{"id":2398,"date":"2026-01-15T06:18:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T06:18:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398"},"modified":"2026-01-16T07:23:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T07:23:43","slug":"solar-panels-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398","title":{"rendered":"Solar Panels Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"2398\" class=\"elementor elementor-2398\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efad600 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"efad600\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ff8888 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0ff8888\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1168\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5ad6ab e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f5ad6ab\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b716500 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b716500\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10d7dca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"10d7dca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Section 1<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39f1db3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"39f1db3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Solar panels<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28172a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"28172a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #404040; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">The fundamentals<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05ac902 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"05ac902\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"95\" data-end=\"186\">Before diving in, we\u2019ll quickly go over some basic concepts.<br data-start=\"390\" data-end=\"393\" \/>Readers familiar with solar system terminology can skip this part.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e948138 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e948138\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Fundamentals<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-439d1b5 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"439d1b5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8630845 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8630845\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0dde62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d0dde62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">MPPT<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c8dfbb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8c8dfbb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"89\" data-end=\"474\">A MPPT monitors the voltage coming from your solar panel array and ensures the system produces <strong data-start=\"237\" data-end=\"264\">maximum possible energy<\/strong> at all times.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2104c0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2104c0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-9-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2372\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-9-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-9-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-9-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-9-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-9.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ba57e2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7ba57e2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11b8780 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"11b8780\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Photovoltaic<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b58c75b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b58c75b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"911\" data-end=\"1220\">Photovoltaic simply means turning sunlight into electricity. The word combines <em data-start=\"705\" data-end=\"711\">ph\u014ds<\/em>, meaning light, and <em data-start=\"732\" data-end=\"738\">volt<\/em>, which relates to electrical power.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1ec8e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b1ec8e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-14-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2377\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-14-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-14-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-14-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-14-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-14.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9cd5d5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a9cd5d5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ad7530 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9ad7530\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">PV Array<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16e5684 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"16e5684\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"911\" data-end=\"1220\">This is your complete solar panel setup that captures sunlight and converts it into electricity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bf3f70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0bf3f70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-10-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2373\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-10-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-10-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-10-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-10-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-10.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3c4a9b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c3c4a9b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2095fbd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2095fbd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">PV String<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aef3169 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aef3169\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"911\" data-end=\"1220\">A PV string is a group of solar panels connected in series where the combined voltage stays within the inverter\u2019s MPPT range.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c29a82 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9c29a82\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-11-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2374\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-11-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-11-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-11-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-11-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-11.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a9ed8b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6a9ed8b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a80f98b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a80f98b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Parallel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0505258 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0505258\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"854\" data-end=\"954\">Connecting panels in parallel increases the current (amps) while keeping the voltage the same.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-277ab51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"277ab51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-15-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2378\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-15-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-15-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-15-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-15-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-15.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-442db80 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"442db80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Section 2<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bfafe4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5bfafe4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Do Solar Panels Work?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a89aa8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5a89aa8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A simple explanation<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64cc30c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"64cc30c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"201\" data-end=\"432\">To understand how solar panels generate electricity, it helps to know that each panel is made up of layers known as <strong data-start=\"317\" data-end=\"327\">N-type<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"332\" data-end=\"342\">P-type<\/strong> material. These layers work together to create an electric flow when exposed to sunlight.<\/p><p data-start=\"434\" data-end=\"523\">Rather than diving into complex physics, here\u2019s a simple explanation of what\u2019s happening.<\/p><p data-start=\"525\" data-end=\"738\">If this still feels a bit overwhelming, don\u2019t worry \u2014 tools like <a href=\"https:\/\/energybee.co.za\/\"><strong data-start=\"590\" data-end=\"603\">EnergyBee<\/strong><\/a> can simplify the process and help you understand how a solar system works based on your specific needs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91df7ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"91df7ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Electricity Is Generated<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f36c04 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9f36c04\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"783\" data-end=\"978\">When sunlight hits a solar panel, tiny particles of light called <strong data-start=\"848\" data-end=\"859\">photons<\/strong> strike the solar cells. These photons knock electrons loose inside the panel, allowing them to move through a circuit.<\/p><p data-start=\"980\" data-end=\"1159\">As electrons move from the <strong data-start=\"1007\" data-end=\"1023\">N-type layer<\/strong> to fill gaps in the <strong data-start=\"1044\" data-end=\"1060\">P-type layer<\/strong>, an electrical current is created. This movement of electrons is what produces usable electricity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9faa49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d9faa49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Are Solar Panels Made Of?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfc319f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dfc319f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"1391\" data-end=\"1489\">Solar panels are made up of several components, but the most important part is the <strong data-start=\"1474\" data-end=\"1488\">solar cell<\/strong>.<\/p><p data-start=\"1491\" data-end=\"1669\">Solar cells are manufactured from <strong data-start=\"1525\" data-end=\"1536\">silicon<\/strong>, one of the most abundant elements on Earth. Through a specialised production process, silicon is formed into one of two cell types:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1671\" data-end=\"1841\"><li data-start=\"1671\" data-end=\"1751\"><p data-start=\"1673\" data-end=\"1751\"><strong data-start=\"1673\" data-end=\"1704\">Monocrystalline solar cells<\/strong> \u2013 made from single, uniform silicon crystals<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1752\" data-end=\"1841\"><p data-start=\"1754\" data-end=\"1841\"><strong data-start=\"1754\" data-end=\"1785\">Polycrystalline solar cells<\/strong> \u2013 made from multiple silicon fragments fused together<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"1843\" data-end=\"1941\">Both types convert sunlight into electricity, but they differ in appearance, efficiency, and cost.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d7e5e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1d7e5e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-22-e1768464949272-1024x384.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2408\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-22-e1768464949272-1024x384.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-22-e1768464949272-300x113.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-22-e1768464949272-768x288.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-22-e1768464949272-1536x576.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Welcome-to-Central-Solar-Supplies-22-e1768464949272.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9aa2ee5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9aa2ee5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Section 3<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99d1fe3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"99d1fe3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4346364 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4346364\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The differences<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2dd0c0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2dd0c0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"1391\" data-end=\"1489\">Solar panels are made up of several components, but the most important part is the <strong data-start=\"1474\" data-end=\"1488\">solar cell<\/strong>.<\/p><p data-start=\"1491\" data-end=\"1669\">Solar cells are manufactured from <strong data-start=\"1525\" data-end=\"1536\">silicon<\/strong>, one of the most abundant elements on Earth. Through a specialized production process, silicon is formed into one of two cell types:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1671\" data-end=\"1841\"><li data-start=\"1671\" data-end=\"1751\"><p data-start=\"1673\" data-end=\"1751\"><strong data-start=\"1673\" data-end=\"1704\">Monocrystalline solar cells<\/strong> \u2013 made from single, uniform silicon crystals<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1752\" data-end=\"1841\"><p data-start=\"1754\" data-end=\"1841\"><strong data-start=\"1754\" data-end=\"1785\">Polycrystalline solar cells<\/strong> \u2013 made from multiple silicon fragments fused together<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"1843\" data-end=\"1941\">Both types convert sunlight into electricity, but they differ in appearance, efficiency, and cost.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b854a7a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b854a7a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5d1b7e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f5d1b7e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a90fce4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a90fce4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Monocrystalline  Solar Panels<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04cbd98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"04cbd98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"644\" data-end=\"869\">Monocrystalline panels are manufactured from a single, continuous silicon crystal. This makes them the oldest and most established solar cell technology. They are easily recognizable by their uniform, dark appearance.<\/p><p data-start=\"871\" data-end=\"1010\">Because of their higher efficiency, fewer panels are needed to produce the same amount of power \u2014 making them ideal where space is limited.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eeb63ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"eeb63ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Monocrystalline-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2410\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Monocrystalline-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Monocrystalline-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Monocrystalline-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Monocrystalline-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Monocrystalline.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05227c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"05227c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Best suited for:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92628cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"92628cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li data-start=\"1035\" data-end=\"1062\">Residential installations<\/li><li data-start=\"1065\" data-end=\"1086\">Commercial projects<\/li><li data-start=\"1089\" data-end=\"1138\">Installations with limited roof or ground space<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18a149a e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"18a149a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61f68f2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"61f68f2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c41c507 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c41c507\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pros<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5abc012 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5abc012\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li data-start=\"1155\" data-end=\"1182\">Highest efficiency levels<\/li><li data-start=\"1185\" data-end=\"1226\">Better performance in high temperatures<\/li><li data-start=\"1229\" data-end=\"1264\">Long lifespan and high durability<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b224bb8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b224bb8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a02c5d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a02c5d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cons<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-880c2d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"880c2d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li data-start=\"1035\" data-end=\"1062\">Higher cost per watt<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a319c6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7a319c6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17c52cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"17c52cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Polycrystalline Solar Panels<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5b500c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b5b500c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"1347\" data-end=\"1571\">Polycrystalline panels are made from multiple silicon fragments fused together, giving them a more textured, non-uniform appearance. This technology was developed to reduce manufacturing waste and lower production costs.<\/p><p data-start=\"1573\" data-end=\"1812\">They generally offer the lowest cost per watt. While slightly less efficient, modern polycrystalline panels continue to improve in performance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0170e40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0170e40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2409\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e5c814 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7e5c814\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Best suited for:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c35f8e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c35f8e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li data-start=\"1985\" data-end=\"2004\">Grid-tied systems<\/li><li data-start=\"1985\" data-end=\"2004\">Cost-sensitive projects<\/li><li data-start=\"2007\" data-end=\"2032\">Installations prioritizing sustainability<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98a104e e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"98a104e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d084007 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d084007\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c780171 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c780171\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pros<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e89080d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e89080d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li data-start=\"2095\" data-end=\"2119\">Most affordable option<\/li><li data-start=\"2122\" data-end=\"2148\">Long-lasting and durable<\/li><li data-start=\"2151\" data-end=\"2188\">Uses less silicon during production<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-751f24c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"751f24c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-542da3c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"542da3c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cons<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9ee990 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b9ee990\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li data-start=\"1035\" data-end=\"1062\">Lower efficiency compared to monocrystalline panels<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6943c29 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6943c29\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b996de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b996de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Section 4<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2bc179d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2bc179d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Solar Panels Sizing<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02d9e11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"02d9e11\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Choosing the Right Solar Panel Size<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d575525 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d575525\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11df284 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"11df284\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"247\" data-end=\"350\">Your individual energy needs and available space will determine which solar panel size is best for you.<\/p><p data-start=\"352\" data-end=\"518\">If you have <strong data-start=\"364\" data-end=\"396\">limited roof or ground space<\/strong>, higher-rated panels (for example, <strong data-start=\"432\" data-end=\"448\">400 W panels<\/strong>) are usually the better option, as they produce more power per panel.<\/p><p data-start=\"520\" data-end=\"634\">If space is not an issue, you can opt for <strong data-start=\"562\" data-end=\"603\">a larger number of lower-rated panels<\/strong> to reach your required output.<\/p><p data-start=\"636\" data-end=\"837\">That said, if you plan to expand your system in the future, higher-rated panels are often the smarter choice. Larger panels are more likely to remain available over time, making future upgrades easier.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c06e301 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c06e301\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Want Help Sizing Your Array?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be0643c elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"be0643c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2364\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Full Guide<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85de35c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"85de35c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53cfabc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"53cfabc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Section 5<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26f747e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"26f747e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Solar Panels: Is Your Roof Suitable?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1db8b8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1db8b8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Choosing the Right Solar Panel Size<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1df733 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f1df733\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"247\" data-end=\"350\">One of the most important considerations when installing solar panels is how well they work with your roof. This depends on several factors, including roof size, shape, angle, orientation, and structural condition.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7880df0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7880df0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddcd61d e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ddcd61d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7b7dd6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a7b7dd6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ee9d5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9ee9d5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Complex Roofs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfbd190 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bfbd190\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"2874\" data-end=\"3099\">Roofs with simple shapes are easier and more cost-effective to work with. Complex roofs can still support solar panels, but they usually require custom mounting solutions, additional labour, and longer installation times.<\/p><p data-start=\"3101\" data-end=\"3303\">To maximise energy production, panels should face the same direction and be installed at the correct angle. Complex roofs may increase installation costs due to specialised mounting hardware and labour.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1de7367 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1de7367\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-2-1536x864.png\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-2411\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-2-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bff4a83 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bff4a83\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39743f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"39743f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Roof Direction<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b38257 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b38257\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"3333\" data-end=\"3411\">For optimal performance, solar panels should face the sun for most of the day.<\/p><p data-start=\"3413\" data-end=\"3580\">If your roof does not face the ideal direction, you can still benefit from solar by installing two separate arrays \u2014 one for morning sun and one for afternoon sun.<\/p><p data-start=\"3582\" data-end=\"3667\">A qualified installer will be able to recommend the best configuration for your home.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fdef07f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fdef07f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-1-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2412\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Polycrystalline-1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9dbcb8b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9dbcb8b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-518aec6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"518aec6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Roof Material<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0586439 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0586439\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"3696\" data-end=\"3837\">In South Africa, most homes have tiled pitched roofs, which are ideal for solar installations. Corrugated metal roofs also work well.<\/p><p data-start=\"3839\" data-end=\"3902\">Thatched roofs, however, are not suitable due to fire risk.<\/p><p data-start=\"3904\" data-end=\"4028\">Flat roofs can support solar panels too, but they require specialised mounting structures to angle the panels correctly.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e11221 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5e11221\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/15-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2415\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/15-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/15-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/15-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/15-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/15.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d0b286 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6d0b286\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41bf0ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"41bf0ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Shading on the Roof<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d69d8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7d69d8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"4063\" data-end=\"4234\">Solar panels rely on direct sunlight, so shading should be kept to a minimum. Obstructions such as trees, chimneys, and nearby buildings can reduce system performance.<\/p><p data-start=\"4236\" data-end=\"4391\">Minor shading can often be managed by trimming trees or using optimisers. A solar installer will assess shading and recommend solutions where possible.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43a40af elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"43a40af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2414\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38796c0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"38796c0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a07f91b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a07f91b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Roof Age and Structural Support<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7994c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a7994c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"4438\" data-end=\"4607\">Roofs have a lifespan and a maximum load they can safely support. Before installing solar panels, it\u2019s important to assess the roof\u2019s condition and structural integrity.<\/p><p data-start=\"4609\" data-end=\"4718\">An experienced installer or structural professional can help determine whether any reinforcements are needed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-321d446 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"321d446\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/13-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2413\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/13-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/13-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/13-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/13-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/13.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d9c02a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4d9c02a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0741ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f0741ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Section 6<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fcff4e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fcff4e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Solar Panels: How they work<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7feb12e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7feb12e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>How Solar Panels Work Within a Complete System<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c278b1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c278b1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"302\" data-end=\"505\">Solar panels don\u2019t operate on their own. They\u2019re just one piece of a larger solar power system, and without the right supporting components, they can\u2019t supply usable electricity to your home or business.<\/p><p data-start=\"507\" data-end=\"628\">To turn sunlight into power you can actually use, your solar panels must work together with the following key components:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b201264 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b201264\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5b7e71 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c5b7e71\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03f3769 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"03f3769\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Solar Batteries<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-615e547 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"615e547\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/LV-Batteries-e1768482600701-300x228.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-20\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/LV-Batteries-e1768482600701-300x228.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/LV-Batteries-e1768482600701.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85bf0ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"85bf0ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"1407\" data-end=\"1521\">Batteries are not strictly required for a solar system to function, but they dramatically increase its usefulness.<\/p><p data-start=\"1523\" data-end=\"1713\">Without batteries, your system will only use solar power while the sun is shining. Any excess energy produced during the day is either lost or sent back to the grid, depending on your setup.<\/p><p data-start=\"1715\" data-end=\"1919\">In South Africa, ongoing load shedding has made batteries a popular \u2014 and often essential \u2014 addition. Batteries store excess solar energy so you can use it later, such as at night or during power outages.<\/p><p data-start=\"1921\" data-end=\"2105\">If you\u2019re away during the day and consume most of your electricity in the evenings, batteries are a smart investment. They allow you to rely on your solar system when you need it most.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18e36c7 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"18e36c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/solars.co.za\/batteries-2\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Shop for batteries<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0180fce e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0180fce\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5462a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d5462a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Solar Inverter<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3823095 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3823095\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"244\" src=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Inverters-e1768482661229-300x244.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-18\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Inverters-e1768482661229-300x244.png 300w, https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Inverters-e1768482661229.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-629bb72 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"629bb72\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"679\" data-end=\"938\">The inverter is one of the most critical parts of any solar installation. Its main job is to convert the electricity produced by your solar panels from DC (direct current) into AC (alternating current) \u2014 the type of power used by household appliances.<\/p><p data-start=\"940\" data-end=\"1086\">Your solar panels generate DC power, and your batteries store DC power. Without an inverter, none of that energy would be usable inside your home.<\/p><p data-start=\"1088\" data-end=\"1341\">Many modern, plug-and-play inverters include a built-in MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker). This allows the inverter to optimise the power coming from your solar panels automatically, making installation faster and system performance more efficient.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4aba837 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"4aba837\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/solars.co.za\/inverters\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Shop for Inverters<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Section 1 Solar panels The fundamentals Before diving in, we\u2019ll quickly go over some basic concepts.Readers familiar with solar system terminology can skip this part. The Fundamentals MPPT A MPPT monitors the voltage coming from your solar panel array and ensures the system produces maximum possible energy at all times. Photovoltaic Photovoltaic simply means turning [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2398","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Solar Panels Guide - Central solar wiki<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Solar Panels Guide - Central solar wiki\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Section 1 Solar panels The fundamentals Before diving in, we\u2019ll quickly go over some basic concepts.Readers familiar with solar system terminology can skip this part. The Fundamentals MPPT A MPPT monitors the voltage coming from your solar panel array and ensures the system produces maximum possible energy at all times. Photovoltaic Photovoltaic simply means turning [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Central solar wiki\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-16T07:23:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5-1024x576.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/?page_id=2398\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/?page_id=2398\",\"name\":\"Solar Panels Guide - Central solar wiki\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/?page_id=2398#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/?page_id=2398#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5-1024x576.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-15T06:18:58+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-16T07:23:43+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/?page_id=2398#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/?page_id=2398\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/?page_id=2398#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5.png\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/?page_id=2398#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Solar Panels Guide\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/\",\"name\":\"Central solar wiki\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Central solar wiki\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/11\\\/CSS-Logo-3.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/11\\\/CSS-Logo-3.png\",\"width\":188,\"height\":188,\"caption\":\"Central solar wiki\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wiki.solars.co.za\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Solar Panels Guide - Central solar wiki","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Solar Panels Guide - Central solar wiki","og_description":"Section 1 Solar panels The fundamentals Before diving in, we\u2019ll quickly go over some basic concepts.Readers familiar with solar system terminology can skip this part. The Fundamentals MPPT A MPPT monitors the voltage coming from your solar panel array and ensures the system produces maximum possible energy at all times. Photovoltaic Photovoltaic simply means turning [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398","og_site_name":"Central solar wiki","article_modified_time":"2026-01-16T07:23:43+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5-1024x576.png","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398","url":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398","name":"Solar Panels Guide - Central solar wiki","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5-1024x576.png","datePublished":"2026-01-15T06:18:58+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-16T07:23:43+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Brand-Guidelines-Presentation-5.png","width":1920,"height":1080},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?page_id=2398#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Solar Panels Guide"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/#website","url":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/","name":"Central solar wiki","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/#organization","name":"Central solar wiki","url":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/CSS-Logo-3.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/CSS-Logo-3.png","width":188,"height":188,"caption":"Central solar wiki"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2398","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2398"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2398\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wiki.solars.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2398"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}