HARNESSING SOLAR HEAT FOR MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY A SANEDI PERSPECTIVE
Over 80% of electricity generated in the SADC region is from coal. However, SADC faces a power deficit due to lack of investment in the power infrastructure leading to subsequent imminent disruption to power supplies, which is a major threat to the economic growth, according to SANEDI, which is constantly abreast of developments within renewable energy. A considerable share (40–50%) of electricity is used for hot water preparation, thus solar water heating is an important option to consider in order to reduce the electricity demand and associated environmental effects such as CO2 emissions caused by fossil fuel power plants. SADC member states have excellent solar irradiation of more than 2000 kWh/m² annual radiation. Estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggest that solar thermal systems could meet about 70–80% of the regions’ lowtemperature heating and cooling demand. What needs to be done to
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Solar energy is available for harness in two forms – heat and light; it may be free, but it requires technology to be able to exploit this valuable resource. The direct use of the heat component of solar energy is extremely efficient since in excess of 90% of this energy can be used directly in a solar thermal technology system.
deliver within required parameters, then skills must be developed in order to build and maintain these systems. As technology familiarity and uptake increases a local industry may begin developing in stages to manufacture and support the solar thermal system requirements. However, in parallel to this, quality and standards across all of these areas of technology development must be ensured so that reputation and thus support of solar thermal is maintained.
Various technologies are available for deployment in this sector and South Africa is showcasing some of the best. If widespread uptake and implementation of this technology can be stimulated, a local market will begin to grow. Local market development may have many facets that will grow and be stimulated at different rates when taking nationwide support of solar water heating technology into consideration. Initially, systems need to be demonstrated to be able to
South Africa has already made significant progress in the above described value chain, stopping just short of manufacturing, the implementation of solar thermal technology is steadily increasing and innovating. South Africa is now rated in the top 20 of District and Residential Heating Global Capacity (IEA 2019) based on significant installations at Wits Junction student residences and the Klein Karoo International Ostrich Leather Tannery.
harness this energy that can alleviate stress on the constrained electricity grid in South Africa?
RENEWABLE ENERGY
