ENERGY SAVING Alternative energy products can loosen Eskom’s grip – and save you money

WITH the ever-increasing cost of living, South Africans are well advised to consider avenues in which to save. One such avenue is investing in energy-saving products such as solar water heaters, rainwater and fresh water harvesting products as well as photovoltaic and battery back power solutions.

With the wide range of products and solutions currently available to the domestic market, it is now possible to convert your home so that you produce your own power for a part of your daily consumption – thus making your household less dependent on the grid, and in turn, reducing your electricity bill.

Solar Primeg, a leading alternative energy specialist with more than 20 years experience, advises that this can be done in a two-stage process. Battery back power The first stage in this conversion process is the use of battery back power. This system consists of a battery bank, which is charged by grid power via an inverter. In the event of loadshedding or a power failure, the stored power can be used to power essential appliances such as lights, alarm systems, gate motors and televisions. The battery bank can be charged during the day using the grid, and the stored power then used at night or during power cuts. Photovoltaic cells The second stage in the process involves the introduction of photovoltaic cells, which charge the battery bank using the sun’s energy – therefore making a household even less dependent on the grid and reducing its electricity bill even further.

Solar Primeg has been installing photovoltaic power solutions for bush camps and game reserves for many years. However, with the continuing electricity price hikes and the constraints to the national grid, the company is finding that more and more homeowners are considering this alternative energy route. “To avoid being left without this basic necessity and reduce their large electricity bills, it is imperative that all households should consider this solution,” advises the Solar Primeg team. Commercial sector solution For the commercial sector, Grid Tie inverters are strongly recommended. These are used during the day, thus taking the business’s daily power load off the grid. The system does not require a battery bank.

All photovoltaic cells in these products are 50 percent locally assembled by Solar Primeg. Energy conversion Once a homeowner’s energysaving and conversion system is sized correctly, it can by built up to eventually power more appliances or run for longer hours.

In order to maximise the energy efficiency of your home, it is strongly recommended that you switch any remaining “old” light bulbs to energy-saving ones and consider replacing your electric stove to a gas stove. Finally – and perhaps most importantly in terms of energy-saving – consider converting to a solar water heating system. The geyser is the biggest consumer of electrical energy in a household – and converting to a solar solution will yield considerable energy and cost savings.

Solar Primeg can assist with all these solutions – call 031 569 1044 or e-mail for further information.