Energy revolution not far off

Executive predicts shift to renewable sources like solar and Powerwall

BETWEEN a looming increase in electricity tariffs and the decreasing cost of solar alternatives, South Africa’s energy revolution may be around the corner.

This is the prediction from Rubicon sales director Greg Blandford, who has seen the demand for renewable energy sources firsthand through the company’s sales of the Tesla Powerwall system.

South African-born Elon Musk is chief executive of Tesla.

The Powerwall is a lithium ion battery attached to a solar energy system as an alternative energy source.

Since being named the official South African distributor of Powerwall, this Bay company – with branches in Cape Town, Johannesburg and East London – has already received 100 pre-orders for the Powerwall 2, which arrives in the country early next year.

Another 100 units of its predecessor, the Powerwall 1, were also sold by the company throughout South Africa.

“We initially procured 100 Powerwall units, which arrived in early 2016,” Blandford said.

“These were sold nationally and some to a client in Europe.

“The South African market’s appetite for Powerwall diminished significantly as power supply from Eskom became more stable, [but] the launch of Powerwall 2 saw a renewed interest.”

Most of the installations, performed by 36 registered Tesla Powerwall installers nationally, were in Cape Town, with Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth next.

“Approximately 10% of the sales were done in [the Bay]. Energy storage products are by their nature expensive.

“We have, however, tried to pass on the best possible pricing to the [local] market.”

According to Blandford, the Powerwall costs about $6 000 (just over R78 000), with installation costs ranging from $1 000 to $1 500 (about R13 000 to R19 500).

“In South Africa, we estimate the pricing with installation to be slightly higher than the US figures, but not by much.

“We have been working with installers on keeping the cost as low as possible so as to make the solution more affordable to a broader sector of the market.”

Despite the initial costs, Blandford predicts consumer investment in renewable energy sources will rise due to the benefits of being independent from the national power grid.

“We are heading towards the fourth industrial revolution, which will change the way we interact with our environment and energy needs,” he said.

“A combined solution with solar power would take most homeowners off the grid completely.

“In simple terms, a correctly sized solar system installed on a roof would produce enough energy to supply a home with power during the day and at the same time charge the Tesla Powerwall.

“The stored energy in the Powerwall would then be used at night by the home and no power would be consumed from the grid.

“The world is heading in this direction very quickly and we will see a shift in energy usage in South Africa sooner than most think.”