FEATURES
Solar roofing 101
Many people are considering having solar PV panels installed
in their homes as a more reliable and affordable alternative to
electricity. There are particular things that must be considered
before having PV panels installed.
By Dineo Phoshoko
A thatched roof house in Mozambique with PV solar panels. Image: Willem Wessels
W
inter is around the corner and everybody will
soon be preparing to survive the cold and dry
season. Surviving winter is not only about
keeping warm, but also about keeping warm safely and
affordably. With the cost of living no longer what it used to
be, living expenses such as electricity have increased.
People are now looking for alternatives that won’t hurt
their pockets.
Solar energy is one of the cost-saving alternatives that
can help people get through winter. As an alternative to
electricity, solar energy uses the natural energy of sun rays
to generate power. As a renewable energy source, solar
energy will not run out. Another advantage of solar energy
is that it is very safe and environmentally friendly because
it relies on the sun for fuel which has no emissions when it
produces energy, unlike coal-powered stations. Solar
energy is also more reliable than electricity as it is not
susceptible to power cuts. This is especially helpful during
winter when South Africa sometimes experiences
electricity shortages which result in power cuts.
Solar energy is suitable for the southern African region
because this part of the continent experiences sunshine
throughout the year. According to the department of
energy, the annual 24-hour global solar radiation average
is about 220W/m 2 for South Africa, compared with about
150W/m 2 for parts of the US and about 100W/m 2 for
Europe and the United Kingdom. This makes South Africa's
local resource one of the highest in the world.
// JUNE / JULY 2017 41