FEATURE
S D A E H R U O G N I GETT N U S E H T D N U O R A
Understanding solar energy’s response to Eskom
Load shedding seems to be here to stay, with some experts reporting that even when Medupe and Kusile power plants fully come on line, we still may be in a position where scheduled outages will be necessary. So, what is the solution? 30
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There are a few solutions, some fairly immediate, some which will provide a longer, more sustainable option to the South African market. Those of us with Zimbabwean mates, know the story (the smell and the noise) of generators – a quick, easy and effective way of rolling back the dark pall of Eskom’s load-shedding programme. An entry level 5KvA generator, able to light a house and run a few appliances, will set you back only a few thousand rand and is easily sourced at a local Builders Warehouse or Makro store.
Generators allow you a “plug and play” option, ensuring that you will have light as soon as you fill the tank and plug it into your main circuit. The drawback of the generator though is not only the awful racket it makes, nor just the fact that your neighbours may be taken on a chemical high from the fumes, the real drawback is a generator’s sustainability. These machines cost more to run in terms of rands per watt than what our dear friends from Eskom charge us – and with the fuel price about as consistent as a Bafana Bafana performance, this is
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“Quick! Boil the kettle! Charge the laptops and phones! Heat your food one last time!” These are the hysterical cries of every household in South Africa in the 10 minutes prior to scheduled loadshedding – a state of frantic existence that we have become used to.
