Plentify, an innovative home energy management company, has announced a strategic partnership with Herholdts, one of South Africa’s largest distributors of solar and electrical solutions, to launch SolarBot, an intelligent controller for home solar and battery systems.
This collaboration will see Herholdts introduce Plentify’s latest innovation, SolarBot, to homes across the country.
“Herholdts is a pioneer in the solar and electrical distribution sector in South Africa, and we are thrilled to partner with an industry icon,” says Kailas Nair, Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at Plentify.
The timing of this launch couldn’t be better. SolarBot is designed to significantly improve the performance of existing solar systems, providing a much-needed boost to both new and existing customers in a market that has recently experienced a slowdown.
Solar sales, which surged during South Africa’s frequent load shedding periods, have dipped as the country enjoys a reprieve from power cuts. This decline in sales is evident in the drop in Google searches for solar-related terms, which have flatlined at around 30% of their peak since load shedding eased.
However, the ebb and flow of solar demand in South Africa is not unique. Globally, solar markets have followed a similar trend, dictated by the economic appeal of solar energy compared to grid electricity tariffs.
As Jon Kornik, CEO of Plentify, points out, “The rapidly declining costs of solar panels and batteries have gotten us a lot of the way there. But that is not enough – as many solar owners are finding out after scrutinizing their systems’ performance post-load shedding. It really matters how effectively you use your solar system.”
This is where SolarBot steps in. The intelligent controller optimizes solar energy usage by analyzing weather patterns, load shedding schedules, and household demand to determine the best times to charge and discharge the battery. This smart management not only maximizes savings for homeowners but also ensures backup power is available when needed. Essentially, it transforms a conventional solar system into a more efficient and reliable energy solution.
SolarBot is not just a standalone product. It works seamlessly with Plentify’s other innovation, HotBot, an intelligent geyser controller. HotBot is designed to train the geyser to use less energy and prioritize solar power over grid electricity. The two devices communicate wirelessly, allowing SolarBot to direct excess solar energy to heat water, rather than letting that energy go to waste. This integration helps homeowners maximize their solar system’s output and boosts their return on investment.
Additionally, Plentify offers a user-friendly app that allows homeowners to monitor and control their energy systems in real-time. The app provides valuable insights into energy consumption, empowering users to make informed decisions about their energy use.
For solar installers, the soon-to-launch Plentify Platform will be a game-changer. It will provide a comprehensive fleet monitoring and control system through a single dashboard. This tool will give installers the data and insights they need to offer enhanced value to their customers, improving service delivery and system performance.
Herholdts, which will distribute these products through its extensive network of over 200 trusted installers, sees the partnership with Plentify as a significant step towards transforming the local solar market.
Lukas Stoltz, Technical Manager at Herholdts, emphasised, “At Herholdts, we believe the future of solar lies in intelligent energy management. Our partnership with Plentify represents our commitment to delivering advanced technology that allows installers to provide customers with smarter, more efficient systems.”
So what does this mean for South Africa’s solar landscape?
With rising electricity costs and growing environmental concerns, the need for sustainable energy solutions has never been more urgent. Plentify and Herholdts’ partnership could accelerate the adoption of solar energy by making it more efficient and cost-effective for homeowners. As the country continues to grapple with energy challenges, innovations like SolarBot and HotBot offer a compelling case for investing in smarter, more resilient energy systems.
This partnership marks a pivotal moment in the advancement of solar energy in South Africa. By combining Herholdts’ distribution expertise with Plentify’s cutting-edge technology, the two companies are set to bring a new level of innovation and efficiency to the market, potentially reshaping how South Africans harness solar energy in their homes.
