Solar power and backup power for your home: how to order turnkey
Which system you need
Solar systems come in three types. A grid-tied system feeds power into the grid and does not work without it, so it gives you nothing during a power cut. An off-grid system runs on batteries and does not depend on the grid. A hybrid system combines both: it works with the grid, and when the power goes it switches to the batteries.
If your main aim is to have light during power cuts, you need a hybrid system with batteries, or separate backup power with an inverter and batteries. What matters here is working out what you need to power: the fridge, a pump, lights, a fan or AC, or the whole house at once.
What to put in your request
- Type of system — grid-tied, off-grid, hybrid, backup power only.
- Panel capacity, for example 10 kW, and the inverter capacity.
- Battery capacity in kWh and type: lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) or others.
- Phases — single or three phase.
- Property — a house, a roof (sloped, flat) or a plot for a ground-mounted system.
- Equipment — the make of inverter or panels, if you have a preference.
- Grid connection — whether you need net metering or approval for feeding power into the grid.
- Address, timing, budget.
Example: “Durban, private house, sloped roof, three phases. I need a hybrid system of 10 kW with 10 kWh LiFePO4 batteries, turnkey with design and installation. I need help with the grid-connection paperwork. Finish before the summer, budget up to R 160,000.”
How to compare offers
Two offers for “10 kW” can be completely different. Compare:
- the makers and models of the panels, inverter and batteries, and their warranties;
- the mounting structure, cables and protection: breakers, RCDs, surge protection, earthing;
- whether design, installation, setup and training are included;
- whether there is monitoring, and how long it takes from the start to commissioning;
- who handles the documents for connecting to the grid.
Ask separately about the rules for net metering and any subsidies: they differ from state to state and change, so check the current position with the contractor and with your electricity distribution company.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You write a request on the home page, and companies and installers in your area reply with offers in chat. They see where they stand and can improve the specification or the price. You see reviews next to the offers, and your contacts stay hidden until you choose a contractor. Everything about the process is on the “How it works” page.
Common mistakes
The most frequent mistake is buying a system without a load calculation: the batteries last an hour instead of the several you expected. The second is saving on protection and cables, which is dangerous. The third is not checking that the roof can bear the load and that the tilt angle and shading are right.
Before installation, electrical installation in the house will come in handy, and for large projects design and construction services.
