For long-term performance, safety, and absolute peace of mind
SolarSupport
SolarSupport
SolarSupport 26
Your Solar System Might Be Underperforming.
You Just Can’t See It Yet.
Your solar system is running. The lights are on. The app shows generation, but that doesn’t mean it’s performing the way it should.
Across hundreds of systems we’ve inspected, we see the same pattern:
- Systems losing 10 - 15% of production without anyone noticing
- Inverter settings never optimised after installation
- Batteries operating outside ideal ranges
- Small faults quietly reducing output
It may seem like ‘nothing dramatic’ but over time, it is a slow, steady loss of performance and that turns into thousands of rands in missed savings.
Risks and Rewards
Why This Matters Now
Electricity tariffs increased again in April 2026. Which means every unit your system doesn’t produce… costs more. Every inefficiency hurts more than it did last year.
Solar was meant to protect you from rising costs. It only does that if it’s performing properly.
The Risk Most Solar Owners Don’t Think About
Performance is only one side of the story.
We’re seeing a growing number of risks in existing systems:
- Lithium battery-related fire exposure
- Heat build-up in wiring, combiner boxes, and switchgear
- Systems that were never fully compliant or signed off
- Missing documentation that could affect insurance claims
If something goes wrong and your system isn’t compliant or maintained,
that’s a difficult conversation with your insurer.
This is becoming more relevant as systems age.
Mitigating the risk of fire in a Solar PV system
Worried about the risk of fire when installing a Solar PV system? Then take 3 minutes to read an article written by our very own director – Christiaan Hattingh, that takes a look at the risks involved and how to ensure that your system remains well-maintained and safe after installation.
Solar Isn’t “Install and Forget”
A solar system is a long-term asset, and like any asset, it needs oversight.
Without ongoing maintenance:
- Seasonal changes reduce performance
- Incorrect settings reduce savings
- Compliance lapses invalidate insurance
- Safety issues go unnoticed
- Lithium batteries remain unmonitored
With proper maintenance:
- Your ROI increases
- Your system lasts longer
- Performance stays consistent
- Safety risks drop significantly
- Your property stays protected
The systems that perform best over 10 - 15 years are the ones that are actively managed… not ignored.
As reseached by AWPower’s engineering team. Read it here.
Introducing SolarSupport 2026
We didn’t just update our maintenance offering – we rebuilt it.
SolarSupport 26 is an engineering-led maintenance and support programme designed to:
- Protect your savings
- Keep your system performing at its best
- Reduce safety and fire risk
- Ensure ongoing compliance
- Extend the lifespan of your system
Built in collaboration with Fidelity SecureFire and Santam, it’s designed around what we’re actually seeing in the field.
24/7 Lithium & Electrical Fire Monitoring
One of the biggest risks in modern systems sits inside the battery.
That’s why SolarSupport 26 includes HeatWatch:
- Continuous thermal monitoring of lithium batteries and electrical components
- Detection of abnormal temperature behaviour
- Early warning before failure or ignition
- 24/7 monitoring by Fidelity SecureFire
This is active risk management – not just monitoring.
HeatWatch is about the size of a mobile phone and easy to install. It has a long-life battery and can be attached to a battery or fuse box with a gum strip, after which it can be connected to Fidelity’s Sigfox, which is a network providing national SA coverage mostly focused in areas where there is economic activity and population, which is very similar to the SA cellular network coverage. Sigfox SA coverage is shown in the map below:
Any area covered in blue (average), green (good) and red (excellent) has coverage with different levels of signal quality. Sigfox also has coverage in Botswana and Namibia for possibly future expansion of AWPower.
Gel-type Lithium Battery Extinguisher
We believe no solar PV installation should be without Fidelity’s FireBlock 9L gel-type Fire Extinguisher. See in the video how it kills lithium fires quickly and effectively compared to other types of extinguishers.
See it in action below:
Inclusions
What We Actually Do
(And Why It Matters)
We go beyond “checking if it works”. Our engineering-led audits and support include:
- Full system performance assessment
- Inverter and battery optimisation
- Inspection of wiring, fuses, connectors and protection devices
- Compliance and documentation verification (COC, SSEG, warranties)
- Identification of safety risks and inefficiencies
- Ongoing monitoring and system adjustments
For systems not installed by AWPower, we include a detailed audit at the start - often uncovering issues the owner wasn’t aware of.
Common Issues
What We See Every Week
Some real examples from the field:
- A single faulty connector reducing output by 15%
- Systems running for years with incorrect settings
- Batteries are degrading faster due to incorrect configuration
- Installations that don’t meet compliance requirements
In many cases, the fix is simple, such as a setting change or a small adjustment. A correction that takes less than an hour, but adds thousands back into annual savings.
Solar Should Be Working Harder
Your solar system should:
- Reduce your electricity bill consistently
- Reduce your electricity bill consistently
- Deliver the return you expected when you invested
If it’s not doing that, something needs attention.
When Last Was Your System Checked?
If it’s been more than 12–18 months…
or if it’s never been professionally audited…
There’s a strong chance it’s not performing at its full potential.
SolarSupport 26 Options
1.
One Mandatory Service: The Annual On-Site Inspection
(Mandatory)
The foundation of safe, compliant and high-performing solar.
Your annual inspection includes:
- Full safety and performance assessment
- Verification of wiring, isolators, breakers and protection devices
- Battery and inverter checks
- Insurance and municipal compliance review
- Checking of system settings
- Covers systems up to 50kW
- Includes sites within 30km of AWPower
(Custom quotes available for larger or remote systems)
2.
Remote Performance Monitoring
(Optional)
Small tweaks = big savings.
After auditing hundreds of systems, our engineers found the same recurring issue:
Incorrect inverter and battery settings costing owners thousands per year.
Our remote monitoring service includes:
- Seasonal optimisation
- Detection of inefficiencies and irregular behaviour
- Performance alerts
- Weekly, monthly or quarterly reporting (your choice)
This service pays for itself through improved system output.
3.
NEW: Lithium Battery Fire Safety & Early Warning
(Optional)
The biggest safety enhancement since the launch of the SolarSupport.
HeatWatch – 24/7 Battery Thermal Monitoring:
Monitored by Fidelity SecureFire/ADT, HeatWatch provides early detection of:
- Abnormal internal temperature spikes
- Thermal runaway conditions
- Battery puncture or mechanical damage
- High-risk temperature fluctuations
HeatWatch can trigger alerts and — if selected — activate professional fire-response support.
Optional Fire Suppression: 9L Gel-Type Fire Extinguisher:
Designed specifically for lithium battery fires:
- Fast and effective
- Certified
- Once-off purchase
- Available from mid-January 2026.
Supporting Services
Solar System Audit
(60-Point Risk Analysis)
If your solar PV 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 when subscribing to an AWPower SolarSupport 2026 agreement.
A deep technical review conducted by a Senior Engineer + Certified Electrician:
- Safety & conformance review
- Performance metrics
- Insurance compatibility
- Component & installation quality check
- Wear-and-tear assessment
- Immediate red flags
Ideal for the following:
- Inherited systems
- Pre-insurance checks
- Property purchases
- Commercial portfolios
- Non-performing installations
Solar PV Cleaning
Professional cleaning increases panel performance by up to 25%.
Our cleaning partners offer:
- Safe rooftop access
- Internationally compliant cleaning techniques
- Wiring and structure inspection
- Eco-friendly cleaning products
- Early morning or late afternoon cleaning slots
Take the Next Step
Solar is one of the best investments you can make in your energy costs, but only if it’s managed properly.
