Now and then, someone tells me, “Our solar system is fine. It’s working…” I always smile and ask, “How do you know?”
In many cases, nothing is ‘obviously’ wrong. Their lights stay on, and the inverter is running. The monitoring app shows generation. On the surface level, everything looks ‘fine’, BUT, when we dig a little deeper, the story often changes.
Over the past year, we’ve audited several systems that showed no dramatic failures… just a slow, silent underperformance. A connector is slightly loose, or the inverter settings were never optimised after installation. Batteries cycling outside ideal parameters … just 10 – 15% less production than there should have been.
For example: On one commercial site, a single faulty string connector was reducing output by around 15%! The business didn’t notice it immediately and their operations continued as normal. But over months, that shortfall translated into real money left on the table.
Here’s what most people underestimate:
- Panels degrade gradually
- Seasons change. Winter demand looks very different to summer demand.
- Firmware updates become available
- Time-of-use tariffs shift
What was perfectly set up two years ago may no longer be optimised for today.
Then, there’s compliance and insurance. Insurers are becoming more attentive when it comes to solar installations. If something goes wrong and documentation, sign-offs or maintenance records aren’t in order, that can become a very uncomfortable conversation.
This is why I keep saying: solar is not an install-and-forget investment!
The systems that consistently deliver strong savings over 10 to 15 years are the ones that are monitored, adjusted and serviced. Just like you wouldn’t run your business without reviewing financials or servicing your fleet, your energy asset deserves oversight, too.
An audit is about understanding performance and confirming that your system is delivering what you paid for – safely and efficiently.
Small adjustments can provide significant returns. Sometimes it’s a 20-minute settings change that adds thousands of Rands back into your annual savings.
If you’ve invested seriously in solar, take the time to check in on it properly.
*A recent install our team completed. Cape Town showing off!
