Page 27 - Vol 32 Issue 33 2121

solar energy

The politicians in South Africa however are with a conscience are looking towards It is a start but a long way from encouraging
constantly hedging their bets, supporting greener energies. the private sector to fund Southern
some utility scale renewables through the In Sub Saharan Africa solar water heaters Africa’s power generation with roof top
REIPPP programs, but at the same time in the domestic sector are a complete no solar PV, or allowing the private sector to
still keeping coal in the equation in order brainer in respects of the financial return build micro grids for rural communities, or
to appease the unions. on investment, with paybacks as little as even cluster developments in the cities.
Addressing the Energy Crisis 20 months and typically under 36 months. As one moves progressively north from
As there are some7 million electric boilers South Africa, the attraction of solar water
Today in 2019 South Africa faces an (known as geysers) in SA alone, these all heaters diminish, as the problem is not
energy crisis. Load shedding or the fear of can be retrofitted with a solar conversion hot water, but keeping cool. Solar PV is a
it is a constant impediment to economic kit, thereby replacing up to 100% of the solution for air conditioning lighting and
progress in all sectors of business, mining electricity normally used. Electrical back other equipment, but just as generating
and agriculture. up convenience to guarantee hot water heat is energy intensive so is keeping cool.
Ironically, ‘as Rome burns’ the answer on rainy or inclement weather days means
and the solution is immediately available that there is no sacrifice of comfort. Over So where does that leave us looking to
through renewables and the private 40% of all electricity consumed in the the future?
sector in both business and domestic. domestic sector is attributable to water Large scale renewables will fight their
Within 5 years by 2025 South Africa could, heating. corner in competition to coal, maybe
if the political will was there, enjoy a nuclear, and maybe gas.
reliable energy supply from renewables, Remember that the politicians are ignoring
with some supplementary peaking power Solar electric or solar PV in the climate crisis, and their love of coal is
from gas and even some coal. the domestic sector is really not driven by basic economics but fear
As in most of Europe, solar PV could be a lifestyle investment. The of losing control. Socialist tendencies
installed by the private sector on rooftops, financial returns are not of trying to appease trade unions, an
with excess power fed back into the grid, great because of the need illogical fear of further job losses rather
which would be purchased by Eskom, and for battery storage. However, than reallocation, and a general refusal of
resold at a profit, after wheeling charges the convenience of avoiding accountability are symptomatic.
for distribution. Financed by the banks, the issues of load shedding, The private sector, whether they feed
jobs would be created, new clean power knowing that you will always into the grid or not, will progressively
generation would replace the old power have power for essential embrace solar electric generation. Why?
stations. areas such as lighting, simply because it is a cheaper solution.
It really is quite simple, and the arguments television and computers is Then, of course local government or
that the grid is not structured to cater difficult to quantify from a national will really try to kill it off, as their
for thousands of mini independent value perspective except on reselling revenues of electricity will be
power producers rather than the 28 an individual level. falling, so new taxes will be introduced.
power stations of Eskom is a deliberate Oh, how communism and socialism works
obstruction. Solar PV in business, warehouses, to the detriment of a meritocracy and
democracy.
Will it happen this way and the answer is factories and offices is, in much the
sadly a NO. same way as solar water heaters in
homes or business a no brainer. Partially
The ANC are stuck in the culture of as a result of accelerated depreciation, Saving energy will continue to
socialist control, adverse to privatisation VAT being recovered, the payback on thrive, where solar thermal
and particularly in the electricity sector. grid tied systems (no battery storage) will replace electricity and
The unions of course are deliberately will typically range from 3,5 years to 6 water consumption used by
blind, to any form of privatisation, and in years. Every installation will have unique Eskom.
much the same ways as the coal workers in characteristics but as the banks are keen
the UK and their unions in the 1970’s held to lend, generally it is possible with as
a democratic government hostage, the little as a 10% deposit to borrow to fund
story will play out in sub Saharan Africa the purchase and be cash flow positive
in a similar manner. Economic growth will every month from day 1.
be stifled by socialism, trade union control
and lack of backbone by government to There are also progressive moves for
put the country before political agenda. feed in arrangements where for example
What Renewable Options are Available kWh generated over the weekends can
be banked against kWh used on standard
to the Consumer tariffs at other times during working
Despite the lovers of coal in South Africa, weeks. James Green
and Trump in the USA, the larger majority

AFRICAN POWER Mining & Oil Review Vol 28, Issue 29, 2019 | 27