Generate Your Own Power

Building Solar on a Forested Property: What Shading Really Costs You

Building solar on a forested KZN property meant solving a shading problem before solving an energy problem. R35,500 in structural and arborist work later, the…

How Solar PV Systems Work

Learn the inner workings of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, including panels, inverters, batteries, and system design for homes and businesses.

Solar Inverters Explained

Learn how solar inverters work, the differences between string, micro, and hybrid inverters, and how to choose the best inverter for your PV system.

Choosing the Right Solar Inverter for South Africa

Discover the differences between string, micro, and hybrid inverters and choose the right one for your home or business.

Types of Solar Panels

Learn about monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film solar panels, including their advantages, disadvantages, and best use cases.

Deye SUN-5K-SG01LP1-EU review

An owner's review of the Deye SUN-5K-SG01LP1 hybrid inverter after three years, including running a KwaZulu-Natal home completely off-grid since June 2026.

Victron VE.Direct Cable 3m review

Genuine Dutch 3m VE.Direct cable . RJ45 straight-through. Connects MPPT, BMV, SmartShunt to GX devices. 5-year warranty . Plug-and-play monitoring.

BlueNova RacPower 5kWh review

5kWh usable (90% DoD). 7000 cycles. 1C discharge. Proudly built in Cape Town . BEE Level 1. Payback in 4.0–4.8 years .

Volta Stage 1 (Old Gen) 5.12kWh review

An owner's review of the Volta Stage 1 5kWh LiFePO4 battery: reliable on its own, but a protocol change between generations blocked the expansion I had planned.

Deye SUN-12K-SG01HP3 review

12kW 3-phase balanced output. 18kWp PV input. 240A battery charge. Powers irrigation pumps, cold rooms, and 3-phase motors. Scalable to 96kW . Payback in 3.7…