Tag: solar power

As load shedding persists and solar gains popularity in South Africa, households are left with the decision of either buying or renting a solution. Solar solutions have taken centre stage in South African homes. The quest for an “always on” lifestyle has propelled consumers into a crucial crossroads: should you rent or buy your solar system?

In the past few years, we’ve seen the increase of wind and solar power generation as a cost-effective substitute for fossil fuels. Solar power is notorious as a go-to option and the fastest-growing energy source, playing a critical role to achieving a sustainable carbon free future. However, with renewable energy not available twenty-four hours a day, the need for balanced and flexible power generation is becoming rapidly apparent.

Imagine installing a R2.5 million solar operation to power your property, only to have your property destroyed by a fire. This is the very real risk property owners face if the installation of the solar power solution is not done in accordance with regulation and South African National Standards (SANS).

With a stage 16 draft in place, and stage 8 load shedding almost put into practice, it’s important that individuals and organisations get ready for what might happen if the lights go out. The National Rationalised Specifications (NRS) Association issued a press release. A non-event for most companies, a singular moment for the NRS as it may well be the first in the organisation’s history.

By now you would be hard-pressed to find a South African who is not familiar with the terms Stage 1-6 of load shedding, or even the tongue-in-cheek, Eish-kom. All of these are used to describe the instability of the national power grid.

We are pleased to share our second South Africa Economic Outlook report for 2023. In the wake of Budget 2023 and announced incentives for investment in solar power generation, this edition focuses on green incentives and their role in encouraging local businesses to invest in renewable electricity generation.

As the South African government looks for solutions to the country’s electricity crisis, significant emphasis has been placed on households and businesses investing in solar panels as a way of reducing the pressure on the national power grid.

To date, policymakers, regulators, the scientific community and even consumers have had to step in to close the economic gap between the hydrocarbon energy system and the low-carbon system. This transition is an energy system transition, not a supply-centric one, and it is distinguished by placing decarbonisation at the core.

In Elon Musk's words, "…if we expand the scope and scale of consciousness, then we are better able to understand what questions to ask". In all predictions of what technology will bring us in 2021 and beyond, one must ask the right questions and not just focus on the shiny new things.

Read our exclusive cover story titled TECH 2021 | IF THE UNIVERSE HAS THE ANSWERS - WHAT ARE THE QUESTIONS? by Steven Ambrose, Managing Director, Atvance Intellect, as well a host of other topical management articles written by professionals, consultants and academics in the February/March 2021 edition of BusinessBrief.