RE 1,000,000 Solar Water Heaters

The target for Solar Water Heaters has been set at 1 million over the next 5 years. http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/solar-water-heater-rollout-target-easily-attainable-peters-2009-11-05

“Department of Energy acting DG Nelisizwe Magubane highlighted that for the target to be reached, no less than 200 000 SWH units would need to be installed a year.” Which at least goes to show that the DoE can do some math. It is my understanding that this would contribute approximately 50% of the 2013 Renewable Energy target of 10000 GWh.

The following policy is soon to come out:

· the finalisation of the SWH framework;

· provision of rules by the National Energy regulator of South Africa (Nersa);

· drawing up mandates for utilities to outline their responsibilities;

· ensuring building codes and regulations were aligned;

· assisting municipalities to draw up bylaws including SWH;

· and encouraging local manufacture.

It appears that this is still being driven by a Demand Side Management approach and not an Energy Efficiency approach. But nevertheless, it is an ambitious target, and I do hope they get it right!

I do also hope that in their policy they allow for all energy efficient water heating technologies to be used, as heat pumps can outperform Solar Water Heaters in terms of net energy consumed over a year, and they also reduce the winter energy demand, which is crucial in SA.

Frank