The amount of energy generated by solar power is expected to increase six-fold by 2030, and the International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA) predicts that with the lower costs, solar will become a formidable force by 2025. But as renewable energy plants are increasing exponentially, solar energy adoption in South Africa still has a long way to go, says Johan Pienaar, Commercial Director, SolarAfrica.
While there is work to be done in the policy space, South Africa has a very well-established industry of solar power suppliers; from architects to solar installation experts and OEMs that offer world-class products and services. Leading solar companies are proving there is no doubt that technology is leading the charge on the accessibility of renewable power solutions.
Currently, there are three pillars to facilitating renewable energy adoption Solar Financing, policy enablement and, technology. For a solar business or homeowner, navigating solar system financing options is key. While the policy debate continues and NERSA works to balance its commitment to protect the interests of the power generator and consumers, embedded generation is the only route for those wishing to gain control of their energy requirements, moving towards sustainable power solutions.
It is widely understood that embedded generation solar solutions such as solar offer customers excellent savings on their energy making an affordable solar system a compelling prospect.
The real value though can be seen in the technology supporting these solar power solutions. Many people think of a solar system as solar panels, whereas it should rather be seen as units of energy, or kWh. The solar panel is simply the technology that delivers that energy to the customer. We need to break through the tech barrier and get to the kWh. When we shift our mindset to appreciate that the kWh is the product, then our perspective on alternative power solutions changes.
Besides the potential savings, the value that technology offers is the capability to have better visibility on energy usage. This is no longer a reactive insight gained from tracking how much diesel your generator used last month – but, a more evolved software solution that allows customers to monitor their usage in real-time through integrated data insights. This is crucial for effective backup power solutions and sophisticated off grid power solutions.
Monitoring solutions that integrate various consumption data offer customers the chance to proactively manage their energy usage as well as help them remain within the requirements for embedded generation – that is, to produce energy sufficient only for your own consumption.
The reality is we live in a data-rich world. Technological innovations highlight just how much can be gained when we shape green power solutions to overcome barriers. In this case, technology is not just about the solar panels; it can improve our lifestyles through the information it provides us with and thereby, the informed decisions we now have the power to make.
Consumers want to make decisions about their energy usage; managing how much they use each month, prioritising usage – either for financial or environmental reasons – and, perhaps lifestyle reasons.
Unfortunately, despite the advances made in the technology space, policy issues remain a hot topic. Where it will end up remains the cause for much debate, but while that discussion continues, consumers and businesses still have the choice to employ embedded generation and benefit from significant savings and data insights straight away. Many power providers now offer a PPA (power purchase agreement), which is a form of solar financing that provides immediate access to affordable power solutions without upfront capital.
While the US and Europe may be streaks ahead regarding legislation, when it comes to the key decisions regarding whether to adopt solar or not, South African energy service companies offer solar for business that meets all the needs of commercial, industrial, and residential consumers. This includes designing and managing commercial solar energy systems and taking care of all operational requirements. A well-designed solar system for business is a proven strategic asset.
So when we ask ourselves whether we should wait another year, we need to consider the savings we could be making and the valuable data we can be gathering now to start optimizing our lifestyle and energy usage. A lot can be achieved in a year.
