Eskom Rebate | The Water and Solar Company

MD of yes solar interviewed by Pick n Pay

Nov 112010

Ever wondered what going solar is really all about? We answer your questions below… Transcript from Pick n Pay

We chat to Richard Jamieson, managing director of Yes Solar, one of South Africa’s leading solar energy companies, to find out all the answers to our solar questions.
1. Why is solar power better than regular electricity?
Bottom line, you’re using a source of power that is 100% renewable. You’re not ‘using up’ the sun by putting a panel on your roof. Next most important thing is that it’s clean. Sure, the panel requires energy and materials to make, but after that you don’t produce any greenhouse gasses or other waste products when using solar.

2. Isn’t it very expensive to install?
The upfront cost is high, but the real number to look at is your payback period. This is how long it takes for your savings to add up to the upfront cost. Solar water heating systems, if correctly sized, pay for themselves in 3 to 4 years. This is much less than it used to be, thanks to higher electricity prices and to the Eskom rebate.

3. Is it true that Eskom offers a rebate?
Eskom has something called a Demand Side Management programme, and one of the initiatives of that programme is to offer a rebate to people who buy solar water heaters. The rebate is a cash amount which is paid out within eight weeks of installation. The process is managed by Deloitte. Rebates can be anywhere between R3000 and R13000, depending on the size and efficiency of your system.

4. Isn’t solar power only for hippies?
This might have been true in the past, but these days solar power is for people who want to save themselves money, and for people who want to be less dependent on Eskom, and for people who want to reduce their own carbon footprint. If you rely on Eskom in SA your carbon footprint is big, because they’re so reliant on coal to produce the electricity we all use.

5. How much money could potentially be saved by going solar?
This depends on a number of factors – mainly how many people in your home use hot water and what their water usage habits are. Somewhere between R200 and R400 a month for 2-5 people living together with fairly normal water usage habits.

6. What if it’s cloudy all month and there’s no sun?
Every system we install has electrical backup. A timer/controller on the unit makes sure that hot water when you need it by activating the element (if solar alone is not getting the water hot enough).

7. How reliable is it?
Reliability is a key factor when making a purchasing decision. You’re buying something that should last you twenty years, so choose carefully and don’t go for the cheapest option. Choosing a company that is going to provide good backup service is also important. Look for a supplier that has SABS mark approval.

8. How does one go about getting it installed?
Call us and we will come round and do a site visit which will allow us to put together a solution (or range of solutions) that suit your home and your budget. If you decide to go ahead, installation takes roughly one day per geyser.

Solar water heating systems: The obvious solution

Solar Water heating No Responses »

Oct 212010

Households that invest in solar water heating can get a subsidy of up to 40% from Eskom on equipment.

GEORGE BUSINESS NEWS – A new report released by the department of energy warns that power failures are once again on the agenda unless drastic measures are implemented.
What exactly these measures entail, remains unclear.
But by being pro-active, you can ensure that your own household is at least always assured of the comfort of hot water.
Only a few years ago you really had to search for a company to install a solar water heating system, but today prospective clients can pick and choose between 500 suppliers countrywide.

Get the right supplier
But, has this made it any easier? In quantity maybe, but pick your supplier very carefully.
The key to a system that will suit your household needs perfectly, lies in determining your exact needs. The system should provide in your hot water needs, save you money and minimise your carbon footprint. As electricity prices escalate, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approved the introduction of preferential rates for those who invest in solutions for reduced energy consumption.

Households that invest in solar water heating can get a subsidy of up to 40% from Eskom on equipment, and will also be able to reduce energy costs through the preferential rate on offer.
The residential inclining block tariff has four different rates with lower consumption blocks offering lower rates.
But regardless of these special tariffs to Eskom clients, a solar heating system will save everybody 70% of their monthly water heating bill.
That is, if you have the right system.

How to get the rebate
Vincent Davis, technical director of Green Power Solar Systems says many myths surround the issue of Eskom rebates. “Countrywide about 5500 households have received rebates after installing solar heating systems. It was implemented about two years ago to reduce the residential load. It needs to come down by about 10%. In 15 years’ time we will need double our current capacity.”

But the energy provider’s long-term inability to cater for our needs is not the only reason not to delay installing a solar system.
The Eskom subsidy is expected to decrease over the next four years and a 40% saving is not to be sneered at.
However, Davis says Eskom is very strict and will only pay out the subsidy if you abide by its rules.

“The size of the rebate depends on the performance of the system ie how much units you save Eskom, the system that you install, and then it must also be supplied and installed by an Eskom accredited supplier. The system must also be SABS approved.” A list of approved suppliers can be found at www.eskomdsm.co.za.

Davis says people should also look at the guarantee and warranty and whether it is SABS approved or just SABS tested. “This could make a huge difference as the SABS mark of approval means that the whole manufacturing process has been inspected and ensures quality of product.”

Go green
A 150-litre heating system will spare the atmosphere 1,6 tons of CO² per year – the burning of 820kg coal.
New legislation will force all new homes of 300m² or more to fit solar geysers and other ener-gy saving products.
And the green benefit will also have a ‘green buck’ spin-off.
The resale value of green pro-perties shows a dramatic increase as people are increa-singly in tune with eco friendly investments. According to Davis, Green Power is into solutions, not the selling of products.
“Every home and family pose unique challenges and to get the most out of your solar heating system in all respects, all factors should be considered and brought together to ensure the perfect solution for you.”

ARTICLE: ILSE SCHOONRAAD George Herald

Checking for leaks in taps, pipes and dishwasher hoses is an easy way to reduce water wastage.
Remember, one leaking tap can waste more than 2,000 lt a month.
There’s no need to leave the tap running while you brush your teeth. Simply wet your toothbrush before you begin and use a glass of water to rinse your mouth.
The most water efficient methods for cooking vegetables are microwaving, steaming or using a pressure cooker. You can also cut down on water loss by using tight lids on pots and simmering instead of boiling rapidly.
Installing water efficient taps or tap aerators is a great, inexpensive way to cut your water usage without you even noticing.
Put the plug in the sink when washing your hands instead of holding them under running water.
Thaw frozen foods before you need them or use the microwave instead of placing them under running water.
Prevent taps from leaking by turning taps off lightly and replace washers as soon as they begin to leak.
Automatic dishwashers can use up to 40 lt of water per load. By using a dishwasher with at least a 3 star/AAA rating, you can get this figure down to 18 lt per load and still get the kind of sparkling clean dishes you’re used to.
Wait until you have a full load in your dishwasher before using it. This saves water and energy, and reduces the amount of detergent entering the sewerage system.
Keep a container of water in the fridge so that you won’t need to run the water down the sink until it’s cool enough to drink.
Washing fruit and vegetables in a half-filled sink instead of under running water is a great way to cut back on water wastage.
Rinsing your dishes in a plugged sink rather than under a running tap saves water and is just as easy and effective.
Use a sink strainer.
Try to use phosphate-free, eco-friendly detergents and cleaning products. There’s a great range to choose from these days and they’re much better for our environment.
Remember to regularly clean the lint filter on your washing machine.
Most washing machines have a load adjustment button or dial, so try to set this to match the amount of washing you’re doing. If your machine doesn’t have a load adjustment function, try to wait until you have enough washing for a full load.
Installing one of the latest 3 star/AAA rating showerheads can give you a great shower and save you around 10 lt of water a minute. They also save you energy costs, as you’ll use less hot water.
To rinse your razor, run a little water into a plugged sink. Rinsing your razor under a running tap wastes lots of water.
Electric or fuel powered leaf blowers work more efficiently than hosing down paths and driveways.
Pool covers reduce the amount of water you need to keep your pool full and running efficiently.

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MD of yes solar interviewed by Pick n Pay

Solar water heating systems: The obvious solution

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MD of yes solar interviewed by Pick n Pay

Solar water heating systems: The obvious solution

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