Rustenburg Herald Newspaper

 Rules homeowners should know before installing solar power

RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - There are several pitfalls when using solar power that can result in things going wrong during the insurance claims stage, warns Tarina Vlok, Managing Director of a specialist high net worth insurer. 

Wealthy South Africans are reducing their reliance on Eskom’s national grid by partially or fully converting their households to solar energy. Some wish to escape the ever-increasing price hikes, and others want a reliable power supply free from load-shedding interruptions. Many want to do their part for the planet by using cleaner energy.

However, homeowners should ensure their solar installations comply with regulations, so they do not run into issues with their insurer down the line.

“The installation of solar geyser systems differ immensely from that of an electrical system and is subject to strict regulations,” said Vlok.

“We often have to reject claims or are unable to replace geysers because the previous installation did not comply with regulation.”

Full solar energy installations are expensive — ranging from R80,000 for small grid-tied systems to over R500,000 to take a larger house completely off-grid.

“If you are spending this kind of money on a solar system, then it makes sense to work with qualified technicians and installers who know what they are doing,” added Vlok.

“You don’t want any regrets should you need to ever claim from your insurer.”

Vlok noted that an engineer’s certificate must be issued for all solar geyser installations of 300 litres or more. She also encouraged clients to ensure that their solar geyser systems are installed by technicians who are well versed with the regulations and supported by the appropriate engineering professionals.

“Policyholders should make sure that their installer demonstrates that they are familiar with the technical regulations relating to solar installations,” said Vlok.

She summarised them as follows:

* Installers must ensure that the roof structure can support the solar system. Where it is impossible to comply, a professional engineer or registered technologist must design the installation so that the standard’s safety and performance principles are incorporated. 

* Water heaters or storage tanks with a capacity of 200 litres or more may not be attached to a wall. 

* The solar system must be installed so that it does not accelerate the deterioration of the roof. To avoid catastrophes when it comes to the claims stage, Vlok encouraged policyholders to use their insurer’s network to find accredited technicians and installers who can put the right solutions in place.

“If your electrical geyser bursts and you want to replace it, some specialist insurers will offer you the opportunity to use the claim payment to pay either in part or full for a solar geyser system instead of a new electric geyser,” Vlok concluded.