Page 18 - IFV Issue 12 December 2023

Home Front

HOW TO CARE FOR

YOUR ROOF-BLING

“Clean, free, safe” – these are words we often hear
when we talk about solar energy, but what is the
true cost of this type of installation?

few years ago, residential become more of a necessity than a load shedding was reduced – the price
solar power and solar energy luxury. for solar panels has dropped nearly 20%
A solutions for your home were In an interesting twist of economics since the beginning of the year.
the ultimate luxury. We all knew one – based on demand exceeding supply This has been fantastic news for the
or two people who had “that kind of (initially); backlogs on components and average South African. Have a look as
money” and decided to go off-grid. raw products, hampering production; you drive through your neighbourhood,
Now, and thanks in no small part to desperate buyers fearing stage 8 and you’ll see that between March 2022
the whole Eskom debacle of continuous loadshedding; and solar panel suppliers and June 2023, South Africa’s rooftop
rolling blackouts, residential solar has over-ordering stock for import just as solar generation has increased by 349%.

16 • Issue 12 2023 • The Villager