Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Power

 

Will I be able to use my old geyser?

 

Will I have hot water in winter?

 

Which is better – flat plate or evacuated tube systems?

 

What is the advantage of using a solar geyser as opposed to converting my existing geyser?

 

Does a solar water heating system require maintenance?

 

What will a solar water heating system cost?

 

Evacuated tubes get too hot in South African conditions - is this true?

 

What are the different types of rooftop solar PV systems?

 

Will my roof be able to hold all of that weight if I do decide to put the geyser on the roof?

 

Will I still have hot water on the days when the sun doesn’t shine?

 

How long does an installation take?

 

Will I have hot water at night?

 

Why should water reaching my hot water taps be less than 55 degrees?

 

What is the cost of replacing Eskom with a PV Solar system for my house?

 

How long will it take for my solar water heating system to pay for itself?

 

What is the difference between flat plate and evacuated tube systems?

 

Doesn’t the power required for the pump cancel out the electricity saved in the geyser?

 

Does the geyser have to go on the roof as well?

 

What about the wind blowing the collector off the roof?

 

My heighbour was told by a so-called "Solar Company" that they can change his entire house tp PV Solar for less than R30 000?

 

What are the advantages of having the geyser on the roof?

 

How do I decide what size system to install?

 

Why do I need a timer switch for my solar water heating system?

 

What if the pitch of my roof is less than 25 degrees?

 

Will my pumped system heat water during a power outage?

 

What type of battery must I use in a standby system?

 

What is the life expectancy of our systems?

 

What is the guarantee period?

 

I want a Solar System to feed electricity back into the Eskom grid and earn money from it

 

Why do professional Solar Companies charge for Solar System designs?

 

Why is it advisable to have a controller?

 

How hot does the water get with a solar water heating system?

 

Does solar water heating generate any electricity?

 

Why should I purchase a PV system?

 

How is the pump powered?

 

What is the difference between a thermosiphon system and a pumped system?

 

How does evacuated tube technology work?

 

How much can a solar water heating system save me?

 

What is a PV Solar System?

 

What pitch does the collector have to be at?

 

Which way does the collector have to face?

 

What type of battery must i use in a solar system?

 

How do evacuated tubes compare to flat plate collectors with regards to efficiency?

 

How does Solar Water Heating work?

 

Will the installation affect my house warranty?

 

How long have evacuated tubes been around?

 

What is the difference between a "SINEWAVE" and "SQUAREWAVE / MODIFIED SINEWAVE" inverter?

 

What is a Backup System?

 

What’s the difference between PV and other solar energy technologies?

 

What is an Inverter?

 

What is Photovoltaic or "PV"

 

Can I install a solar water heating system if I live in an area that experiences frost?