SolarSupport 2026 – Now with Lithium Fire Protection

If the safety of your solar or battery system matters to you – especially the growing risk of lithium battery fires – then it’s worth taking a closer look at AWPower’s upgraded Solar Maintenance & Support Agreement (SM&SA 2026).

Developed in collaboration with Fidelity SecureFire and Santam, SM&SA 2026 introduces a new level of safety, compliance, and performance monitoring for solar PV systems, battery backup solutions, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

And importantly, we’ve enhanced the offering while reducing the annual subscription cost.

What’s new in SM&SA 2026?

1. 24/7 Lithium Fire Early-Warning Monitoring

At the centre of the upgrade is the HeatWatch, a remote, early-warning thermal monitoring system that continuously tracks lithium batteries and other heat-generating components such as combiner boxes.

Monitored by Fidelity SecureFire, HeatWatch detects abnormal temperature changes and can trigger alerts and optional fire-response services before a situation escalates. For example, damage to a lithium battery can cause a slow temperature rise over several hours before ignition – HeatWatch is designed to flag these events early.

Each site can be equipped with multiple HeatWatch devices, with access to a live monitoring dashboard.

2. First-line fire protection (optional)

As an additional safety measure, SM&SA 2026 subscribers can include a Fidelity SecureFire-certified 9L gel-type fire extinguisher, specifically designed to suppress lithium-related fires quickly and effectively. This is a once-off optional
addition.

**Limited-time promotion

To support the rollout of these new safety features, SM&SA 2026 subscribers will receive a 10% discount on the total agreement value when including at least one HeatWatch device with Fidelity SecureFire monitoring.
Promotion valid until 31 March 2026.

3. Free Solar Systems Audit (for non-AWPower installations)

If your system was not originally installed by AWPower, we’ll include a full on-site Solar Systems Audit – featuring our 60-point risk and performance scorecard – as part of your first scheduled annual inspection.

4. Support outside the Cape Town region

Clients outside Cape Town can still access AWPower’s fire safety, remote monitoring, and support services. Remote support is provided alongside trained local electricians or customer-appointed “boots on the ground” teams.

5. Why Ongoing Support Protects Your Savings

When properly serviced and actively maintained, a solar system will consistently outperform grid-supplied electricity on a Rand-per-kWh basis. AWPower’s engineering analysis shows that this performance gap doesn’t just hold – it widens over time, delivering increasing savings as grid tariffs continue to rise.

Further reading from our Managing Director, Christiaan Hattingh

Why It’s Important to Service Your Solar PV System
A practical look at why solar systems need regular checks and adjustments to maintain safety, compliance, and long-term savings, especially as systems age and usage patterns change.

The Hidden Cost of Solar Systems That Aren’t Audited
Why a system that’s “working” isn’t always performing optimally. This article explains how small efficiency losses, incorrect settings, and missed compliance issues can quietly cost system owners thousands over time.