Can we in South Africa avoid the same problems found in Aus.

Can we in South Africa avoid the same problems found in Aus.

I always believe it is best to examine what is happening internationally, especially in countries that are years ahead of us in this solar thermal sector (basically everybody). This may help us predict what trends may slowly develop here in South Africa.

Solarthermalworld wanted to investigate why the Australian Government decided to discontinue its Solar Water Heater Rebate Programme and conducted an interview with Stephen Cranch, Sales and Marketing Manager of Solahart Industries Pty Ltd Australia.

Cranch provided a short overview of the current market and support scheme situation. Since 2005, the solar water heater expert has been part of the Solahart Team, an Australian flat plate collector and tank manufacturer. Before that, he had been General Marketing Manager at Heatcraft Australia, a major supplier for the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector.

Solarthermalworld: We have recently reported that the Federal Solar Water Heater (SWH) Rebate has been discontinued. What caused this abrupt end?

Cranch: There has been a lot of market turmoil here. Around September last year, the heat pump rebate was reduced to AUD 1,000, because people were installing for free and the market was massively overheated. As a result, REC prices plummeted, which made solar less attractive and the demand started to drop off. The peak for the SWH market was around June till November. In January, the New South Wales rebate was reduced from up to AUD 1,200 to AUD 300.

At the same time, the insulation program had been plagued with some real problems. And therefore, the Federal Government decided to suspend the program on 19 February 2010 and to reintroduce it in June this year. However, for SWHs, which as you know were part of the programme, a new scheme was immediately launched called the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme and the rebate amount reduced from AUD 1,600 to AUD 1,000, effective from 20 February 2010.

Solarthermalworld: In 2009, market volume almost doubled and reached its peak around June/July 2009. Was the market volume pushed by the Federal Solar Water Heater Rebate?

Cranch: In February 2009, the Federal Government increased the national solar hot water rebate from AUD 1,000 to AUD 1,600 and removed the requirement for means testing, which was previously only available to householders earning a combined income of AUD 100,000 or less. This was bundled up with free home insulation as part of the federal government stimulus package in the midst of the global financial crisis.

Solarthermalworld: Insulation and solar water heaters are not usually combined in one and the same incentive programme. How did that work?

Cranch: You could only claim the SWH rebate when replacing an electric water heater and proving that you had not had free insulation installed. For instance, householders could have free insulation up to AUD 1,600 or the AUD 1,600

SHW rebate. Insulation was provided free to householders without money changing hands, whereas with SWHs, the householder still had to pay the up-front cost and wait 2 to 3 months for the rebate to come back after sending the paperwork in.

This was on top of the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), which are linked to the 20 % renewable energy target by 2020. 1 REC is 1

MW of electricity generated or displaced over a 10-year period. The value of each REC is determined by market factors, for instance: the current value around 33 AUD/ REC, multiplied by the number of RECs per system – lets say 30 – is AUD 990. Additionally, some other state rebates where available, such as the New South Wales rebate, which was up to AUD 1,200. Those rebates and RECs are available for heat pumps and solar water heaters.

Solarthermalworld: How would you assess the current state of the SWH market?

Cranch: Now, it’s significantly down from the numbers in 2009. In summary, the market is a lot tougher now than 12 months ago. It peaked at around 200,000 SWH systems, including a large number of heat pumps, but has come back significantly from these numbers.The interview was conducted by communication specialist Hanna Schober based in South Africa.

The Southern African Alternative Energy Association (SAAEA) reports on issues

Relative to Climate Change and Alternative Energy.

French City Uses Sidewalks to Generate Power

City officials have announced that they’ll be installing power-generating tiles in the sidewalks in the city center for two weeks as a test run of using people power to create electricity.
The move is one of the latest in attempts by municipalities and companies to turn the basic elements of daily life into energy-generating activities, from revolving doors to workout equipment.
From a report in the GuardianAs part of wider efforts to put France’s south-western technology capital at the forefront of green wizardry, city authorities are testing out a scheme to generate electricity for street lights through the stamping feet of passers-by.
Designers say the section of eight custom-made modules placed in the city centre for a two-week trial period can produce between 50 and 60 watts of electricity to power a nearby street lamp.
It is the first time the modules — unveiled to the world by Dutch company Sustainable Dance Club (SDC) for use in nightclubs — have been tested on the street. For Alexandre Marciel, the city’s deputy mayor in charge of sustainable development, the new function is potentially ground-breaking.
The modules work by installing a generator that draws energy when compressed, as seen below in an image from Sustainable Dance Club.
The LEDs are optional for city use, though they might provide added incentive for pedestrians to stroll around the city center in Toulouse.
GreenBiz first reported on the energy-generating dance floor back in 2008, along side the news about a revolving door that creates electricity with each spin.
SDC’s power-generating dance floor tiles are also in use in Surya Club4Climate in London and at Club WATT in Rotterdam.
Southern African Alternative Energy Association (SAAEA) represents and actively promotes Renewable Alternative Energy Solutions in our region.

Renewable Energy Advances

Power Day event on Earth Day

Earth Day falls on Thursday, April 22, 2010 and it's the 40th Anniversary of the holiday. It's a great time to learn about our planet and how to take care of it!

A Power Day event, organised to highlight renewable energy and energy saving ideas, is being hosted by Diamantvallei.

Planned as a fun day to evaluate alternative energy options and tips on saving our planet at this oasis with fresh green lawn areas surrounded by large, leafy trees and lush plant borders should not be missed.

Diamantvallei is centrally located between Pretoria, Johannesburg, Kempton Park, Cullinan and Witbank.

A previous event hosted during 2008 for environmentally concerned citizens to be educated regarding available options to move away from fossil fuel generated power options, recent increases in electricity rates and concerns about the future of our planet, highlighted the need for another similar event.

A fun day is guaranteed as events include "potjiekos","pap en sous" bread and snacks prepared on sun ovens and energy saving stoves.

Products on show include solar hot water systems, solar/micro hydro electricity generating devices, wind turbines, cooking and heating systems, electric/hybrid vehicles and bikes, energy saving products, waterless toilets, composting worms etc.

Individuals are welcome to attend and introduce their innovative ideas (previous exhibitors products have since become realities).

Invited speakers will enlighten us on subjects relative to the subject of the day.

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EARTH DAY 22 APRIL