Guides

Practical advice on solar, gates, CCTV and water for Zimbabwean homes and businesses.

What size solar system do I need?

Start by listing what must keep running when the power goes off. Lights, TV, decoder, WiFi and phone charging suit a small 1kVA system. Add an energy-saver fridge and a booster pump and you will usually be looking at 3kVA. Two fridges plus a borehole pump typically need 5kVA. Heavy loads such as geysers, air conditioners, stoves and welders need a larger, custom design. Battery size decides how long the system runs, so tell us how many hours of backup you want. Try our solar calculator for a starting point.

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An automatic gate lets you drive in and out without leaving your vehicle, which is safer and more convenient, especially at night. It can close behind you automatically and be linked to remotes, keypads, intercoms or your phone. Think about the type of gate (sliding or swing), the space available, how often it is used and how it will work during power cuts. Battery backup keeps the gate working through load-shedding. A site assessment makes sure the motor matches the gate.

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Begin with what you need to see: entrances, the till or cash area, stock rooms and the perimeter. That sets how many cameras you need and where they go. Check night-vision quality, how many days of recording the recorder can store, and whether you want remote viewing on your phone, which needs a stable internet connection. Make sure the system has power backup so it keeps recording during outages, and use proper cabling and weather protection. A professional installer will plan coverage so there are no blind spots.

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A solar pump runs on power from solar panels, so you pump water during the day when the sun is strongest and store it in a tank for use later. Sizing depends on the depth of the borehole, the flow rate you need and how much water you use daily. Because the energy comes from the sun, running costs are low, and storing water in a tank is usually cheaper than storing power in batteries. Add a booster pump if you need steady pressure at the taps.

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