Solar vs Diesel: Why Your Generator Is Costing You More Than You Think
For years the generator was the answer: when the power went, the diesel came on. But a generator only ever adds cost. It saves you nothing on your electricity bill, burns fuel every hour it runs, and needs servicing, repairs and someone to keep the tank full and guard it.
Solar works the other way round. Once it is installed, the sun is free. Every unit your panels produce is a unit you don't buy from Eskom or your municipality, and, with batteries, an hour your generator doesn't need to run.
How They Compare
| Diesel generator | Solar (with batteries) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Bought every month, at a price you don't control | Free once installed |
| Effect on your electricity bill | None | Cuts it every sunny day |
| Maintenance | Regular services, filters, oil and repairs | Monitoring, occasional cleaning and inspections |
| Noise and fumes | Yes | None |
| Theft risk | Fuel and units are targets | Lower, with proper mounting |
| Payback | Never: it is a running cost | Pays for itself through lower bills |
But Can Solar Really Run My Machines?
Yes, when it is designed for them. Commercial systems are sized from your actual load, including motors, compressors and three-phase equipment. The installer looks at your electricity bills and your meter data where available, and designs a system that carries the load you really run during the working day.
Keep the Generator as a Backup
You don't have to scrap your generator. Many businesses keep it as a last-resort backup and let solar and batteries do the daily work. The generator then runs a fraction of the hours, so it uses far less diesel and lasts longer.
Find Out What You'd Save
Tell us your monthly electricity spend, your monthly diesel spend and your operating hours. We'll match you with a CleanVolts Approved commercial installer who can show you the numbers for your site. Buy outright, finance it, or pay only for the power you use.