21 November 2024
Article by Helandi Moolman, Green & You
Why solar systems trump solar geysers – every time.
Do you sell solar geysers? One of the most common questions we get asked, and a regular topic for debate between users of both. This is a very valid question, since the cost of heating water is one of the major contributors to an electricity bill. But is a solar geyser your answer? Let’s delve into this question.
So what does a solar geyser do? As the name suggests, a solar geyser heats the water in your geyser with solar power, generally a lower cost option than using Eskom electricity to heat your geyser. Sounds good?
Yes sure, it sounds good – but there is an even better option if optimal savings is your end-goal.
This is where a solar system gets to shine. A solar system also uses solar power instead of Eskom electricity, but (and here follows the ‘aha’ moment) a solar system can heat your geyser AND power other electricity usage in your house. You end up saving on consumption costs for more than just warm water heating.
To explain this even better: if you use a solar geyser to heat your water, and your geyser is fully heated after an x amount of time – your solar geyser is basically running idle. Wasting precious sunlight hours, because its job is technically done. How much more COULD you have done with the remaining ‘solar power’ that is now wasted?
This is why it is more optimal to invest in a solar system. We optimize our clients’ systems by using smart geyser timers and dump loads if necessary. The result is that they can use solar power to power various appliances and normal daily usage in their homes AND heat their geysers. Sure, a solar system ends up being a higher once-off investment than a solar geyser, but if you take into account the higher-than-inflation and seemingly never-ending Eskom tariff price hikes as well as the current all-time-low prices that the South African solar market is seeing, it ends up being a better option in the long term. You end up saving more in the long term, once again a no-brainer.
If this topic pops up at your next braai debate – you know how to win the discussion.
If this article answered your questions, but also sparked 20 more questions – we’re happy to answer all of them. Our team can assist with sizing and payback calculations as well.