Solar

 

 

Eskoms solar power rebate program. Read below or click here to follow link for more information.

 

Take note!

Make sure your supplier AND system are registered on the programme and note that YOU claim your rebate and not the supplier.

Introduction to Eskom's Solar Water Heating Programme

The Eskom Solar Water Heating Programme is driven by government which has set a target for renewable energy to contribute 10 000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of final energy consumption by 2013. Solar water heating could contribute up to 23% of this target. Eskom is supporting this drive through the large-scale introduction of solar water heating as it is one of the most effective renewable energy sources available.

 

Eskom rebates on solar water heating systems

Eskom's Solar Water Heating Programme, introduced at the beginning of 2008, has undergone a major change that brings it into line with international practice.

With immediate effect consumer rebates will now be paid directly to consumers and not to the installing supplier. In order to claim the rebate for the system fitted by approved Eskom suppliers, the purchaser will submit a claim for the rebate to Eskom's auditors who are facilitating and monitoring the process.

The rebate system is not in anyway exclusive. The requirements of a supplier to sell systems that qualify for rebates are the following:

• Be able to offer a 5 year guarantee
• Submit documents, including public liability and company details
• Have system tested AND passed at the SABS for the following;
  • Safety
  • Mechanical
  • Thermal

The choice of what systems are submitted for testing is solely up to the supplier.

Important: No rebates are paid for systems which were installed before your system, your supplier or your installer were registered on the programme.

Solar energy advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of solar energy

• There is virtually an unlimited supply of solar energy for us to use and it is renewable. This means that our reliance on fossil fuels can be reduced in direct proportion by the amount of solar energy that we produce. With the constantly increasing demands on our traditional energy sources and the climbing costs related to these increases, solar is quickly becoming a necessity.
• Solar energy is an excellent alternative energy source because there is no pollution generated while it is being used so we actually reduce pollution with every watt of power generated from the sun. Even if we can’t reduce how much energy is used we should at least control where that energy comes from.
• There is no cost involved with using solar power other that the cost of manufacturing the components, purchasing and installation. After your initial investment there is no further cost associated with its use.
• Solar energy systems are flexible and expandable. This means that your first solar project can be a small one and you can expand your solar electric system to meet your needs by installing more panels. By starting with a small project you can avoid a major investment up front.
• As our use of solar energy increases, our demand on fossil fuels decreases. This will extend the time before our supply of fossil fuels (oil and natural gas etc…) expires or costs become so high only the rich can afford them.
• There is no pollution associated with the use of solar power. No smoke stacks pumping greenhouse gasses into the air means less pollution.
• A solar electric system installed in a home could potentially eliminate 18 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the environment each year.
• Using solar energy is a silent process. No noise pollution.
• With space heating appliances using fossil fuels there is always the risk of a cracked heat exchanger, which can cause CO2 poisoning (Carbon Dioxide). This is not a problem when using solar energy.
• A great advantage of solar is for remote applications. It is the best way to supply electricity to isolated places in the world where the cost associated with installing power distribution lines makes it impractical or impossible.
• Solar energy can be used to heat water and for space heating.
• You can build your own system from collecting the parts required or purchase one of the many solar kits that are available. Using kits takes a lot of the work out of building your own system.

Solar energy disadvantages

• Potentially large areas of land are required for large-scale commercial solar energy projects. A self sufficient home system doesn’t have this concern.
• The initial outlay associated with the installation of solar systems. Over time the savings does however exceed the outlay.
• Although many places in the world don’t have enough constant and intense sunshine to make commercial use of solar energy practical. In South Africa we definately don't have this problem.
• If you have limited sunshine in your area, it may be difficult to produce a constant supply of solar energy. There are various ways to overcome this of which one would be to have an electrical backup for times where solar energy is not available or even just as a gap filler at night.

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