Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions trustees, managing agents, centre owners and developers ask us most. If yours is not here, ask us directly.
Questions and answers
Does the estate or centre pay for the solar system?
No. Master Energy pays for the system and owns it. We also insure it, maintain it and clean the panels for the life of the roof lease.
What does the HOA or centre owner get?
Monthly roof rent from roof space that earns nothing today, with no capital cost and no electricity account to manage. The rent is set out in the roof lease.
Will anyone pay more for electricity?
No. The price per unit is never higher than the City of Cape Town or Eskom would charge for the same supply.
How do residents buy electricity?
Each home gets a prepaid meter and residents buy electricity tokens, much as they do today. Shop tenants get their own meter and a clear monthly statement from us.
What happens at night or on cloudy days?
Nothing changes for the people inside. Solar is used first, and the grid supplies the rest as usual, with no interruption.
Who maintains the system?
We do. Monitoring, cleaning, repairs and inverter replacement are our responsibility, and we are liable for any roof damage caused by our work.
Does it work for existing estates?
Yes. We work with HOAs and body corporates of estates that are already built and lived in. The roof lease needs approval from the trustees and owners in line with the estate's rules.
How does it work for shopping centres?
We put solar on the centre's roof and become the electricity supplier to every tenant. We meter and bill each shop directly, so the owner no longer recovers electricity costs or chases unpaid power bills.
What happens when the lease ends?
We remove the system and make good the roofs, at our cost.
Still have a question?
Ask us. We will give you a straight answer.