SA Affordable Housing November / December 2017 // Issue: 67 | Page 25
FEATURES
CHALLENGES OF GOING GREEN
The alternative energy industry is slowly developing in
our country, PV panels and solar geysers are becoming
more efficient and affordable. “The current cost of
alternative energy use impacts on return on investment
and does not warrant the installation of these items. This
is where innovative financing and public private
partnerships funding (PPP) becomes key to overcoming
the cost challenges,” says Naicker.
The inclusion of alternative energy can require
specialist contractors that impacts on the building
programme and logistics and, again, on costs. Naicker
says that these factors aren’t all negative as skills
development and small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) are growing in this sector.
“If we provide thought through homes and
communities and educate the community, we can greatly
reduce our energy requirements,” says Naicker.
WAY FORWARD
Collecting rain water to flush toilets is also a way of being
sustainable affordably.
The most important factor is behaviour, educating the
public on how the homes and communities are designed.
Initiatives around this are also vital to the success of
these projects.
“We are still not taking full advantage of green
initiatives in affordable housing projects though, the main
concern is funding and getting return on investment,
these challenges can be easily overcome through
innovative financing of projects and the partnership of
the public and private sectors,” says Naicker.
Matelec domestic light fi ttings lead the way
in quality and dependability
Innovators, Manufacturers and Distributors
of Electrical Products
Matelec are leaders in affordable housing products. Matelec has been manufacturing
affordable lighting for the past 40 years. We are proud of our quality and wide range
which includes light fi ttings, daylight switches and many products which contractors have
come to depend on. Matelec products are available from wholesalers countrywide,
and our products are exported internationally.
Tel: +27 (0)33 346 0466 • Fax: +27 (0)33 386 7036
43 Pentrich Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Email: [email protected] | www.matelec.co.za