The effectiveness of solar water heating geysers in South Africa : a review

Abstract: The heating of water for domestic purposes is an important component of human daily activities, especially during cold weather conditions. In South Africa, it is estimated that households spend an average of 40% of their electricity on domestic water heating alone. This alone threatens energy affordability and access due to the high cost of electricity. The South African government seeing that the majority of low-income households do not afford electricity, introduced solar water heating (SWH) geysers as a possible affordable energy alternative technology. The massive roll-out of the solar water geysers began in 2008 managed to install 443 486 SWH geysers. This desktop study is envisaged to evaluate the implementation of the strategy and ends by investigating the effectiveness of the SWH geysers on reducing household grid energy demand between 2009 and 2017. The results of this study will illustrate the effectiveness, failures, successes or future approaches evolving around this technology

The effectiveness of solar water heating geysers in South Africa : a review

Abstract : The heating of water for domestic purposes is an important component of human daily activities, especially during cold weather conditions. In South Africa, it is estimated that households spend an average of 40% of their electricity on domestic water heating alone. This alone threatens energy affordability and access due to the high cost of electricity. The South African government seeing that the majority of low-income households do not afford electricity, introduced solar water heating (SWH) geysers as a possible affordable energy alternative technology. The massive roll-out of the solar water geysers began in 2008 managed to install 443 486 SWH geysers. This desktop study is envisaged to evaluate the implementation of the strategy and ends by investigating the effectiveness of the SWH geysers on reducing household grid energy demand between 2009 and 2017. The results of this study will illustrate the effectiveness, failures, successes or future approaches evolving around this technology

Assessment of household energy poverty levels in Louiville, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract: In this paper, an assessment of the extent of household energy poverty and the implications of socio-economic status of the households in Louiville (a rural settlement in Mpumalanga province, South Africa) is made. In total 165 households were sampled over the course of two years. A survey was conducted from a sample of 165 households recording objective data of energy expenses and subjective data about households’ satisfaction with current energy sources versus what they can afford vis-à-vis their income. Using the objective approach, the results showed a high prevalence, over 84% (n= 138), resulting from both the escalation of energy prices and low household income. Among the households under the poverty threshold, high dependence on traditional fuels including wood, coal and candles was noted for cooking, heating and illumination purposes. The subjective indicator analysis showed that, although the majority of households use traditional fuels for cooking and heating, over 91% of these households are not satisfied with their current energy share owing largely to energy affordability. In conclusion, the establishment of affordable energy tariffs for the poor can address several energy inequalities in the poor settlement