A quality solar system, well designed and installed, will pay for itself – and then some.
In South Africa, there’s a common perception that going solar is a high price to pay for convenience. The reality is that if you make the right choices, it is a very sound investment guaranteed to deliver a return. As Warwick Chapman of Sensible Solar explains: “You need your solar installation to pay for itself during the warranty period and put money in your pocket for the rest of its service life.”
How does that work? Warwick outlines the three elements to ensure success: purchase the right equipment, with long warrantees and, critically, ensure a high-quality installation.
“The perfect solar installation is a low-risk investment which gives you convenience in the short term, but long term, puts money in your back pocket,” says Warwick.
Sensible Solar achieves that goal for all their clients. “It begins with the quality systems we use, and the accompanying warrantees. Our power equipment – inverter and solar chargers – comes with a ten-year warranty; the battery a ten-year warranty; the solar panels a twelve-year warranty. On top of that, we guarantee our installation workmanship for ten years.”
For Sensible Solar, your solar installation journey is about their relationship with you. It’s considered a long-term one, beginning with their first visit to your home: “One of the first things we do is create a WhatsApp group between you, the client, and ourselves. That remains in place for the duration of our commitment – ten years and more – and forms a record of your service experience with us.”
“A relationship with Sensible Solar usually starts with indicative system pricing being exchanged to establish whether we’re in the right ballpark as far as expectations are concerned. Thereafter, we perform an on-site assessment of the roof, the installation location, and the cable routing. We may also install power metering if required to give us an idea of the size of the system on which to quote,” says Warwick.
Once the proposal is approved, much of the work takes place off-site. “Once ready, it is transported to the premises with the battery and solar panels. Once everything is installed and in place, the system is connected to the household electricity and the solar commissioned. Tests are conducted to make sure all is working and complies with safety standards.”
Throughout, the WhatsApp group is used to keep clients informed of the progress, and once the system is handed over, the WhatsApp group becomes the channel for ongoing support. Sensible Solar often alerts clients if they notice any issue with the system: “We monitor systems as a courtesy to our clients – no monthly charge associated with that – it’s just part of the service.”
Sensible Solar is a team of professionals comprising qualified electricians and solar installers who train with the industry body, PQRS. They are accredited Victron and Freedom Won installers: “Our core recipe is Victron for the power equipment, Freedom Won for the lithium battery and Canadian Solar for the panels. We only work with companies that have bricks and mortar in South Africa, so turnaround time is excellent.”
Warwick adds, “This combination of brands is not the cheapest, but it’s absolutely the right investment decision. Essentially, the right system, designed well and installed correctly, will pay for itself within its warranty period. For the rest of its life, it will make you money. That’s the premise upon which we operate.”
Sensible Solar is a specialist team focused on creating a successful, long-term relationship with their clients. They do this with world-class products with solid warrantees and SA based operations, and they provide a personal commitment to superb service.
FOR MORE INFO:
- Warwick: 083 7797 094
- WhatsApp 072 952 9212
- info@sensible.co.za
- www.sensible.co.za