Our Solar PV, Battery Energy Storage (BESS), and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) FAQ provides clear, expert answers to the most common questions asked by commercial and industrial clients across Africa. Each section below is structured for optimal SEO, AI agent readability, and user experience.
Solar PV Maintenance FAQ
Neglecting regular cleaning leads to dust, bird droppings, moss, and other debris accumulating on panels. This reduces efficiency, encourages damaging plant growth, and significantly limits energy output. Rain alone isn’t sufficient; professional cleaning is essential to prevent long-term degradation.
Hotspots develop due to dirt buildup, shading, or foreign objects. Mechanical damage (e.g., cracked glass, bent frames) and internal faults like cell defects or microcracks can cause uneven heating, reducing module performance and lifespan.
Stepping or falling on a panel can cause micro-cracks within the solar cells, resulting in permanent damage and reduced power output.
Modules should be inspected and cleaned professionally once or twice a year, depending on environmental factors. Areas with high dust or bird activity may require more frequent cleaning.
Minor issues like loose connections can be repaired. However, cracked or severely damaged modules usually need replacement. Regular monitoring helps detect problems early and avoid system-wide performance losses.
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) FAQ
A Battery Energy Storage System stores excess solar energy and releases it during peak demand or power outages. It ensures uptime, cuts costs via peak shaving, and reduces grid dependency — essential for industries, agri-ops, tourism, and IPPs.
Yes. BESS supports your inverter when the grid fails, keeping your system active and operations running — critical for sectors like cold storage, resorts, and manufacturing.
Most modern lithium-ion BESS units are designed for 10–15 years or around 6,000–10,000 charge cycles. Lifespan depends on depth of discharge (DoD), operating temperature, battery chemistry, and maintenance.
Lithium-ion batteries dominate due to high energy density, fast response time, and efficiency. Alternatives like lead-acid, redox flow, or sodium-sulfur batteries vary in cost, cycle life, and scalability. Flow batteries are emerging for long-duration needs.
Sizing depends on energy consumption patterns, desired backup duration, peak demand, and solar generation profile. A site assessment and load profile analysis are essential to right-size your storage system.
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) FAQ
A Power Purchase Agreement is a contract where SPS fully funds, designs, and installs a solar PV and/or battery energy system at your site. Instead of paying upfront, your business pays only for the electricity it consumes — usually at a lower cost than grid tariffs.
Under a PPA, you pay per kWh consumed. Under an equipment lease, you pay a fixed monthly rental for the installed assets. A PPA aligns with energy performance, while a lease offers cost certainty.
- Zero capital investment – SPS covers all upfront costs.
- Energy cost savings – You pay only for the electricity used, often at lower rates than the grid.
- Performance assurance – SPS handles maintenance and performance monitoring throughout the contract term.
At the end of the PPA (typically 10–20 years), you may:
- Extend the agreement
- Purchase the system at fair market value
This flexibility ensures long-term control over your energy future.
SPS structures PPAs for commercial and industrial clients across sectors like mining, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. A site assessment determines technical and financial feasibility.