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Rising Eskom tariffs? Hybrid solar systems on promo
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BLACK NOVEMBER 2026   /   BUYING GUIDE

What Should You Look for in a Solar Special?

Big savings are worth a look. The right system is worth understanding.

Before choosing a solar or battery special, compare what the inverter can run, how much energy the battery stores, what solar equipment is included, and who handles installation and support.

Start with one question: What do I need this system to do for me?

Start the 7-step guide ↓
Explore the nine offers

Seven practical checks   ·   No technical background needed

SSS installation showing Victron inverter and electrical equipment

SSS Riverside Lodge project photograph. Equipment pictured is not one of the promotional kits.

01 / 07   ·   YOUR GOAL

Choose the outcome before the kit

Are you trying to use less electricity from the grid, keep essential equipment running during interruptions, or both? You might want backup now with solar later, or need a three-phase system. Start with the purpose, not the largest number.

Hybrid solar · Fully installed

Kits 1-4

Solar panels, inverter and battery storage in a fully installed hybrid package. Installation is subject to a site visit and the stated scope.

Solar-ready backup · Supply only

Kits 5-7

Battery backup packages supplied without solar panels or MPPT controllers. Adding solar later requires separately selected equipment and design.

Three-phase · Supply only

Kits 8-9

Three-phase power and battery packages. Solar is not included in the base kits; optional PV upgrades are quoted separately.

Next: Understand the numbers →

02 / 07   ·   THE NUMBERS

Three numbers. Three different jobs.

kVA is about what can run together. kWh is about stored energy and possible runtime. kWp describes the rated size of the solar array. None of these numbers tells the whole story on its own.

kVA

What can the inverter support at once? kVA describes inverter apparent power capacity. Actual continuous output also depends on the model, power factor and equipment limits.

What does this mean? →

kWh

How much energy is stored? kWh measures battery energy. How long it lasts depends on the usable battery capacity, what is running and the system settings.

What does this mean? →

kWp

How big is the solar array, if included? kWp is the panels’ rated output under standard test conditions. Actual generation changes with the sun, weather, shade and installation.

What does this mean? →

Remember: A larger inverter does not automatically give you longer backup. A larger battery does not automatically mean lower electricity costs. Check how the whole system is designed for your loads.

Next: Check inclusions →

Power explained

Inverter Capacity (kVA)

Illustrative explanation

What is kVA?

kVA indicates the size of an inverter and how much electrical load it can handle.

Continuous Power

The amount of power an inverter can continuously deliver, measured in watts (W). This is typically around 80% of its kVA rating. For example, a 5 kVA inverter may deliver approximately 4000 W (4 kW) continuously, depending on the model.

Peak Power

The extra power an inverter can deliver briefly, particularly when starting appliances such as pumps, motors and compressors. Depending on the model, this can be up to approximately 2.5 times its continuous power rating.

Grid-Connected Operation

When grid electricity is available, a hybrid system can support loads higher than the inverter’s continuous power rating by drawing additional power from the grid.

During a Grid Outage

When grid electricity is unavailable, the electrical load an inverter can support is limited by its kVA rating and corresponding continuous output in watts (W), provided sufficient energy is available.

Examples are model-dependent, not universal formulas. Grid support also depends on the installation, protection and equipment limits.

Stored energy explained

Battery Storage (kWh)

80% above reserve 20% reserve
Illustrative explanation

What is kWh?

kWh (kilowatt-hour) measures how much electrical energy a battery can store.

1 kWh = 1 unit of electricity.

For example, a 5.4 kWh battery can store 5.4 units of electricity when fully charged.

Battery Reserve (20% SoC)

Many hybrid systems retain around 20% battery charge in reserve, leaving approximately 80% for normal use.

For example, a 5.4 kWh battery provides about 4.3 kWh above this reserve, before system losses. Actual settings may vary.

Solar generation explained

Solar Array (kWp)

Illustrative explanation

What is kWp?

kWp (kilowatt-peak) is the rated peak power your solar panels can produce under ideal test conditions.

For example, a 3.66 kWp solar array operating at full rated power for one hour would generate 3.66 units (kWh) of electricity.

Actual generation depends on sunlight, panel angle, weather and temperature.

Daily Solar Generation

Solar panels do not generate their maximum rated power throughout the day. Output increases and decreases with available sunlight.

A larger solar array can generally produce more electricity, but the total units (kWh) generated each day depend on sunlight, weather, season and installation conditions.

Expected Daily Solar Generation

Expected solar generation is calculated using your solar array size and the average solar radiation available in your area.

Panel orientation, seasonal changes and system losses also affect actual production.

03 / 07   ·   INCLUSIONS

Check what the price actually includes

Two offers can look similar until you compare the parts and services. The important question is not just “How much?”, but “What is included at that price?”

Solar PV is included

Installed Kits 1-4

The stated solar array, battery storage and installation are included within the advertised kit scope. Check the exact equipment and site-evaluation conditions.

Solar and MPPT excluded

Backup Kits 5-7

These are supply-only backup kits. Solar panels and MPPT charge controllers are not included; adding PV is a separate decision.

Solar is optional

Three-phase Kits 8-9

The base packages are supply only. Optional solar upgrades are priced separately, and PV mounting frames are excluded from those upgrades.

Next: Installation and scope →

04 / 07   ·   INSTALLATION

What does “fully installed” include?

For Kits 1-4, the advertised installed scope includes installation consumables, applicable AC work, an electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC), and SSEG registration within the stated scope, subject to site requirements and approval.

Why the site visit? Every property is different. Roof access, cable routes, equipment location, distribution boards and existing wiring can all affect the installation. Any additional site-specific work needs approval before it goes ahead.

Kits 5-9 are supply only. Collection is in George or courier is quoted separately. Installation, on-site AC work and CoC are not included.

Installation terms

THE APPROVED CONDITION

Fully installed by SSS-approved installers or Associated Partners, subject to a site visit. Prices apply within the Garden Route; additional transport or site-specific costs may apply, subject to approval.

Solar panels on a Riverside Lodge building in an actual SSS installation

Actual SSS project photograph. Site conditions vary; the image does not represent a Black November kit.

Next: Battery and compatibility →

05 / 07   ·   BATTERY & EXPANSION

Look beyond the battery capacity

A battery is not just its kWh figure. What matters is how the battery, inverter, controls and monitoring work together. The Black November kits use Victron power equipment with storageDOCK LiFePO₄ batteries, but the configuration and included equipment differ by kit.

Thinking about expanding later? Check compatibility before adding battery capacity or solar equipment. Battery condition and age, firmware, current system settings and the inverter design can all affect the options.

Next: Monitoring and support →
Black November solar specials featuring Victron equipment, storageDOCK lithium battery and solar panels.

storageDOCK ES7.2K battery with hybrid kit illustration example. The kit configuration and battery quantity vary by product.

Questions worth asking

Is the battery compatible with the inverter? What controls and monitoring are included? Who can help when the system needs attention or changes?

06 / 07   ·   MONITORING & SUPPORT

Ask about support before you need it

A solar system is a long-term investment, and support should not end with installation. Ask who configures your monitoring, explains your system’s performance and helps when something needs attention.

With a Cerbo GX and Victron Remote Management (VRM) correctly configured, you can monitor solar production, grid consumption, battery performance and system alarms remotely.

Before choosing an installer, understand what ongoing support is included, how technical issues are handled and who to contact when you need assistance.

SSS was voted Best Solar Company in George in 2024, 2025 and 2026. That recognition reflects trust placed in the team, and a responsibility to keep earning it through sound technical work and ongoing support.

Read the Best of George story
Next: How to enquire →
Remote system management with Cerbo GX 2 hybrid solar animation

Solar, loads, battery and grid. One clear view of your system

Specialized Solar Systems Best Solar Company in George 2024, 2025 and 2026

Best Solar Company in George · 2024 · 2025 · 2026

07 / 07   ·   ENQUIRY PROCESS

From interest to a confirmed quotation

The nine promotional kits use an enquiry-and-invoicing process, not online checkout. You can ask a question or tell SSS you would like to proceed, but the request itself is not an order.

STEP 1

Explore

Browse the nine Black November offers on the SSS homepage.

STEP 2

Check

Open a kit. Compare its equipment, scope, specifications and price.

STEP 3

Request

Choose Enquire / Request This Kit and submit your details.

STEP 4

Confirm

Sales confirms availability and the site visit, collection or courier requirements.

STEP 5

Quote

Sales provides a quotation or pro forma invoice and payment instructions.

An enquiry is not a confirmed order, payment or stock reservation.