ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
29
Solar energy
produces
plumbing profits
South Africa has abundant solar resources, so it makes sense that
every building should be getting its hot water from solar thermal
systems.
By SANEDI
These systems not only reduce the electrical
consumption of a building, but also offer the owner
a payback of less than seven years, making it an
attractive investment.
This is the opinion of Dr Karen Surridge, Centre manager
Renewable Energy Centre of Research & Development
(RECORD) for the South African National Energy
Development Institute (SANEDI) who started work in the
energy sector in 2001, when South Africa had among
the cheapest electricity tariffs in the world and surplus
electricity generating capacity.
August 2019 Volume 25 I Number 6
“A considerable share (40-50%) of electricity used in
the residential sector is for hot water preparation. Solar
thermal water systems can reduce the electricity demand
and thus reduce the associated environmental impact,
such as CO 2 emissions, caused by fossil fuel power plants.
“In comparison to other regions of the world, the use
of solar thermal energy in South Africa is still very low,
even though the availability of solar radiation is one of
the highest worldwide. South Africa has excellent solar
irradiation, with more than 2 000kWh/m² annual radiation,
and estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA)
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