| 'The sun is a constant source of energy. Everyday it | | | | advanced and environmentally awarecountries. |
| provides us with 5000 times as much energy as the | | | | Also, because the electricity has been so inexpensive |
| whole world needs.' (Unknown) | | | | in SA, the cost of paying off a solar electricity system |
| In the 1950s and '60s efficient energy use was often | | | | that provides the same amount (or sufficient amount) |
| neglected in constructing buildings and houses, but the | | | | of electricity as a conventional system, will take an |
| high energy prices of the 1970s changed that. Some | | | | extremely long time to pay off with the money saved |
| buildings built in the 80's use only about 20% of the | | | | without using conventional electricity, and most home |
| energy used in buildings constructed just ten years | | | | owners in South Africa doesn't stay long enough in |
| earlier. Techniques to save energy include designing | | | | one home to justify the cost saving. |
| and siting buildings to use passive solar heat, avoiding | | | | Another factor is that the technology is becoming |
| overlighting, and using better insulation. A "life-cycle" | | | | more advanced day by day, and one might purchase |
| approach, which takes into account the total costs | | | | a system today which will reach the end of it's life |
| over the entire life of the building, rather than simply the | | | | before the system has paid for itself with money |
| initial construction cost or sales price, is encouraging | | | | saved from not using conventional electricity is over. |
| greater efficiency. | | | | Sustainability & the environment |
| SOLAR ENERGY IN SOUTH AFRICA | | | | Eskom might well be one of the cheapest electricity |
| Climate | | | | providers in the world, but it is also a fact that eskom |
| South Africa is one of the areas in the world with the | | | | releases some of the most pollution in the atmosphere |
| highest count of sunny days per year in the world | | | | by burning coal to generate electricity. Although air |
| therefore making it also one of the most appropriate | | | | pollution doesn't seem to be that big a problem here |
| places in the world to use solar power energy should | | | | than in other countries where acid rain etc. is huge |
| that be the only reason for using them. | | | | concerns for the community, it would be wise to |
| A photovoltaic sell uses the sun's light to create an | | | | sooner rather than later start to concentrate on the |
| electric current and not the heat of the sun as is | | | | environment in South Africa and that is when solar |
| commonly thought. A photovoltaic sell actually | | | | power could start playing a big role as an energy |
| decreases in efficiency when the sell is heated | | | | provider. |
| extremely because of the resistance building up in the | | | | Appropriate for us? |
| material. Because of the above fact, one can see that | | | | Solar panels can be used very effectively and |
| these photovoltaic panels is actually less efficient in | | | | appropriately in the remote areas around the country |
| very warm climates. South Africa, in summertime, can | | | | because the cost of connecting to the conventional |
| be extremely hot and could cause a photovoltaic panel | | | | power grid by laying cables might be even more |
| on certain summer days to work less efficient although | | | | expensive and once a solar PV system is installed one |
| not as significantly as 25% less efficient as it is said | | | | does not need any tools or technicians to maintain a |
| can be lost in desert-type climates. | | | | PV panel regularly. |
| Cost efficiency & economy | | | | There are a number of places in our environment |
| Eskom South Africa provides our country with some | | | | where solar power could be (and are already) used |
| of the cheapest conventional unsustainable electricity | | | | very effectively for example water pumps to dams in |
| costs in the world, and that is the main reason for solar | | | | nature reserves. PV panels have also been used to |
| energy technology not taking off in South Africa. | | | | power electric fencing in game reserves very |
| Although a number of solar thermal panels is in | | | | successfully for interruptions in electricity is eliminated |
| operation, even in residential buildings in the country, | | | | and big mammals like elephants has no chance of |
| photovoltaic panels was up to date just not cost | | | | breaking through a fence as could be the case in an |
| effective enough to justify the money saved using | | | | normal power interruption. |
| conventional electricity for manufacturers making them | | | | In conclusion, the use of solar power in South Africa |
| available on a large scale. Because of the | | | | isn't that far fetched when one look at the very |
| uncommonness and unavailability of these panels the | | | | appropriate weather conditions and the need to look at |
| prices of theses panels has not significantly decreased | | | | a more sustainable and renewable energy source for |
| in South Africa as it has in other more technologically | | | | the future. |