Soaring electricity costs and unprecedented load shedding have compelled many South Africans to pass on yet another candlelit dinner or braai and take energy security into their own hands by installing solar energy in their homes.
Clean, sustainable energy
In a country with abundant sunshine, the temptation to reduce dependence on Eskom and its teetering grid via a solar solution is an aspirational dream we all share. The appeal of clean, sustainable energy that future-proofs against rising electricity costs, helps save the planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fights climate change, is practically irresistible.
Current trends
Property trends in SA show home buyers’ marked preference for solar-powered properties over those that are not. This includes new builds. Solar-powered properties are more marketable and tend to sell faster, as buyers are eager to forego the hassle of installing themselves.
Own or rent?
The decision whether to own or rent a solar system largely depends on how long you plan to live in your home. What is your timeline? Solar rental prices have come down nicely in recent months, offering attractive options in the short term. For example an 8-panel 5kW rented system with Lithium battery these days goes for R1740 per month. So if you’re planning to live in a property for around three to four years, it makes sense that renting a solar system is a good option. However, if you’re planning on living in it for longer, say five to ten years, then, owning your system is the better option, as owning it adds value to your home while making it more desirable to potential buyers when you eventually decide to sell it.
Can solar energy charge your home’s value as well as your wallet?
The answer is undoubtedly yes. “Early evidence from real estate agents and bond originators suggests homes with solar systems installed can increase the property value by 3-8%.” Furthermore, as solar-powered properties are in demand, solar-ready properties are therefore easier to market. “In fact,” says Harry Hattingh, real estate agent at Flint Realty, “when given the choice between two similar properties, we are seeing that the one with solar is most likely to sell first.”
However, as South Africa’s energy crisis deepens, it is becoming more apparent that converting to solar is not so much a pricey luxury but a fundamental necessity if we are to continue to live and thrive in South Africa.
Are you looking for budget-friendly alternative solutions to solar?
You’re saving for solar, but what can you do in the interim to keep your home as energy-efficient as possible?
- Buying a north-facing home reduces energy costs as these homes are cool in summer and warm and sunny in winter.
- Choose a home with smaller more contained rooms which enables easier heating and cooling.
- Did you know that your home could be as much as 10° cooler in summer and 7° warmer in winter? Eco-insulation for your ceiling spaces cuts energy costs while improving comfort levels in your home.
For more information:
Flint Realty Moving you to places that move you | info@flint.co.za | Call 066 080 2517
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