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The silent solar mistake quietly draining South Africans’ savings
When load shedding hit its worst, South Africans rushed to install solar. Panels went up almost overnight. Inverters hummed to life. Batteries promised peace of mind.
For many households and businesses, the lights have stayed on ever since.
But here is the uncomfortable truth: a surprising number of solar users are quietly losing money without even realising it.
It looks fine… until you look properly
According to AWPower managing director Christiaan Hattingh, one of the biggest myths about solar is that it is a once-off investment. Install it, switch it on, forget about it.
In reality, that mindset is costing people real savings.
Over the past year, AWPower conducted audits on systems that showed no obvious breakdowns. No flashing red lights. No complete failures. Everything appeared normal on the monitoring apps.
Yet when technicians dug deeper, they found slow, silent underperformance.
In some cases, a slightly loose connector reduced output. In others, inverter settings had never been properly optimised after installation. Batteries were cycling outside ideal parameters. On one commercial site, a single faulty string connector cut output by around 15 percent. The business kept operating as usual, unaware that a chunk of its potential savings had simply vanished.
In a country where electricity tariffs continue to rise, that 15 percent matters.
Solar efficiency is not static
Solar panels degrade gradually over time. Demand patterns change. Firmware updates can improve inverter performance.
Then there is the issue of seasonal time-of-use tariffs. What worked perfectly two years ago may no longer be set up for today’s tariff structure. Add annual utility adjustments into the mix, and suddenly your once optimised system is no longer delivering maximum value.
Hattingh’s view is simple: systems that are monitored, adjusted and serviced consistently deliver stronger returns over ten to fifteen years.
Sometimes the fix is surprisingly small. A short settings tweak can restore thousands of rands in annual savings.
For Joburg homeowners who stretched their budgets to escape load shedding, that difference could cover rates, levies or school fees.
Your insurer is watching too
There is another reason maintenance matters. Insurers are paying close attention to solar installations.
Santam has outlined clear requirements for solar systems to qualify for proper cover against theft or damage. A valid electrical certificate of compliance is non-negotiable. It must be signed off by a qualified electrician registered with the Department of Labour.
The system must comply with South African National Standards, including SANS 10142-1 and relevant photovoltaic annexures.
Some insurers may require surge protection devices on both the DC and AC sides, as well as on the main distribution board. In lightning-prone areas, lightning arrestors could be necessary. For lithium-ion batteries, a specialised fire extinguisher may also be required to qualify for cover or reduced excess on claims.
Meanwhile, Naked Insurance has reminded policyholders to notify insurers about their solar installations. Panels, inverters and batteries must be insured at current replacement value, including installation and inflation, not just the original purchase price.
Integrated rooftop systems connected to the distribution board are considered permanent fixtures. That places them under building insurance, not home contents cover.
Importantly, insurance will not pay for long-term wear and tear or poor workmanship. That is why reputable installers and solid warranties matter.
Solar is an asset, not a gadget
In Johannesburg and across South Africa, solar became a symbol of resilience. It was about keeping the WiFi on, the fridge cold, and the business running.
Now the conversation is shifting. Solar is not just backup power. It is a long-term energy asset.
And like any asset, it needs oversight.
You would not run your business without checking the books. You would not skip servicing your vehicle for years. Your energy system deserves the same attention.
The panels on your roof might still be shining in the sun. The inverter screen might say everything is fine.
But if you have not had your system checked recently, you might be leaving money on the table.
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Source: MyBroadband
Featured Image: Solar Systems
