Shifting to solar power in Kenya is an excellent way to save energy costs and your solar panel system in Kenya will yield significant savings for about 25 years by using the sun’s clean, renewable power. Once you’ve decided to make the big switch to solar, be sure to do your research so that you don’t make any expensive mistakes along the way.
To help you get on the right track, we put together a list of the five common mistakes homeowners make when investing in solar energy in Kenya.
Mistake #1: Thinking that investing in solar is too costly
While it’s true that any solar power system or technology requires an up-front investment, switching to renewable energy is one of the most cost-effective home modifications you can make considering the money you’ll save in the long run compared to powering your home via Kenya Power
In addition, the security that comes with making a sustainable decision like switching to solar energy in Kenya for the home is priceless. Perhaps the greatest benefit of switching to solar energy is the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re in full control of your power – no more being at the mercy of Kenya Power’s frequent blackouts/outages.
Mistake #2: Not monitoring your system
Many home owners think of going solar as a “set it up and forget it” situation. Once their PV system is installed, they don’t really contemplate what’s happening on the roof.
To make sure your system is producing as expected and that you’re getting the most out of your money, monitoring your system is crucial. To keep an eye on how efficiently your solar energy generation system is operating, all Jesaton Systems solar power installations in Kenya come with monitoring so you can easily track your system performance using your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
The average solar installation produces energy for 25+ years, so in the last 15 to 20 years of the life of your system, you’ll see a significant return on your investment as you produce free energy from the sun.
Mistake #3: Believing that solar is a bad investment
It’s no secret that investing in genuine solar in Kenya isn’t cheap. Some home owners look at the initial costs of going solar and think that they’d be throwing their money away. Actually, the opposite is true.
Investing in solar is a four to five-figure outlay. That’s a big commitment. But electricity from the power company definitely isn’t cheap, and Kenya Power prices are escalating rapidly. In reality, when you consider the long-term value of owning a solar system, most grid-tied systems pay for themselves fairly quickly and make you a profit over the life of the system.
The average solar installation produces energy for 25+ years, so in the last 15 to 20 years of the life of your system, you’ll see a significant return on your investment as you produce free energy from the sun.
Mistake #4: Believing solar panels can only be used on your roof
Some homeowners in Kenya don’t tap into the power of the sun because they don’t want a solar panel installation on their roof, or their roof is not an ideal location to capture the sun’s rays. If you don’t want to see solar panels on your roof, or if your roof doesn’t get much sun, don’t give up on solar energy. There might be a different location on your property that will work.
In most upcountry and private homes, it’s typical that there’s a little-used outdoor space that is just perfect for ground-mounted panels. Or, you might consider building a solar carport or solar gazebo.
Could a non-traditional solar installation be the right solution for you? We can help you find answers. Talk to one of our solar energy experts today.
Mistake #5: Doing it yourself
You know that stereotype of a husband and wife debating about whether to call a plumber to fix their pipes? The husband insists he can save money by fixing it himself, but he ends up making the problem worse. And when the wife finally brings a plumber in, fixing the problem is far more expensive than it would have been if the couple had worked with an expert in the first place.
That happens in the solar sector, too. Not necessarily the stereotypical battle of the sexes part. But definitely the “I can do it myself for less” part.
Haphazardly putting together your own solar panel system in Kenya might be the worst solar mistake of all. Not only is it expensive for an expert solar energy team to undo your bad deeds, installing solar equipment incorrectly can create dangerous conditions.
You could end up with a box of mismatched components that nobody will support because it was bought from all over the Internet, inverters that are undersized for your panel output, panels of varying sizes that don’t fit together on the mount, components that don’t wire together due to different connectors, or a power center missing essential components like circuit breakers/disconnects, a remote control, and monitoring hardware.
You could end up with a system that doesn’t work. Or, worse, you might build a system that overloads and fries your home’s wiring or creates a fire hazard.
Ready to make a smooth switch to solar?
If you’re considering going solar in Kenya but don’t want to make costly mistakes or create headaches, Jesaton Systems can definitely help! We empower home owners to make a hassle-free transition to renewable, solar energy and reduce their energy costs.
By signing up for Jesaton Home Solar, you can save your monthly energy bill and enjoy all inclusive maintenance as we ensure you are getting the most out of your investment. If you are interested in learning more about commercial solar systems & cost, contact us at hello@jesaton.co.ke Call: 0715 020605
