Assessing effectiveness and reliability of current solar systems implemented in residential units

Chapara, Tafadzwa

Assessing effectiveness and reliability of current solar systems implemented in residential units

Thesis / Dissertation

2026

Publisher

Unversity of Cape Town

Department

Department of Construction Economics and Management

Faculty

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

Abstract

In South Africa, the surge in the adoption of solar home systems, driven by frequent load shedding, has resulted in an influx of companies engaged in the sales and installation of these systems. A notable challenge has emerged as varying lifetimes of solar home systems among different installation companies indicate potential quality issues. The main challenges in the operability of solar home systems stem from two primary issues: incorrect design and installation, and system reliability. These issues are primarily caused by inaccurate load estimation and limited expertise in solar power systems. The study aims to determine the challenges homeowners face owning solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in residential settings across South Africa. The study aims to interview nine homeowners with a PV system and includes responses from twenty individuals who completed questionnaires. The data will be analysed using thematic analysis to generate theory-building findings. Semi-structured open-ended questions were asked. The study found several key challenges faced by residential solar system owners in South Africa. Installation and setup difficulties are prevalent, with many systems being installed incorrectly and not optimized, leading to excessive reliance on the grid. Technical and equipment issues further impact system performance. Other challenges are financial and operational, user experience and understanding, support, and service. This study is limited by a small sample and an interpretivistic philosophy. Future studies should focus on testing a larger number of systems regarding reliability and cost-benefit. Understanding solar operational unique challenges and reliability issues in this context can pave the way for tailored policies and initiatives. Addressing the challenges of solar systems contributes to the shift from traditional energy practices and this evolution is essential for modernizing residential energy solutions. Finally, if reliability is addressed, then the cost-benefit could be a more accurate calculation, which is critical in project management. While the benefits of solar panels are well known, it is unknown if the installed systems are living up to the desired practical and cost-saving expectations, due to the lack of experts in the field.

Keywords

solar photovoltaic systems

South Africa

Reference:

Collections

Masters

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