AWPower

03/06/2026

Bigger business solar is no longer out of reach...

As Eskom leans more heavily on diesel, the long-term cost of electricity is becoming increasingly difficult for businesses to absorb.

That is what is changing the conversation about commercial solar.

Systems in the 60kW to 1.2 MW range are now far more practical for mid- to large-scale businesses and the payback is becoming far more attractive.

That is exactly where the Fox ESS BEAST fits.

Chat to us: [email protected]

Christiaan from AWPower visits the Fox ESS R&D Lab in Shanghai, whe...

02/06/2026

Has your business evolved in the past five years?

Maybe you added machinery, expanded working hours, or even bought an EV fleet.

Is your solar system still sized correctly for your current load profile? If not, you could be losing out on performance or overpaying for peak-time usage.

We can help: awpower.co.za

28/05/2026

The good news is: well-maintained systems actually over-deliver. Especially when paired with smart upgrades like:

- Load shifting (timing heavy-use devices for solar hours)
- Exporting excess to the grid (where allowed)
- Adding EV charging to self-consume more solar
- Expanding your array as prices drop

As an example, one of our customers in the Western Cape upgraded their inverter in year six of their installation, added two EV chargers, and optimised their settings. Their monthly savings jumped by 27% compared to the previous year.

Chat to us: [email protected]

26/05/2026

We’ve seen hundreds of systems installed by third parties that simply don’t live up to their promise. Some are unsafe. Many are inefficient. Nearly all show signs of neglect.

That’s why we developed the AWPower 60-Point Solar System Audit, designed using insurance industry guidelines (we’re a SANTAM-approved partner). It is more than checking if the panels still work… the following is also important:

1. Verifying electrical safety and compliance
2. Checking for inverter or battery warning signs
3. Assessing wiring, fuses, and connectors for wear
4. Solar panels – risk of theft, risk of fire, efficiency & safety
5. Confirming documentation: COC, SSEG, warranties
6. Analysing system settings for export-readiness and efficiency
7. Scoring the system’s performance across 9 categories

Many businesses don’t realise: if your system hasn’t been maintained or audited, your insurance claim could be denied in case of a fire or failure.

Book your AWPower Solar Audit today and future-proof your investment.
Mail us: [email protected]

21/05/2026

Solar panels are often advertised to last 20 to 25 years, and they do. But expecting year-one performance at year ten without intervention is like buying a vehicle and never servicing it.

Here’s what business owners need to consider:

Read more about What Happens After Year Five? on the AWPower Website - Solar and Water Solutions Provider in Cape Town.

18/05/2026

As an engineering-led business, AWPower has engaged with key industry players to better understand how fire risks are evolving. Through collaboration with Santam and Fidelity SecureFire, as well as insights from ongoing system audits, it has become increasingly evident that solar- and lithium-related fire incidents are on the rise.

Ageing systems are of particular concern.

The PV combiner box is one component receiving increased attention. This device combines direct current (DC) electricity from multiple solar panel strings into the inverter(s). Although it plays a critical role in the PV system, it is often overlooked once installed.

Over time, combiner boxes can become overloaded and internal connections may deteriorate, creating a potential fire risk. In older designs, fuses may burn out under overload conditions, and with multiple fuses present, failures may go unnoticed unless system performance is regularly monitored. Such issues are typically identified via remote monitoring and then confirmed through physical inspection.

A typical burnt fuse-holder is shown in the image.

Read more here:

Read more about Mitigating the Risk of Fire in a Solar PV System on the AWPower Website - Solar and Water Solutions Provider in Cape Town.

16/05/2026

If it’s been more than 18 months since your last solar system check, or if you’ve never had one, schedule an audit. Whether we installed your system or not, our team is trained to provide:

1. A full performance and safety review
2. Guidance on exporting and load-shifting strategies
3. Firmware updates and system recalibrations
4. Advice on battery and inverter upgrades

We also offer a SolarSupport service which includes an on-site system audit at the start of your subscription for systems not being installed by AWPower.

For many clients, this audit alone uncovered savings opportunities or compliance gaps they didn’t know existed.

Book your AWPower Solar Audit today and future-proof your investment.
Mail us: [email protected]

14/05/2026

The rapid uptake of solar PV and battery backup systems during South Africa’s loadshedding years solved an immediate problem, but it also introduced a quieter, less visible one.

A large number of systems were installed under pressure, often without the level of engineering oversight, compliance, and quality control required for long-term safety.

Today, many of those installations are still in operation, and while they appear to be working, they may be carrying hidden risks.

One of the most concerning of these risks is the potential for fire.

Read more about Mitigating the Risk of Fire in a Solar PV System on the AWPower Website - Solar and Water Solutions Provider in Cape Town.

11/05/2026

We’ve built a dedicated Solar Maintenance and Support service to make sure your system stays:

1. Efficient
2. Safe and compliant
3. Optimised for current tariffs and usage and seasons
4. Delivering the savings you expected

Our service includes a detailed system audit (for non-AWPower installations), ongoing monitoring, and performance optimisation, backed by engineering expertise and insurance-aligned standards.

Learn more here:

Your solar PV system works every day to save you money, but like any long-term investment, it needs proper care to stay safe...

07/05/2026

What we’ve learned from 500+ system installations:
Some of the biggest savings we’ve unlocked for clients came from small adjustments:

A 20-minute settings change
Correcting a single faulty connection
Rebalancing battery usage
Aligning the system to current load profiles
In one case, a simple optimisation increased savings by 27%.

Why this matters even more now:
With the latest NERSA tariff increases in effect, every unit of electricity costs more, which means every unit your system doesn’t produce or use efficiently… costs you more, too.

Solar was meant to protect you from rising costs, but it only does that if it’s performing properly.

Let's help you: awpower.co.za