Solar Panel Prices: How Much Do Solar Panels Cost In 2023?

Factors that influence the cost of installing solar panels:

Types of solar systems

The kind of system you want based on what you need it to deliver for you is the most important factor determining costs. Broadly speaking, there are three kinds of solar panel systems:

An independent system that is not tied to the grid 

This is the simplest system and consists of solar panels, a charge controller, an inverter and batteries. The panels charge the batteries when the sun is shining and you use the power stored in the batteries to power your home. When the mains power goes out, you can switch over to this system to power your devices.

A grid-tied system that is mainly used to offset electricity costs, but does not serve as a backup system when there are electricity outages

This kind of system is connected directly to the electricity grid that powers your home, and while the sun is shining, the electricity generated by the solar panels is used instead of grid electricity. When there is a power outage, this system does not continue to supply solar electricity to the home, but it is relatively affordable because it has no charge controller or batteries and can save considerable costs on electricity over time. 

A grid-tied system that also serves as a backup system in case of load shedding or other outages

This is the most sophisticated and most expensive type of system and there are several different configurations depending on the kind of equipment and setup you use. This system offsets costs as well as serving as a backup system in case of a grid outage. 

The inverters and charge controllers

Inverters convert the kind of electricity generated by the solar panels or the electricity stored in the batteries to electricity that your home system can use. Charge controllers convert the electricity generated by the panels so that it can be stored in the batteries. The type of equipment that you choose here, or the way it is configured can be a big factor when it comes to cost. Note that some entry-level basic inverters could damage electronic devices that use a motor such as a vacuum cleaner or a hair dryer.

Solar batteries

Batteries are an optional component but due to load shedding in South Africa, batteries just make sense.  Also, if you would want to use energy at night, or after a few rainy days when there is no sunshine, batteries are essential.  The size of the installation and your energy needs will determine how many backup batteries you may need.

The type of solar panels

The type of panels you need depends on the size of the installation.  Solar panel prices in South Africa are determined by the brand, size and type.  Solar panels are cheaper if you buy them as a pallet.  Also, don’t forget, you will need mountings for the solar panels, this is an extra cost. But a professional will be able to tell you the type of solar panels that your home will need.

Labour to install

Again, this depends on the size of the installation.  A small installation will take 2 days, whereas a major installation can take about 5 days. Make sure the labour is listed on the quotation and does not come as a surprise at the end.

Make sure you go through the quote carefully and make sure you understand what all the costs relate to. If you are unsure – ask the professional assisting you.

If you want to compare various solar panels available in South Africa, Leroy Merlin has some excellent deals on a variety of systems. 

Finding the Right Pro

Now that you have a better understanding of the costs – it’s time to find the best Pro for the job. Luckily for you – Kandua has hundreds of Pros who can do solar panel installations.  Here are our top tips to help you find the right Pro for your solar panel installation:

• Give the contractor as much information as possible. The more details they have the more efficiently they can quote on the job and also offer their professional advice.

• Once you’ve gotten quotes from different Pros – you can look up their profiles on Kandua and read their reviews and see pictures of their work.

• • Read the quote carefully. Make sure you double-check everything so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.

• Areas we service: Johannesburg solar panels – Pretoria solar panels – Cape Town solar panels – Durban solar panels

Remember, it’s not always about finding the cheapest option. Stick to these tips, and take into account the entire package, Pro reviews, your experience in dealing with them and then, of course, the cost.