    |
South Africa Solar Energy
With an average of more than 2,500 hours of sunshine every year, South Africa has the perfect climate for solar energy. South Africa's solar radiation output is over twice that of Europe - making it one of the highest in the world - and is the most readily accessible resource available. This immense energy resource lends itself to a number of potential uses and the country's solar-equipment industry is growing with a number of companies in South Africa selling solar energy products. Existing Problems For many years, South Africa has suffered from poor energy efficient housing. Low-cost housing is particularly poor for saving energy, resulting in high levels of wasted energy especially in winter. The result is harmful levels of air pollution in townships, due mainly to coal burning. But not all is lost.... Research has shown that if low-cost housing can be fitted with solar energy installations then fuel savings of as much as 65% could be made. And energy saving homes can be built at the same cost as energy-wasteful houses.
South African Solar Water Heating Programme Water heating accounts for a third to half of the energy use in the average South African household. This comes mainly from electricity. If solar energy replaced electricity for this then it would save the lower income households significant money, whilst saving energy, which will in turn improve the environment in which they live. A roll-out programme of solar water heaters has started, with the focus on higher income households in Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. This program is led by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). Conclusion Solar water heaters have many benefits both for the customer and for South Africa. The customer benefits by having a reduced electricity bill and the country benefits because less power has to be generated and so less pollution is generated. And as solar water heaters and solar photovoltaic panels can be used both at residential and commercial buildings, with the amount of sunshine South Africa basks in, there really is no excuse for the government not implementing it more aggressively. Solar Dealers Son Power are based in Killarney Gardens, Cape Town and supply both solar water heaters and solar pv modules.
Restor - located in Pietermaritzburg, they specialise in solar water heaters and energy conservation.
Sustainable Projects - based in Cape Town, this company has nearly 20 years experience in design, engineering, fabrication, construction and installation of both solar water heating and solar pv systems.
Titan - located in Honeydew, Gauteng, they stock both solar pv and water heater units. They also have a great range of LED lights.
Solar Impact - with offices in both Pretoria and Cape Town these specialize in the sale and installation of solar water heaters.
Free Heat - a Cape Town based, black empowered South African company who supply and install the latest technology solar water heaters.
Sun Power - based in Cape Town, this company specialises in solar water heaters.
Solar Zone - based in False Bay, Cape Town, these are a Schuco partner and deal in both PV and thermal systems.
Solar Max - they offer complete solutions in Solar Water Heating to the Overberg and Western Cape Area. Their product range is individually chosen for quality and for your unique requirements and budget.
Solien - located in Wilderness Hills in George, Western Cape, these deal in both PV and thermal installations. Well worth a look! For more information go to south africa solar energy association To return to our solar energy home page.
|
