2023 Solar Power Predictions

The year 2022 came and went. Few will forget how difficult this year was in terms of challenges faced. Being the resilient people we are most of these challenges we overcame. From the high cost of fuel, frequent power cuts to high interest rates to mention a few. Being the optimist I am I will not dwell on the challenges faced but will focus on the year 2023, which promises to be a much better year in many respects. In the article I will make a few predictions for 2023. My first prediction is that more people who have been postponing the move to solar over the last few months, will be going for solar as we head into a difficult 2023 winter. They will pick a package that suits their needs and upgrade as they go.

A number of our clients in 2022 decided to go solar with us and have not looked back! They are patting themselves on the back because their systems overnight became their primary source of power. When a good plan comes together life gets easier and planning is easier. A good solar system starts with design and components installation. I was speaking to one of clients who is running a 10 KW off grid system with 23 KWH battery storage, which we installed for him in October 2021 and they said going solar with us was one of the best decisions they have ever made.

In their own words, “This system is the best thing I did in 2022 and I don’t regret making the move when I did. Not only did I save USD1500 in electricity bills, I didn’t run a generator either but had enough power during the year. ”, he said. ?The system is running his pumps, TV, WiFi, lights, toaster and microwave. Quality of life is better as a result of the system. As the year 2022 wore on power cuts became more frequent and were longer, lasting up to 16 hours a day.

Having just an AC coupled inverter without solar panels did not help in 2022, as utility power was not enough to recharge the batteries. We see many families that have this type of system putting up solar panels on their roofs in 2023 as we battle the power cuts. The cost of electricity is also another reason why many people will move to solar. Electricity from the sun is free and will remain free forever. ?Solar Technology is getting better by the month with more products coming out that simplify the process of going solar.

Smart charge controllers, more efficient solar panels, Hybrid grid tied inverters that allow critical and non-critical loads to be run on the same system. By far the most exciting technology are the cheaper long lasting lithium batteries that have hit the market in recent month. Storage technology is now more accessible to customers and this changes the whole game going into 2023. Cloud monitoring apps are also becoming more accessible making it easier for us to monitor consumption, production and faults. More people will move to our all in one solutions. Businesses too will embrace solar in 2023 and go for modular systems that allow future upgrades. Solarpro has begun to see a steady increase in enquiries from business clients.

One of my close friends remarked the by 2025 Power Utility companies in Southern Africa may wake up with no customers as everyone will have made their own plan. This is good for the economy as it means that countries will not need to spend more on new infrastructure at the break-neck speed that they are required to do so now with the current pressure on the grid.

In 2023 Banks, pension funds, high net individuals looking for alternative investments will finally come to the party as they become more comfortable funding solar. Another trend we see happening is system upgrades and reinstallations. The decision to go solar is not always an easy one. Affordability has been a key issue.

Unfortunately many customers fall for the cheap solar trap only to discover after installation that they made the wrong decision. This is costly in the end. If you haven’t gone solar yet avoid going for cheap solutions as they won’t be able to give you what you are looking for, that is reliable power day in day out.

Another trend that is picking up is the ‘solarisation’ of rural homesteads. Many people are done waiting for power utilities to come to their rural home and adopting mini-grids for their villages. With the right approach this trend will change rural areas in 2023 and beyond. Solarpro continues to design and implement such systems. You are welcome to contact us to discuss your requirements.

To our current and future clients we would like to thank you for your remarkable contribution and cooperation. We value your support and are truly grateful to you for choosing us as your solar energy partner. As we embrace a brand new year, let us continue to work together for a better cleaner world. Clean energy means better livelihoods for all. Happy New Year. Best wishes from all of us at Solarpro.co.zw. ?