Some helpful tips to consider when you plan your switch to solar:
1. Choose a qualified and compliant installation company.
Why?
- regulations are adhered to and helps to reduce possible breakdowns.
- ensures a successful claim, if and when needed.
- avoids the problem of being under-insured.
2. Solar panel installations does improve your property value. It follows that your home insurance should be updated to ensure the appropriate cover accordingly.
Other alternative energy sources such as inverters, battery packs, generators also need to be factored into your policy to avoid unexpected expenses.
3. Solar panels are not only valuable for generating electricity but also because of the materials content which is silver, aluminium and copper – which is sought after on the black market. As a result, solar panel theft is definitely on the rise!
4. Also, use appropriate anti-theft mechanisms or additional security enhancements to secure your installation(s).
5. Insuring or protecting your appliances against power surge, is also important.
6. Surge protection, may be covered by homeowners’ insurance to a specified limit, based on the cause of the surge. This type of cover is today, especially important in areas that have load reduction. An important concern is the fact that fires can result from a power surge.
7. Surge protectors are available on the market and can be installed for the entire house or for particular appliances.
8. The other alternative is to unplug your appliance during a storm or an expected power surge.
9. Remember! ‘Cover your solar installations, manage the risks involved and safeguard your investment’.
[https://mybroadband.co.za/news/energy/57989-warning-to-people-with-solar -in-south-africa.html; https://www.progressive.com; Warning for homeowners with rooftop solar in South Africa – BusinessTech]
