Solar water heating industry news

More news from Selected Energy

Space heating tips for chilly winter

According to Eskom, space heating coupled with a conventional electric geyser is responsible for 55% of an average household's energy usage per month (an electric geyser is responsible for a greedy 39%!). We know that a Solahart solar water heater will save up to 90% on your water heating costs, but how do you keep your house warm during the chilly winter evenings? We found this easy-to-do list on Property 24 on how to keep your electricity bills low this winter.

Do you have any energy-savings tips you want to share? You can do so on our Facebook or Twitter profiles.

Keep your electricity bill low this winter

"High risk" of rolling blackouts - Eskom
Eskom's spokesperson Hilary Joffe announced on Monday 9 January 2012 that there is a "very high" risk of rolling blackouts across South Africa. The possibility of load shedding is fueled by planned maintenance, unplanned maintenance as well as an increase in demand for power as businesses around the country return to normal after the December holiday. These blackouts might take place from 9 January lasting through to February. Eskom urged all South Africans to save as much electricity as they can to prevent the blackouts from happening.

According to Eskom, power supply will be tight until the completion of the two power stations, Medupi and Kusile (estimated date of completion is 2017). Considering the situation, we urge all South Africans to consider renewable energy. We are blessed with over 2 500 hours of sunshine a year - perfect conditions for solar water heating. Need to find our more? Click here.

Remember to follow @SelectedEnergy on Twitter for updates on the situation.

SA's Green Economy Accord

November was a busy month for the renewable energy industry - the much anticipated COP17 climate change conference kicked off in Durban and South Africa's Green Economy Accord was launched. Minister of Economic Development, Mr Ebrahim Patel, referred to solar water heating systems as "...an example of the green economy’s developmental benefits."

"Many South Africans have been able to access hot water through solar water heating systems. The vast majority of new solar water heating systems are installed in houses owned by low-income South Africans. This programme helps to bring the benefits of renewable energy to local communities”, Mr Patel added. The Green Accord was launched by the South African government at COP17.

Greening SA (with tax benefits)

The 60 days that were made available to the public to comment on the proposed amendment to the National Energy Act 2008, came to an end today. The amendment will allow companies to claim tax from SARS if they are able to provide evidence of energy efficiency savings. According to Polity.org.za, these savings “…would have to be proved through a measurement and verification report undertaken by a body accredited by the South African National Accreditation System and also registered with the South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi).”

In other energy news, the Green Building Council of South Africa reported in their latest newsletter that they are currently developing a new tool to address existing buildings (the amended building regulations act do not address existing buildings.) The Operational Energy and Water Benchmarking Tool will be based on “…actual measured annual performance of existing buildings, and not on design or design standards.” This tool will be launched mid 2012.

Use me more!

Greenpeace Africa's latest campaign, Use Me More, aims to get as many supporters as possible to ask the government to double its renewable energy efforts. You can also help the Sun and the Wind, by registering here.

Selected Energy at Decorex JHB

Need expert solar advise? Then pay the Selected Energy team a visit at the annual Decorex expo in Johannesburg (Gallagher Estate). Our team of experts and dealers will tell you more about the benefits and advantages of Solahart solar water heaters. Go on and say hi!

Selected Energy dealers Wimpie and Larissa The Selected Energy stand at Decorex 2011

Industry news: Business Day

Selected Energy at Grand Designs

Selected Energy exhibited at the Grand Designs Expo in Johannesburg from 20 – 22 May 2011. Johannesburg North dealer Adrian Chessman said that the exhibition went quite well and the general feeling from the public was positive and enthusiastic. "Overall I got the impression that South African consumers are getting wise to the fact that not all solar water heaters are equal and that Solahart is a cut above the rest," said Chessman.

The Selected Energy stand at Grand Designs

To load shed or not to load shed

This weekend saw a bit of a huff and a puff in the media surrounding the sensitive topic of load shedding. Eyewitness News reported that according to the Energy Department, Eskom did plan for the increased demand in electricity during winter and that load shedding was a last resort. However, the Ekurhuleni municipality advised residents of possible load shedding in the area as a precautionary measure. Our advice? Start saving on your electricity consumption by taking the following energy saving tips to heart.

Sessa SWH office opened in Cape Town

Engineering News - The Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa’s (Sessa’s) Solar Water Heating (SWH) division has opened a dedicated office in Cape Town. This would assist the organisation to achieve its vision of installing one square metre of solar collector for every person by 2020.
The new office, situated in the Colosseum Building at Century City, would be run by Robin Thomson, who served on the Sessa SWH committee from 2007 to 2011, and would deepen the technical service expertise of the Sessa solar office. Thomson said the growth in Sessa was reflected by South Africans’ acceptance of renewable energy sources over fossil fuels, where suitable, so that renewable sources account for a major share of all energy needs. Read more here.

Rob Davies hints at mandatory SWH installation

Trade and Industry minister Rob Davies has hinted at mandatory solar water heater installations in his budget speech. Selected Energy has posted the relevant paragraphs for you here. If you want to read the minister's whole speech click here.

Globally Green industries represent an important new growth sector and we have begun to orientate our efforts to play a bigger role in this regard. These efforts have resulted in the revision of building standards that will require higher levels of energy efficiency and mandatory installation of solar water heaters in new buildings. In addition, The South African Bureau of Standards has finalised standards for solar water heaters; wind energy turbines; energy efficient lighting, appliances and products; electric batteries and alternative fuel vehicles and the co-generation of electricity and bio fuels.

Selected Energy supports Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's call for energy efficiency

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is flying the flag for energy efficiency. We at Selected Energy wholeheartedly support the call. There has been many subtle warnings in the media that load shedding may well become a reality again if South Africans do not change their mindset regarding energy consumption. Installing a solar water heater is still the most effective change a household can make. A Solahart solar water heater can reduce household electricity consumption by as much as 40%. Why not calculate you own savings? Read all about Deputy President Motlanthe’s commitment here.

Flick the switch

Want to create awareness around global warming? No need to start picketing in the streets, just flick the switch during Earth Hour 2011. On 28 March 2011at 8.30pm businesses, communities and individuals across the globe will turn of their lights in support of climate change awareness. Click here to read how the manufacturers of Solahart will be supporting this great incentive.

Growing Pains

A recent report by growth partnership company Frost and Sullivan, published on Business Live, reports that the solar water heater market experienced phenomenal growth in South Africa. From 1997 the amount of suppliers increased from just under 20 to more than 400. This is due to the load shedding crisis of 2007 / 2008, the uncertainty surrounding electricity price hikes and a little push from Eskom’s rebate scheme. Read more.

Selected Energy will be attending the Hostex 2011

Selected Energy will be at Hostex from 13-16 March 2011 at the Sandton Convention Centre. Visit us there for more information on large and small commercial solar thermal applications. http://www.hostex.co.za/

Selected Energy at Homemakers Expo

Selected Energy recently exhibited their Solahart solar water geysers at the Homemakers Expo, which was held at The Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate. According to Adrian Chessman from Solahart North in Johannesburg, they experienced more interest from the public than in the past years.

"Lead conversion will give a clearer idea of whether or not it was just interest or if people are indeed getting serious about solar. Let's hope it's the latter!" says Chessman.

Industry collusion unlikely, says expert

I read with interest reports in Business Day and Fin24 that Department Deputy Director-General for Electricity, Nuclear and Clean Energy, Ompie Aphane believes there is collusion between solar water heater suppliers.

In my opinion this is an absurd statement. Firstly, there are just too many players in the market. To get so many players to agree on the colour of the sky let alone which price to charge for solar water heaters is near impossible. Read the rest of the article here.

Time to take heat off, Cape Town

CAPE TOWN needs to get serious about adopting a massive solar water heater programme.
Read the rest of the article here.

Rentiahof Guest House installs seven 300-litre solar water heater systems

Klerksdorp - A Klerksdorp resident and owner of Rentiahof Guest Suites, Marius Cronje, recently purchased seven 300-litre Solahart solar water heaters for his private residence and his guesthouse.
Read the rest of the article here.

Fochville Gym gets two 300-litre solar water heater systems

Fochville - Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp Solahart dealers Lourens de Jongh and Ryno Jansen recently installed two 300-litre solar water heater systems at the Fochville Gym.
Read the rest of the article here.

Dark days ahead?

Recent reports claim South Africans can expect power cuts and load shedding due to heavy rains.

The online news website, Times Live http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article838909.ece/SA-dreads-the-lights-going-out-yet-again, reports that most of the 27 power stations that are run by Eskom, are based in Mpumalanga – one of the provinces that experienced unusually high rainfall the past couple of weeks.