Solar FAQ South Africa: Inverters, Batteries, Panels, Geysers and Pumps
Straight answers to the questions South African buyers ask most about solar inverters, lithium batteries, panels, solar geysers and borehole pumps. The Sun Pays has supplied solar equipment since 2007 and sells from Rayton, Pretoria. Can't find your answer? Call 012 734 0915 or WhatsApp 082 515 1655 (messages only).
Choosing a system
What size solar inverter do I need?
Add up everything that can run at the same time, then add 25 to 30% for motor start-up surges. A small home with lights, TV, fridge and Wi-Fi often fits a 3 to 5kW inverter, while larger homes, farms and businesses with pumps or air-conditioning may need 8 to 12kW. See our inverter size guide or the sizing calculator.
How many solar panels and batteries do I need?
Panels are sized to your daily energy use, and batteries to what you use when the sun is down. Our panel and battery guide shows the calculation with an example.
Will solar keep my power on during load shedding?
Yes, if the system has an inverter and a battery. The inverter switches to battery power when the grid goes off. A system with panels only and no battery will not power your home during an outage.
Can I add more batteries later?
Yes. Our 51.2V 100Ah lithium battery can be connected in parallel with others, up to 16 batteries. It is not recommended to mix an older battery with a new one, because their internal resistance and firmware can differ.
Can I add more inverters later?
Some inverters can be connected in parallel. For example, the MUST 12kW inverter supports up to 6 units in parallel. Check the product page for each model.
Batteries
Lithium or lead-acid batteries?
Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries last more cycles, can be discharged deeper and need less maintenance, but cost more upfront. Lead-acid is cheaper to buy but has a shorter life. Read our battery guide.
What warranty do TheSunPays lithium batteries have?
The TheSunPays 48V LiFePO4 batteries carry a 5 year / 3500 cycle warranty. The warranty applies to the original buyer only, with proof of purchase from The Sun Pays. Read the full terms on the warranty page.
How do I monitor my inverter remotely?
Many inverters have a Wi-Fi module. We sell Wi-Fi modules for The Sun Pays 5.5kW, 6.2kW and 10.2kW inverters. You need one module per inverter.
Solar geysers
Low pressure or high pressure solar geyser?
Low pressure suits gravity-fed or low-pressure water supplies. High pressure suits mains-pressure water. See Low pressure vs high pressure solar geyser.
Does a solar geyser work on cloudy days?
Our low-pressure geyser accepts a standard electric element, so you can keep hot water on cloudy days.
Borehole pumps
Which solar borehole pump do I need?
It depends on your borehole depth, the flow you need and your power source. Use our pump selector to find the right model.
Delivery, warranty and support
Do you deliver across South Africa?
Yes. Delivery is free within 100 km of our Rayton store on orders above R5,000. Other orders pay shipping, shown at checkout. Fragile glass items such as solar geyser vacuum tubes are delivered locally within 100 km of Rayton; ask us for a courier quote if you are further away.
What are your trading hours?
Monday to Friday 07:30 to 16:00 and Saturday 08:00 to 12:00. Technical support is available on weekdays only, within those hours.
How do I make a warranty claim or return an item?
Warranty claims start with a ticket on our online ticketing system. Unused items can be returned within 14 days with proof of purchase; a 10% handling fee applies and you pay the delivery cost of sending the item back. See the warranty page and our returns policy.
How do I log a repair?
Use the Request a repair page, then follow your repair on the Track ticket page.
Is installation included?
No. Installation is not included with our products. Use a qualified, registered electrician, who should issue a certificate of compliance for the installation.
