Do you need a battery, or not?
If you want the fans running during load-shedding, this is the decision that matters.
The short version
- • On-grid is cheapest, but shuts off during a power cut.
- • Hybrid keeps you running in load-shedding and costs 60 to 80% more.
- • A battery is for comfort, not for saving money.
People buy solar for two different reasons. A smaller bill, or power during load-shedding.
They need different systems. Buying the wrong one is expensive.
The three types
On-grid. Panels and an inverter, connected to the grid. Cheapest, and works with net metering. It switches off during a power cut.
Hybrid. The same, plus a battery. Your chosen circuits keep running when the grid goes. Costs roughly 60 to 80% more.
Off-grid. No grid connection at all. Only makes sense where there is no supply, like a farm.
Which one is yours
| Your main reason | Usually |
|---|---|
| My bill is too high | On-grid |
| Load-shedding is unbearable | Hybrid |
| Both, tight budget | On-grid now, battery later |
| There is no connection | Off-grid |
A battery does not save you money
Panels replace units you would have bought. A battery just moves units from afternoon to evening, and net metering already does that for free. So price a battery by asking: what is an evening without power worth to me, and how many evenings a year?
Keep the backup small
The cheapest hybrid backs up a short list. Fans, lights, internet, fridge.
Adding air conditioning multiplies the battery you need. A fan uses tens of watts. An AC uses thousands.
Ask for a separate backup board with only the circuits you chose. It is a small job during installation and an awkward one later.
Compare batteries and hybrid inverters, with the date each price was updated.
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