Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy through photovoltaic (PV) panels. This energy can be used to generate electricity for your house or be stored in batteries for later use, during load shedding.

An inverter is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a solar energy system. It’s a device that converts direct current (DC) electricity, which is what a solar panel generates, to alternating current (AC) electricity, which the electrical grid uses.

After the panels, the electricity passes through the solar inverter and provides power to your household. The system may have a battery that can store unused energy. The energy can then be used later when the solar panels are not actively producing electricity.

The energy stored in a solar-battery system is used in the home whenever there is energy usage above the level produced by the solar panels. This battery energy can power household appliances before any energy is required to be imported from the grid.

Households and businesses will soon be allowed to sell surplus electricity from rooftop solar panels into the national grid. President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed the plan today in his weekly newsletter, saying solar panels on the roofs of houses and businesses are a major source of energy to be tapped into. Source ITWeb 23 Jan 2023.

Yes, you will most likely need permission from your HOA to install a Solar System. They will most probably require updated plans and may charge a fee to scrutinize your submission.

Yes, your existing plans will need to be updated with your local municipality to show the installation on your plans. We will need approval of the plans before we may commence with the installation. There might be costs associated with the submission of the plans, these costs will be for your account.

As we will be placing the panels on your roof the installation will have to be signed of by a structural engineer. The costs associated with this will be for your account. We might be able to assist with the process. The engineer will require a copy of the proposed installation plans as well as the specification and weight of the panels to be installed.

Individuals that install rooftop solar panels qualify for a 25% rebate on the cost of new or unused solar panels – up to a maximum rebate of R15,000.

To take advantage of the total tax incentive, you’ll need to invest in solar panels worth R60,000. Suppose you pay an average of R2,500 per solar panel. In that case, you’ll need to buy 24 panels to benefit from the maximum rebate.

If the average home uses between five and ten solar panels at a cost of between R12,500 and R25,000, homeowners can claim a rebate of between R3,125 and R6,250.

Remember that this excludes the cost of the inverter and batteries to complete the solar system.

There are two ways to claim the rebate:

If you are employed, you must include this in your income tax return for the year ending 28 February 2024 (from 1 July 2024).

If you are a provisional taxpayer (i.e., self-employed), you will need to deduct this in your provision tax returns (February and August 2023) and in the final income tax return for the year (from 1 July 2024).

It’s important to note that you must pay income tax to receive the income tax rebate.