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Solar solutions can address load-shedding
Off-grid solar solutions have the potential to solve the challenge of load-shedding . Load-shedding seems to be behind us , but South Africa ’ s energy situation leaves much to be desired . Millions of people , mostly living in rural areas , do not have access to electricity and are forced to rely on charcoal , paraffin , and firewood .
South Africa may have significantly improved people ’ s access to electricity since 1994 , but 16 % of the population — eight million men , women , and children — still have no power . One reason , besides being unable to afford electricity , is that the national grid does not reach remote rural areas .
Renewable energy can make a difference , particularly offgrid solutions that do not require recipients to be connected to the national grid . This market is exploding , particularly in sub-Saharan Africa .
The 2018 Global Off-Grid Solar Market Trends Report by Lighting Global — an initiative by the International Finance Corporation , the World Bank , and the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association — shows that 130-million off-grid home kits , solar kiosks , and other devices have been sold across sub-Saharan Africa since 2010 .
East Africa is leading the way in this regard .
KEY PLAYERS One of the key players , M-Kopa , has sold more than 600 000 solar-power home kits in Kenya , Tanzania , and Uganda since its launch in 2011 . Its goal is to increase that number to four million by 2023 .
South Africa has jumped on to the off-grid solar bandwagon with innovations such as Shakti Energy , Freedom Won , and The Sun Exchange .
One of the latest ventures is SolarTurtle , a local manufacturer of solar-powered kiosks and containers that serve as small business premises .
“ There is a massive off-grid solar opportunity in South Africa , because the demand for electricity is growing and because of the applicability of solar — the sun shines everywhere ,” says CEO and founder , James van der Walt .
“ I had the idea in 2009 when I was living in Ireland , but I only had the courage to give up my day job as a software engineer when I moved back to South Africa in 2011 . On my return to South Africa , I contacted the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at the University of Stellenbosch for feedback . They suggested I enrol in their mechanical engineering master ’ s programme , which I did .”
Van der Walt decided to focus on off-grid solar applications after visiting 12 schools in the Eastern Cape where the Departments of Education as well as Science and Technology had started rolling out tablets .
“ The problem was their energy supply ,” Van der Walt says . “ Government-installed solar panels had been stolen or were broken , and there were issues related to copper cable theft . Security is a big issue . It is a well-organised campaign that goes from school to school to steal cables and panels after school when there is no one around . They asked me to have a look at the situation , which I did ,” Van der Walt continues .
The first pilot container was deployed in June 2015 , thanks to support from the Technology Innovation Agency , and the Department of Science and Technology .
More opened in due course , including Nedbank ’ s first solar branch in Mncwasa , 60km from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape .
“ This was exciting . Not everyone sees the value of rural electrification . I hope more of these contracts come our way soon . There is a business case for new markets , which are people living in informal settlements and rural areas . Many companies seem to be waking up to this .”
He says they are making a difference from every direction , noting that SolarTurtle aims to spread its wings when the time is right .
Lesotho , Mozambique , and Zimbabwe are countries Van der Walt wants to expand into . “ At the same time , we don ’ t want to lose South Africa as a market .” PA Source : City Press
May 2018 Volume 24 I Number 3 www . plumbingafrica . co . za