As increasingly more people grow weary of loadshedding and power cuts, solar power is becoming quite the popular solution to keep the lights on and water hot. Typically, the most affordable and perhaps easiest place for people to dip their toes into this energy alternative is through the solar geysers. 

Solar geysers are an extremely useful way to save money on your electricity bill, reduce your carbon footprint, and enjoy hot water even when the power is out. That said, part of your research before you decide which solar geyser is right for you and book the installation is to review the costs. 

Here’s a closer look at the prices of solar geysers in South Africa. 

First, The Technology And Type Matters  

To understand the different prices of solar geysers, you’d have to start with the different types available. Essentially, there are two main technologies that collect solar energy – the flat plate collectors and the evacuated tube collectors. The plates are either made out of copper or aluminium and absorb sunlight, which is used to heat water, whereas the tube collectors are comprised of vacuum-sealed glass tubes that trap heat to be used for heating. 

Beyond the collection technology, you should also know that there are different systems that do the actual heating. Again, there are two main types – the direct circulation system and the indirect circulation system. Essentially, the direct system circulates water directly through the solar collector (plate or tubes) and into the storage tank, while the indirect system contains a heat transfer medium that is circulated through the pipes within the system to heat the water and then returned to the solar collector for re-heating. 

Why do you need to understand all this? Well, the choice of technology and system plays a role in the price. For instance, indirect systems (relying on the evacuated tubes) are typically more expensive. These systems tend to offer greater efficiency and longer lifespans and are more suitable for colder climates and popular with both residential and commercial applications. Conversely, direct systems (using the flat plate collectors) are a more affordable and popular choice for residential applications, helping you reduce your energy bill and give you reliable access to hot water for daily use. 

That’s why it’s so important that the company or salesperson you deal with is knowledgeable and able to offer you the right solution based on your budget, geographical area, water quality and number of people in your household using the hot water from the solar geyser. 

A Breakdown Of The Price Of Solar Geysers 

Now that you’re armed with a bit more information around how the basic mechanics work, we can break down the different solar geyser options and their related prices. 

It’s worth noting that the price of a solar geyser in South Africa will vary. The price you pay will hinge on a few factors, including the brand, the size and capacity of the geyser, the installation costs involved, and any additional features you opt for, such as back-up heating elements. 

On average, though, the cost of an entire, fully kitted out solar geyser package in South Africa tends to range from around R15,000 to R45,000. 

For example, you could get the Kwikot Kwiksol – Sustainable solar geyser (150L capacity and 400kPa direct solar geyser), which is a single component of what you need to run this solar solution, and pay a starting price of R6,000, with some online prices reflecting R7,568. However, this isn’t the only investment you’ll make to get up and running and it’s worth chatting to your preferred supplier in order to get a closer look at all the costs involved. 

Feeling informed? 

The choice to go solar is quickly transitioning from the position of getting it as a luxury to becoming an actual necessity.  

If you’re still not sure about your options, we have a series of handy articles – including advice on the pros and cons of solar power, how to start things off with a smart geyser, how to get your free property report and much more.  

We trust that this information will help you make an informed decision.