Start with what you actually need to keep on
There is no single "load-shedding solution". The right one depends on what you want running when the power goes off. For most homes the essentials are lights, Wi-Fi, the fridge, a television, a charged laptop and a few plug points. Some households need more: a home office, a medical device, a borehole pump or a small business till.
We ask you to list the circuits that matter. From that we size the battery and inverter, and decide whether solar panels are worth adding now or later.
The options, from small to full
Plug-in and trolley units are the smallest option. They are portable, but they only cover a few devices and usually cannot run a fridge or a geyser.
Battery and inverter with a changeover is the workhorse solution. Essential circuits are wired to a sub-board, and the battery and inverter take over automatically when the grid drops. This is the option most Cape Town homes choose.
Battery, inverter and solar adds panels so the battery recharges from the sun during the day. It costs more up front but cuts your monthly bill as well as keeping the lights on.
Generator backup still makes sense for very large loads or long outages, but it needs fuel, maintenance and a safe location. Many homes use a battery for routine load-shedding and keep a generator only for extended outages.
How changeover works
When the grid fails, the inverter switches your essential circuits onto battery power in a fraction of a second. Lights may flicker briefly but you do not have to reset clocks or restart Wi-Fi. When the grid returns, the system switches back and recharges the battery. With a hybrid inverter and solar panels, it recharges from the sun first.
Who it is for
Households tired of resetting clocks and losing food. Home offices that cannot afford downtime. Small businesses with fridges, tills or equipment that must stay on. Complexes and body corporates that want to keep gates, lights and lifts running. See our battery backup and energy storage page for more detail.
What affects the price
How many circuits you keep on, how long you want the backup to last, whether solar is included, and the electrical work needed to split essential circuits. A solution sized for lights and Wi-Fi costs a fraction of one built to run a geyser.
Related pages
Read how solar and battery backup work, or find us in the City Bowl and Atlantic Seaboard.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to beat load-shedding?
It depends on how much you want to keep running. A small battery and inverter can cover lights, Wi-Fi, a fridge and a few plugs. Adding solar panels lowers your bill further. We quote options at different budgets.
Is a battery better than a generator?
A battery is silent, needs no fuel, starts automatically and adds no exhaust. A generator suits very large loads or long outages, but most homes do better with a battery and inverter.
Can I add solar later to a backup system?
Yes. If we install a hybrid inverter, you can add solar panels later and the battery will charge from the sun instead of the grid.