you’ll most likely know about it.
For those who are unsure what 3 phase supply is, it is a circuit that has 3 AC cables instead of 1. Most homes have a single-phase supply, whereas most factories, workshops and office buildings will have 3 phases. Although, some houses in South Africa do have 3 phase supply.
And for a 3 phase supply, you’ll need a 3 phase inverter. We don’t typically carry a wide variety of 3 phase inverters but do have a few.
Did I mention that you can use a single-phase inverter on 1, 2 or all 3 of your phases? Hello Hybrid!
CHAPTER 4
What Are The Benefits Of A Solar Power Kit?
Why a Solar Power Kit makes sense
Choosing a complete solar power kit saves you time and effort that would otherwise be spent researching and selecting individual components. We have carefully curated kits where inverters are perfectly matched with batteries, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.
With our extensive experience assisting thousands of South Africans with Solar Power Kits, we have gained valuable knowledge about which products work together seamlessly. This expertise enables us to offer you kits that are specifically designed to provide the best combination of components, taking the guesswork out of the equation.
By opting for a complete solar power kit, you can have peace of mind knowing that all the necessary items are included, eliminating the frustration of potentially forgetting or overlooking essential components. Our goal is to make your solar power journey as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
