BrightBlack Energy has completed its first Tesla Powerwall and solar panel kit installation in a South African home, the company announced.

The system was installed in the home of Donovan and Tracy Bolton, who supplied photographs of the equipment and process.

BrightBlack first conducted an on-site assessment of the Bolton family’s energy needs, and installed a Siemens Electricity Meter – which reports consumption data.

Using the collected data, the solar system it installed comprised of a Tesla Powerwall battery, StorEdge Inverter, and an array of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels from The Solar Frontier.

BrightBlack also specified power optimisers that connect to each PV module, which it said increases energy output and lets you monitor the performance of each module.

System cost

Tracy Bolton said they financed their solar energy system through their FNB home loan account.

“My understanding is that the solar solution would increase the attractiveness of our property when we one day decide to sell and would more than likely cover the cost we spent on it.”

She said the cost was significant, but they expect their system will have paid for itself in about 8 years.

“Besides, the true value comes in other areas such as aligning to my personal goal to reduce our family’s impact on the environment.”

Another factor was that her husband runs a business from home, which she said cannot be done without power.

Video interview with Tracy Bolton

Tesla Energy and SolarEdge shipment in South Africa

BrightBlack CEO Wessel Wessels with a freshly delivered Tesla Powerwall

Wessel Wessels, Tracy Bolton and Rubicon sales director Gregg Blandford with the new Tesla Powerwall

Tesla Powerwall arrives at customer’s home

The Solar Frontier PV panels being installed

Solar panels on the Bolton’s home

The Solar Frontier PV panels installed on the Bolton’s home

Tesla Powerwall and SolarEdge StorEdge inverter installed

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