As more homeowners withdraw from the grid and install alternative or renewable energy systems in their homes such as solar panels, there is a bit of confusion about electrical certificates and whether they are required for these systems when buying or selling property.
READ: Unexpected costs when buying a property: Essential expenses to budget for
Electrical Fence and Gas Compliance Certificates
According to the Conveyancing and Property Law team at Abrahams & Gross, electrical certificates are regulated by the Electrical Installation Regulations. The Regulations provide that every user or lessor of an electrical installation must have a valid certificate. When a property is sold, the owner must provide the buyer with an electrical certificate that is not older than two years.
These certificates are always required before lodgement in the Deeds Office. "Some of the banks have experts who will scrutinise Certificate of Compliance before they allow bank guarantees to be issued," says Conveyancing Attorney Denoon Sampson, Denoon Sampson Ndlovu Inc.
"It is therefore vitally important to avoid invalid Certificates, because inevitably, the Purchaser and/or his prospective Home Loan Bank will detect an invalid or bogus Certificate. In such instances, costly delays will be incurred, because the Purchaser will request a second electrician to query and dispute the first Certificate."
READ: Is a compliance certificate required when solar energy is used?
Faced with mounting energy costs, many homeowners think that going entirely off grid is the only solution.
Unfortunately, this is often too expensive. It’s, therefore, more feasible to make adjustments to your home’s energy consumption so that you can introduce solar energy solutions with a hybrid battery system that will augment Eskom or your municipality’s supply - rather than replacing it entirely, says Ryan Steytler, chief operating officer of Hohm Energy.
Steytler suggests the following six ways to prepare your home for solar energy:
1. Know your energy needs
Interrogate your monthly electricity bill so that you have an idea of your annual energy consumption. The account will show your usage in kilowatt hours (kWh). This will indicate when your electricity bill spikes - it could be in winter when you are using heaters, for example.
Look at other ways of reducing the amount of electricity you use. This may mean switching to LED bulbs or changing the timer on your geyser so that it only heats up when you expect to need warm water.
A geyser can account for 40 to 60% of your electricity bill each month. By installing a geyser timer, you can regulate that the geyser is off during peak times. A geyser blanket will maintain the heat in your geyser so that it does not need to be switched on as often.
The simplest solar system for residential use is a grid-tied solar PV system, which is installed to be tied to the grid or network. This means that you save on your electricity bills as you use solar energy during peak hours, and rely on the grid during off-peak times at night, or when the weather is overcast.
2. Make the necessary repairs to your home
Most homeowners opt for rooftop solar PV systems, so make sure your roof does not have any damaged tiles or rust that would make it difficult to install a solar system.
Also look out for water damage that could affect your roof’s structural integrity. Repair any visible cracks and consider replacing your roof if it is reaching the end of its lifespan. Having to remove your solar panels should there be a need to replace the roof in a few years’ time will be an additional cost.
3. Do roof mapping to assess your rooftop’s solar potential
Measure the parameters of your roof to calculate the solar potential of your home. Hohm Energy’s platform will estimate how many solar panels you can accommodate and how much power they will generate, based on the space available.
Decide on the type of rooftop PV system to install:
The most common way to differentiate a solar rooftop installation is via the connection to the electrical load/grid.
- Grid-Tied / Connected with reverse power blocking: The property is connected to the national grid but blocks any excess electricity generated from feeding back onto the grid.
- Grid Tied / Connected: Electricity generated can be used at the property and any surplus can be directed back into the grid. In some cases, this feedback is compensated for.
- Off-Grid / Standalone: Off-grid PV systems usually have batteries and a charge controller and. The PV system generates electricity for use onsite and operates completely independent of the national grid.
SEE: Switching to Solar | What you need to know
4. Find an accredited solar installer and consider several quotes
“As residential solar use becomes more popular, we are seeing more companies popping up claiming to be solar installers, says Steytler.
It’s best to work with a service provider that is accredited by the South African PV Industry Association’s (SAPVIA) PV Green Card programme for solar installers.
SAPVIA Spokesperson, Maloba Tshehla, explains: “Using accredited installers is critical, not just for your peace of mind, but to also ensure the safety of your installation for your home and the wider grid. By using a PVGC accredited installer, you are powering a more responsible and secure, renewable energy future.”
Also, consider quotes from more than one solar installer. Online applications make it easy to obtain a competitive no-obligation quote from a network of vetted installers, tailored to your needs, within minutes.
5. Secure finance for your solar installation
While it is often possible to access your bond at a lower interest rate to pay for a solar system, some companies offer finance options. Lease or rental finance will allow you to use the solar system and benefit from lower energy bills, without actually owning the system. Whatever finance route you choose to take, also include an all-inclusive maintenance and service plan.
Steytler says the cost of your solar PV system is dependent on the size of your home, the amount of roof space available and the kind of solar PV system you want. The savings also depend on the cost of electricity based on which municipality provides you with electricity at the moment.
Generally, it takes four to nine years to pay off the solar system. So while the cost of electricity is going to increase significantly over the next five years, you should be able to pay off your solar system well within that time; giving you a reliable source of power at no additional cost.
6. Get the necessary approvals
Make sure you have the required municipal approvals for the solar system. Also, find out if you need to obtain neighbourhood or Homeowners' Association approval if you live in an estate or a complex.
To get the most from your rooftop PV solar system, it’s best to make your home as energy-efficient as possible, and to have a clear overview of your energy needs, says Steytler.
Not happy with your installation?
If you are not satisfied with the installation you can request an inspection from an authorized inspection authority (AIA) registered with the Department of Labor, the ECASA ombudsman or an independent consultant.
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