Put paid to load shedding & invest in solar power in 2019.

Without warning, South Africa was plunged into darkness again during November 2018, when load shedding reared its ugly head yet again.  This is the time of year most businesses can least afford to shut shop or work at a third of normal capacity, making it a crippling blow for many.

It’s also that time when families and friends get together to share the festive season, with the lights on, preferably. But there you have it, out of the confusion that is Eskom, load shedding started just as we thought we might be out of the woods.

It’s hard to believe that in a country as drenched in sunshine as South Africa is, there are still people that doubt the worth of solar power, and measure the initial expense of a solar installation against continually rising electricity bills.

What you’d spend to install solar panels according to your power requirements, will pale in comparison with what you’ll be paying for coal-fired electricity over a period of a few years.

You may need to consider taking out a bond or breaking into savings to install solar panels, but you’ll get it back within 3 to 4 years, and you won’t be paying a fortune for electricity from the day the system is installed!

If you’re still sitting on the fence, the answer to the following questions may take you off it and into the solar power revolution:

How much money would you really like to save?

It’s almost impossible to keep up with the cost of living, let alone exorbitantly high electricity tariffs, so most of us could really do with saving money to be used more constructively elsewhere.

There are huge savings to be capitalised on for any business or residential property boasting a quality solar power installation.

You could start as small as installing a solar water heating system and migrate from there once you’ve seen just how much just this step will save you.

Would you like to know exactly what your budget for power will be month to month?

At the rate that Eskom is going in terms of regular tariff increases that no one can do anything about, no amount of careful budgeting is going to help if you can never tell what power will cost, even in the very short term.

With a solar power installation, you’ll know exactly what your budget should look like for power.  This is especially important for any business relying on strict budgets required to remain competitive, without having to deal with unpredictable tariff increases.

Would you like complete control over your energy?

The power of the sun is available all year round, nothing interrupts it and leaves you in the dark. You won’t have to deal with energy that steals a major chunk of change and cannot be relied on to boot.

Last but not least – would you like to reduce your carbon footprint?

The carbon footprint we have left on this earth is leaving us with less and less natural resources, and it’s time to take a serious stand against anything that requires the burning of fossil fuels or release of other manmade pollutants.

In South Africa, our power is generated by coal-fired plants, and the negative effects, to our environment and to health, is massive.

Burning coal contains dangerous metals such as lead and mercury, among others, as well as large amounts of carbon dioxide. Taken together, all these carbon emissions are endangering our planet, increasing the greenhouse effect that has already led to massive global warming.

Is this really the type of energy you still want to be using when Mother Nature has provided so abundantly?

Let the team at Renaissance Solar in Cape Town introduce you to quality solar panels and hot water heating systems that’ll keep the power on, no matter how much load shedding is going on around you.

 

Need all your questions about solar geysers answered in layman’s terms?

If you do then you’re in the majority of South Africans who aren’t experts at anything solar!  We need the guys who understand the specs like the back of their hands to make life easier for us when we’re ready to go solar.

This is what the team at Renaissance Solar is all about. They’ll filter out all the technological stuff we don’t really need to understand and paint pictures we can translate into useable information on which to base our decisions.

You’re tired of paying a major chunk of cash to an electricity supplier that relishes the fact that you can’t get power anywhere else, and now you’re ready to check out the benefits of installing a solar water heating system.

Here are some of the questions you’ll want answered before taking the plunge into great savings….and a greener planet:

How does a solar water heating system work?

The two major components of a solar water heating system are the hot water geyser and the solar collector panels.  The dark blue or black surfaces of the solar collector absorb heat, which is what heats the water.

Based on the principle that hot water rises, a solar geyser is generally situated above the solar collector so that it rises into the geyser naturally.

If the geyser can’t be fitted above the solar collector for any reason, or if you’d prefer not to have the geyser visible on your roof, then the pumped system will suit you best.

The team at Renaissance Solar will explain all of this to you in depth with pleasure. This is a team passionately committed to turning the Western Cape into a solar power haven in South Africa!

What is a direct system?

A direct system is the best system for use in an area that’s frost free. With a direct system, the water is moved straight from the collector to the geyser, and vice versa.

What is an indirect system?

In the simplest of terms, the indirect system uses a heat transfer liquid such as anti-freeze or glycol between the solar collector and a heat exchanger in the solar geyser to heat the water. If you live in an area that’s prone to frost, this is the best solar water heating system to have installed.

What happens in winter?

In case you’re worried about whether you’ll have hot water when it rains or in the middle of winter, don’t be.  All solar geysers are manufactured with an electrical backup element so that when it’s raining you’ll still have hot water, and you’ll still be saving money.

Because solar systems work on the radiation of the sun as well as with direct sunlight, your solar panel will still be heating water on the coldest of days.

How much money will you save?

Provided that you are given the proper information before having your system installed, which will depend on usage requirements, you will be looking at saving from 40 to 50% on your electricity bill.

This is a saving not to be scoffed at, especially when you consider that an increase in price was implemented twice between April and July 2018 at 5.23% and 7.32% respectively by Eskom.

How long will it take for the system to pay for itself?

The awesome news here is that on average you’re looking at a payback period of between 3 to 4 years, depending on the system you’ve had installed.

How long will the system last?

More really great news!  You’re looking at a solar water heating system where the geyser can last up to 15 years and the panels have been know to last over 25 years.  Do you really still want to stick with a geyser that needs to be replaced every five years?

Is there a lot of maintenance involved?

Renaissance Solar has a fantastic back up service that’ll be on hand to do a service every few years, depending on the system, so that it’ll last the distance and more.  More than this though will not be required.

How hot will the water be?

Considering that 42 degrees Celsius is the most comfortable heat for us, you’ll be in the pound seats with a system that will heat your geyser up to 75 degrees Celsius, and sometimes more!

Any other questions?

The team at Renaissance Solar will answer as many questions as you may have, so that you’ll know exactly what to expect from the best solar water heating systems in Cape Town.

Start laying the foundation for a future free of exorbitant electricity bills by contacting Renaissance Solar today to find out more about their exceptional range of SABS tested solar products on offer.

Lower electricity costs by up to 50% by investing in a solar water heating system.

Considering the cost of electricity today, and the fact that heating water accounts for up to 50% of your electricity bill, it’s not surprising that South Africans are switching from conventional geysers to solar geysers.

We’ve come a full circle since prehistoric man enjoyed the benefits the sun brought to warm their caves and to cure their meat.

A century or so after electricity was first used in homes, it’s become so expensive just to heat water that we’re going back to relying on the power of the sun to deliver free energy, which is pretty ironic when you think about how we started out.

Aside from the exorbitant tariffs we pay for electricity in South Africa, its time for us to be proactive about the steep price we’ve exacted on our environment in our eternal search for bigger, better and faster.

If you’re ready to start saving a fortune on electricity, then installing a solar geyser is going to be the best first step to take in breaking the back of continuing tariff increases.

As the 14^th highest emitter of greenhouse gases, every solar panel installed in South Africa increases our chances of saving our beautiful natural environment, which is even more important than saving money on electricity in the present!

All new homes or commercial buildings being constructed today are built with the addition of solar geysers, proving that renewable energy is far more than a passing trend.

Even if your home isn’t a new build, installing solar panels and a solar geyser is going to up the value of your property significantly, making it well worth the initial investment.

Quality solar panels and solar geysers aren’t a Mickey Mouse investment, in fact to most of us it can take a pretty big chunk out of our budget, but the return on investment is huge.

So, if electricity prices under a monopoly are set to keep escalating, and solar panels are coming down in price, doesn’t the idea of having free energy four to six years after your initial investment get you thinking about solar energy seriously?

Why choose Renaissance Solar to install your solar geyser in Cape Town?

Experience:

Renaissance Solar has been around the block enough since 2009 for you to feel completely confident in the knowledge and experience this team brings to the table with every solar installation.

Since every installation is unique, expertise like this is necessary to ensure that yours is the right solar water heating system to suit your requirements.

Quality:

High quality solar panels and products make all the difference when it comes to the lifespan of your solar water heating system, and at Renaissance Solar this means using only SABS approved products.

Manufacturer warrantees guarantee that you can expect a high standard of workmanship and performance from the solar products used in every Renaissance Solar installation.

Outstanding backup service:

Knowing that you’ll have the full backup service from a company that’s been around for a long time, and will be far into the future, is essential.  You won’t be hung out to dry if and when any issues arise after the successful installation of your solar water heating system.

Affordability:

The fact that Renaissance Solar uses solar products that contain a high proportion of local material, means that despite the quality of their products, they’re able to offer affordable solar products in Cape Town.

Last but not least:

When you choose Renaissance Solar to install your solar water heating system in Cape Town, you’ll be dealing with a friendly, down-to-earth team that’s more than happy to share a passion for the future of solar energy with you.

If you’re ready to take the leap into a future free of high electricity tariffs, let the team at Renaissance Solar light the way for you.

What to consider when investing in a solar water heating system.

The good news for homeowners in South Africa is that while electricity rates continue to soar, the price of solar panels has hardly gone up in several years, making it easier for even the most cash-strapped family to have some form of solar water heating system. And there are financing options to where you can pay over 1 – 5 years.

While many are ready to make the change, to save a fortune on electricity and to commit to the fight against the damage done to our natural resources, most of us really don’t know where to start when considering the purchase of a solar water heating system.

So what do you have to consider when you do decide to fight high electricity tariffs and do your bit for our depleted natural resources? For those of us who aren’t technically minded, finding the right solar water heating system is very daunting.

Here’s what you need to focus on:

How solar water heating works:

Before you do get confused at the outset of your journey to the right solar geyser, you need to know that solar water heating is a different type of technology to that of solar powered electricity generation.

The one type of solar technology is designed only to heat water, while the other generates electricity that can be used in the home.

The solar water heater is made up of a solar collector, with either flat plate or evacuated tubes, a geyser and sometimes a pump is the geyser is not on the roof.

The size of a solar water heating geyser is generally a bit bigger than the standard conventional geyser.  This is because it needs to be able to store all the water you need for each day.

There are several recommended options:

• replace your electric geyser completely
• use your existing electric geyser and convert it to solar (a retrofit)

Two types of solar water heating systems:

Direct systems: These are not a great idea if you live in an area that faces exceptionally cold temperatures. They contain a heat transfer system that will circulate water straight to the geyser from the solar collector. These systems are ideal for Cape Town as temperatures never go below freezing.

Indirect systems: These solar water heating systems contain a heat transfer medium that does a loop through pipes in the system to heat water and then return it to the solar collector to be re-heated. A must have system in Gauteng and anywhere where temperatures go below freezing.

2 Types of solar collectors:

There are two major types of solar collectors, which are the solar water heating panels that draw the heat from the sun to provide the heat used in the system.

These are:

Flat panel collectors: Flat panel collectors can be mounted on any north-facing roof that gets sun all day.

Evacuated tubes: These tubes create a sealed vacuum in the parallel pipes that make up the collector, which means you’ll have water that stays hot once it’s been heated. Ideal for east or west-facing roofs that only get half a day’s sun

Doing a little research into which of these two systems would suit you is a good idea, as both of them work well if they’re used in the right type of solar water heating system.

If you’re looking for the best advice and guidance on solar hot water systems in Cape Town, the team standing by at Renaissance Solar will be more than happy to introduce you to the right system to give you an exceptional return on investment!

What is the Lifespan of Solar Panels?

The first question people ask regarding solar panels is typically how much they cost. After which they want to know how long the solar panels will last. Unfortunately, there isn’t one straight answer. It all depends on the system you choose and the quality of the product.

One thing remains true, however, installing solar panels on your property will always be a good investment. Here’s why:

1. It will lower your monthly electricity bill
2. It will allow you to reduce your carbon footprint by decreasing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions

Now that we know just how solar panels can benefit property owners, let’s look at the lifespan of a solar panel.

The two primary types of solar heating panels are evacuated tube systems and flat plate systems. These products are expected to last anything from 5 to 25 years. It’s true that solar panels might lose some efficiency in later years but degradation rates are minor.  In fact, most solar panels work at 90% of their capacity after 10 years.

Solar panels are an investment but will pay for themselves in just a few years. With the lifespan being a decade or even two, the prospect of saving money is even better when going solar. If free renewable energy is what you’re after, solar panels are the way to go.

Everyone is trying to find ways to lower their monthly financial burden and with electricity rates increasing rapidly, As heating your geyser can take nearly 50% of your total household electricity usage, you might want to consider installing solar hot water panels.  Renaissance Solar offers high-quality SABS approved solar products with strong manufacturer warranties at affordable prices to the South African market.

For more information or if you’d like to get started with the installation of your solar panels, get in touch with the friendly team at Renaissance Solar today!

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint And Help Save The Planet By Installing Solar Power Systems In Your Home

Global warming isn’t just a gimmick or a money-making scheme. It’s real and it’s happening whether you like it or not. And it’s up to us to slow the process down if we want to preserve our beautiful planet.

What Is Global Warming?

Global warming, also known as climate change, is the observed century-scale increase in the average temperature of our planet’s climate system and its associated effects. In the past 50 years, the average global temperature has increased at the fastest rate ever recorded.

What Causes Global Warming?

Global warming happens when air pollutants, greenhouse gases and CO2 (carbon dioxide) collect in the atmosphere. They then absorb solar radiation and sunlight that have ricocheted off the earth’s surface. Typically, this radiation would disappear into space but these pollutants cause the heat to get trapped thus, the planet gets hotter.

How Can Solar Panels Slow down Global Warming?

In order to slow down the effects of global warming, we need to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels by using clean energy instead. Solar energy creates renewable power from the sun which is beneficial to the environment. By generating power with solar energy instead of fossil fuels, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically.

Where Can I Find a Solar Power System Installation Company?

Renaissance Solar is a company that specialises in solar power systems for residential and industrial consumers. All our products are SABS approved and includes a strong manufacturer warranty. Our prices are extremely competitive and we take great pride in providing exceptional after-sales service.

Now is the right time to switch to solar power. Not only will you be saving the planet but you’ll be saving money while you’re at it. If you are interested in installing solar panels on your property, get in touch with one of our representatives today.

 

Are Solar Geysers Really Worth the Investment?

Your geyser is responsible for using at least 50% of your home’s electricity. That’s half of your monthly bill! Thus, also the reason many homeowners have switched to solar geysers. So if you haven’t heard about the benefits of solar geysers or you are interested in a solar geyser installation, give us a call. But before you do, here’s what you need to know about solar geysers.

 

How Do Solar Geysers Work?

Solar geysers heat up your water through the use of the sun instead of electricity. Located above the absorber glass tubes or flat plate panels, is a hot water tank. Hot water becomes lighter and rises into the tank the moment it heats in the absorber and there is a natural thermo-siphon. And because South Africa has plentiful sunshine, a solar geyser is a practical choice.

 

Are Solar Geysers Expensive?

A solar geyser installation will require an investment on your part but in the long run, it will save you thousands of Rands. You can expect to pay the following prices at Renaissance Solar:

150lt from R16 535      ideal for 2 – 3 people

200lt from R19 012      for 3 – 4 people

300lt from R27 165   for 4 – 6 people

Prices include full installation and VAT

 

Most newly built homes should come fully equipped with solar geysers.

 

Benefits of Solar Geysers

1. It will save you money on electricity – at least 40% on your annual bill (50% in summer and 30% in winter)
2. It will heat up your water even when it’s cold as long as the sun is shining.
3. Even if the sun is not shining but it is a bright day there are still heating benefits
4. It is better for the environment – you can reduce your carbon footprint.

 

To answer your question: Are solar geysers a good investment? A resounding YES! In more than one way.

Don’t get left behind when you can reap the benefits of the solar power Mother Nature has to offer. Get in touch with Renaissance Solar to install your solar geyser in Cape Town. For more information, speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable team members today.