Plumbing Africa February 2020 | Page 36

34 ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Why aren't we warming to solar? Low pressure systems are a social rather than an energy efficiency project. By Eamonn Ryan Is installing a solar geyser still a financial decision or has it become an ethical decision? Solar water heaters offer individuals an opportunity to choose to make a difference through their own personal choices and actions. Solar geysers save on electricity and cold showers during load shedding – but due to their high upfront costs haven't always made financial sense unless one is consciously making a moral choice. In contrast, selling someone a household solar PV system by convincing them they’ll recoup the cost of their investment within an unrealistic timeframe is morally debatable. With electricity prices already high, and more big power price increases on the way, that is changing – but not quite as rapidly as one might think, if one is factoring in some degree of moral consciousness. All stick and no carrot Barry Bredenkamp, general manager for Energy Efficiency at The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), points to the two types of solar water heating systems currently available: “The low-pressure system which is typically installed www.plumbingafrica.co.za @plumbingonline @plumbingonline in low-cost/RDP housing free of charge by government does not have a financial benefit because it is solely a social programme that goes to people who would not otherwise be using energy to heat water. This may even be increasing energy consumption if it comes with a back-up energy unit. Pay-back periods don’t come into the equation. This has been quite clearly categorised as a social development rather than an energy efficiency programme. “The high-pressure system is what is generally used by middle- to high-income families, and this is where people have to make a financial decision as to whether they are going to convert to solar heating or not. Most people will do an upgrade but keep an electrical back- up system.” He points to the need for this: at the time of the interview, Johannesburg was in the midst of a week- long drought-breaking tropical rain-fest in which the sun hadn’t once appeared through the overcast conditions. “Anyone without an electrical back-up would have had nothing but cold water. That’s the downside of converting to solar heated water. Because it is a substantial investment (of between R12 000 and R20 000), most @PlumbingAfricaOnline February 2020 Volume 25 I Number 12