With rising electricity costs and the growing urgency to embrace renewable energy, solar geyser systems are becoming increasingly popular. One option gaining traction in South Africa is the APEX SGS, a Cape Town-made system aiming to simplify access to solar water heating. But before you take the plunge, let’s weigh the pros and cons to see if it’s a good fit for you.
Pros:
- Reduced Electricity Bills: The primary benefit is lower electricity consumption.The APEX SGS intelligently manages grid and solar inputs, prioritizing solar power to heat your water. Studies suggest potential savings of 40-60% on your electricity bill, translating to significant financial gains over time.
- Environmental Impact: By harnessing the sun’s free energy, you decrease your reliance on fossil fuels, reducing your carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner environment.
- Increased Hot Water Security: Solar geysers offer a backup during power outages, ensuring a consistent hot water supply even during load shedding.
- Low Maintenance: The APEX SGS boasts intelligent system management and online monitoring, minimizing maintenance needs.
- Government Incentives: South Africa offers various incentives like rebates and tax deductions to encourage solar installations, making the initial investment more attractive.
- Locally Made: Supporting a local manufacturer like APEX contributes to the South African economy and creates jobs.
Cons:
- Initial Investment: While offering long-term savings, the upfront cost of installing a solar geyser system, including panels and the APEX SGS unit, can be high.
- Reliance on Sunlight: Solar energy availability fluctuates based on weather conditions, impacting hot water generation during cloudy periods. Backup grid power or an auxiliary heating element might be needed.
- Roof Suitability: Your roof needs to be north-facing (in the Southern Hemisphere and south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere), unshaded, and have sufficient space to accommodate the solar panels (normally 3 of).
- System Maintenance: While minimal, occasional cleaning of the panels and potential component replacements over time are required.
- Limited Warranty: The APEX SGS offers a 2-year warranty, which might be shorter than warranties provided by some competitors.
Estimated Savings from a Solar Geyser System:
The average household in South Africa consumes 960 kw hours of electricity per month.
At a unit cost of R2.85 per unit that equates to R2 736,00 per month and R32 832.00 per annum.
The Apex unit costs in the region of R15 000 (currently on special from Stratlec at R11 960.00) and 3 Solar Panels plus installation and CoC will add another R15 000 for a total outlay of around R30 000.00
If we assume a savings of 40% on the annual electricity bill (R13 100) then the unit will pay for itself in 2.3 years time (or 2 years if you buy from Stratlec!)
Note: This is an estimated example and actual savings may vary depending on specific circumstances like system size, electricity tariff, weather conditions, and hot water usage.
Conclusion:
The APEX SGS represents a compelling option for South Africans seeking to lower their electricity bills and embrace renewable energy. However, carefully consider the initial investment, roof suitability, and potential limitations before making a decision. Weigh the long-term financial and environmental benefits against the upfront costs and potential drawbacks to determine if a solar geyser system, with the APEX SGS as a potential choice, is the right fit for your needs.
About Stratlec:
The Stratlec Group (first established as Straton and Co. (Pty) Ltd in 1966) operates in a number of related industries.
Straton Electrical: Electrical Contracting and Maintenance – mainly for commercial and industrial clients. Straton Prepaid: Supply and installation of prepaid water, gas and electricity meters. Straton Solar: Supply and Installation of Renewable Energy. BA Systems: Building Automation Systems supplies and installs the Schneider Range of C-Bus control systems. Mbane Contracting: Our BEE Electrical supply company. Reach Trust: The holding trust company for BA Systems and our various online web site hosting and online publications. Stratlec are proudly from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Nelson Mandela Bay and have a solid reputation in our local markets as the “under promise, over deliver” experts.
Video: Big Savings From a Solar Geyser System
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