Solar Energy

Solar energy can be used to generate electricity, heat water and to heat or cool buildings. South Africa experiences some of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world. Despite this, the uptake of solar technologies has been minimal.

The Energy Development Corporation (EDC) aims to act as a catalyst in encouraging the use of solar technologies. It is implementing projects aimed at addressing the barriers that prevent the uptake and full commercialisation of selected solar technologies.

Solar Water Heating 500 Project

The South African solar water heating market has considerable potential for electricity savings, to increase employment opportunities, improve electricity demand management and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

While a wide range of products is available, the industry is faced with severe limitations in terms of standardisation, awareness, affordability and financing. This has affected the uptake of the technology.

This project aims at transforming the market for solar water heating in South Africa by tackling these barriers and creating a susceptible market environment.

The aim of the project is to install and subsidise 500 solar water heaters in low-, medium- and high-income urban households. It also aims to:

 standardise the solar water heating quality and testing regime;

 consolidate and expand distribution and maintenance infrastructure;

 offer low-interest financing options; and

 ensure continued awareness and involvement on both the supply and demand side.

 

A second phase of the market transformation will enable commercial installation of 9 000 solar water heaters over a period of five years, with the goal being to bridge affordability gaps and make the benefits of solar water heating available to low-income households.

The project is controlled through a project advisory committee that represents the EDC and the Department of Minerals and Energy, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Environment Facility (GEF), South African Bureau of Standards, Development Bank of South Africa, SolaSure and other stakeholders to ensure the correct implementation of the project.

Project update

Solar Cooker Market survey: A market survey has been completed. It has been externally validated twice against the terms of reference by the Energy Research Centre at UCT. The project will be conducting an implementation market survey, completed during pre- and post-installation.

Download the final report of the market survey of solar water heating in South Africa [PDF, 948KB]

Standards: Standards for domestic solar water heaters have been finalised and are available for purchase from the SABS. The reference is SANS 1307-2005. Visit the SABS website.

Test rig: Through funds from the Department of Science and Technology, EDC purchased Africa's first solar water heater test rig. The test rig was built at the University of Stuttgart.

Training: There is a registered unit standard on a NQF level 3 that has been accepted by the South African Qualifications Authority. The unit standard relates to the installation of solar water heater systems. The code of practice and the NQF unit standard will form the basis of the training within the project. Currently the training material is being designed to assist in the process of training new and current solar water heater installers.

Financial mechanism: The first phase of the financing mechanism has been completed. The EDC has selected a financing strategy per area, based on primary research conducted in the first phase of this objective.