Épisodes

  • How can I pay for solar power?

    How can I pay for solar power?
    Jun 30 2023
    As Frodo says at the end of the first and best Lord of the Rings trilogy - "It is done". In this final episode of Season 1, I cover the different ways you can pay for a solar power system, as well as the tax rebates available to both homeowners and businesses. If you've just finished listening to the entire series, thank you! It's been a labour of love and learning to create a technically complex like this. Hundreds of hours have gone into it, and I hope it was worth your time. If you liked the show, please share it with your friends and enemies. If you want to sponsor this season or season 2, also feel free to get in touch. Some useful links:The government's FAQ for the solar panel tax incentive for homeowners is here. Marc Mentioned these companies that offer subscription models: MetrowattGoSolrVersifyHuge thanks to:Marc du Plessis from LookSee. Michael Rushby from GalbraithRushby Accounting - contact them to talk about the investment product we mention for about 12 seconds near the end of the episode. Finally:I make podcasts for other people. YOU could be other people by checking out my website or my LinkedIn.My other show: South African Ex-Pats (Psst, there's a preview of that show at the end of the episode)My other other show: Visualise This. (soon to be remastered)For more Off-the-Grid info, summaries, infographics and other cool stuff, sign up here.
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    28 min
  • Can you make money selling energy back to the grid?

    Can you make money selling energy back to the grid?
    May 7 2023
    We all want to reduce our reliance on Eskom and reduce our energy bill. But can you actually turn a profit by turning to alternative energy? In this short episode we clear all that up for you. I make podcasts for other people. YOU could be other people by checking out my website or my LinkedIn.Huge thanks to my guests in this episode:Shayne Acar (A Car?) (Akahhh?) (Eeeyyyyy...Car!) from MaxicomsKadri Nassiep, Executive Director for Energy in the City of Cape TownNeil Berrow from Solar AdviceMatthew Cruise from Hohm EnergyMy other show: South African Ex-Pats (Psst, there's a preview of that show at the end of the episode)My other other show: Visualise This. (soon to be remastered)Click here to subscribe to my newsletter. I'll send you ticklists, guides, infographics and other non-spammy stuff only. Please send Off the Grid to your unsuspecting friends and family.For more Off-the-Grid info, summaries, infographics and other cool stuff, sign up here.
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    12 min
  • Who can you trust?

    Who can you trust?
    Apr 25 2023
    There are a lot of new contractors and suppliers installing solar power systems as demand has recently skyrocketed. Unfortunately, the solar power boom has come with its fair share of scams and underqualified installers. This episode is all about figuring out who you can trust. As mentioned in the episode, here are some great questions to ask a supplier before going ahead with a solar power installation: What prior experience do you have in solar PV installations?What three recent clients of yours can I phone for references?Did you design, supply and install the systems, or did you only carry out one or two of these steps?Are you an accredited service provider under PV Green Card, SAPVIA or P4 Platform?Can you supply proof of electrical Certificates of Compliance and/or professional engineer sign-offs on previous installations?Can you prove that your previous installations were correctly authorised by the local authority (or Eskom if direct customers)?Do you employ or subcontract qualified staff to design and install systems? (Note: The City of Cape Town suggests you ask for “proof of up-to-date registration (a wireman’s licence and DoLE registration)”).Is the inverter you are quoting for on the local authority’s approved inverter list? (Note: Find the City of Cape Town’s list here; if you are told that your local authority has no such list, get written confirmation).If you propose a “grid-tied system” (see definition below) do you have available an Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) registered professional to sign it off?Are the solar PV panels in compliance with SANS/IEC standards? (Note: The City of Cape Town article recommends you get a certificate of compliance for SANS/IEC 61215:2015 / SANS/IEC 61646:2016).Are you registered with SAPVIA and the ECB? (Note: Per The City of Cape Town “it’s not compulsory but shows commitment to industry best practice.”)What warranties apply to your installation and the components? (Keep proof, with all manuals).Is your quote comprehensive and does it include installation of circuit breakers (specialized to the DC current from the panels), obtaining SSEG registration (see below) and a Certificate of Compliance?Many thanks to Miltons Matsemela for allowing me to repost their excellent questions in this episode. Here is their original article. I make podcasts for other people. YOU could be other people by checking out my website or my LinkedIn.Huge thanks to my guests in this episode:Shayne Acar (A Car?) (Akahhh?) (Eeeyyyyy...Car!) from MaxicomsJean-Claude Malengret, from RubiconNeil Berrow from Solar AdviceMatthew Cruise from ...
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    14 min
  • Finding the Right Alternative Energy Solution for You (clue: Rhymes with molar, polar, and ¡Hola!)

    Finding the Right Alternative Energy Solution for You (clue: Rhymes with molar, polar, and ¡Hola!)
    Apr 21 2023
    Hi, I'm Jon Warncke. Welcome to this practical guide to shedding load-shedding. In this episode I:Briefly touch on various energy systems and settle pretty quickly on solar power.Find out if you can go totally off the Eskom grid and how much that costs.How to reduce your energy costs hugely BEFORE you go and get a quote.Learn about the various parts of a solar power system.Learn about various load-shedding solutions, from cheapest to most expensive. Lead Acid VS Lithium Ion batteries (do NOT buy lead acid if you can avoid it)Experts' recommendations for how much power you probably need at a ballpark of what that may cost. This series is totally free, has no sponsors or ads (yet), and I reckon I've spent over 100 hours or more producing it, so far. It's a personal project, a portfolio piece, a passion project. Please help me spread it far and wide by tapping the appropriate buttons or mentioning the show to friends over a coffee. Yes, it can only be coffee. Tea drinkers and other weirdos need not apply.I make podcasts for other people. YOU could be other people by checking out my website or my LinkedIn.Huge thanks to my guests in this episode:Shayne Acar (A Car?) (Akahhh?) (Eeeyyyyy...Car!) from MaxicomsJean-Claude Malengret, from RubiconNeil Berrow from Solar AdviceMatthew Cruise from Hohm EnergyMy other show: South African Ex-PatsMy other other show: Visualise This. (soon to be remastered)Love a pre-solar-quote ticklist? Desire an infographic about electricity cost? Secretly pine for a downloadable step-by-step guide to going (mostly) off the grid?Then rejoice! I have created a newsletter that I will use to send you useful tools like the above. I know you don't want to sign up for yet another newsletter, but how else will I leverage you?
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    29 min
  • Top 15 Frequently Asked Questions about getting off the grid - the spoiler to the guide.

    Top 15 Frequently Asked Questions about getting off the grid - the spoiler to the guide.
    Apr 20 2023
    Hi, I'm Jon Warncke. Welcome to this practical guide to shedding load-shedding. I've read a LOT of articles and these are the 15 questions I keep seeing again and again. Collected here for your convenience. How did it come to this? Is load-shedding going to get worse? Does it make sense to set up some kind of alternative energy system right now?Do I need a full solar setup?Why are you only talking about solar in this show?Can I get fully off the grid?What are the parts that make up a solar power system?I've got solar installed. I don't have to think about electricity, right?How do I pay for this? What incentives and rebates are available for home energy and solar systems? How much can I save on my electricity bill?Can I make money selling energy back into the grid? How do I make sure I don't get cheated, or burn my house down?What's the difference between a UPS, inverter, and solar system?Secret question is secretive. Some answers are long than the A in an FAQ will allow. In those cases I'll point you to the episode in this series that answers the question fully (I hope).This series is totally free, has no sponsors or ads (yet), and I reckon I've spent over 100 hours or more producing it, so far. It's a personal project, a portfolio piece, a passion project. Please help me spread it far and wide by tapping the appropriate buttons or mentioning the show to friends over a coffee. Yes, it can only be coffee. Tea drinkers and other weirdos need not apply. I make podcasts for other people. YOU could be other people by checking out my website or my LinkedIn. Thanks to my guests in this episode: Shayne Acar (A Car?) (Akahhh?) (Eeeyyyyy...Car!) from Maxicoms Jean-Claude Malengret, from RubiconNeil Berrow from Solar AdviceMy other show: South African Ex-PatsMy other other show: Visualise This. (soon to be remastered)Love a pre-solar-quote ticklist? Desire an infographic about electricity cost? Secretly pine for a downloadable step-by-step guide to going (mostly) off the grid? Then rejoice! I have created a newsletter that I will use to send you useful tools like the above. I know you don't want to sign up for yet another newsletter, but how else will I leverage you?
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    12 min