Around 100 households and businesses in Stellenbosch are currently using solar power systems as an alternative source of energy.
This was according to Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson of Stellenbosch Municipality.
There has been a noticeable increase in so-called Small Scale Embedded Generators (SSEG) systems since April, according to Ben Forrer, electrical engineer and business owner of Benergy Power Systems.
The solar panels on top of the Neelsie student centre. According to Ben Forrer, electrical engineer and business owner of Benergy Power Systems, residents or businesses that want to install solar power must consult a reputable solar company or a qualified electrical engineer. “The residence’s roof area, orientation, trees and shading impact is critical,” said Forrer. PHOTOS: Inge du Plessis
In the South African context, SSEG refers to a “generator with a maximum of 1 megawatt production capacity, and is installed by electricity customers on residential, commercial, agricultural or industrial properties”, according to a South African Local Government Association report from November 2020. Most SSEG systems in South Africa are solar photovoltaic systems, according to the report.
“The public is now realising the benefits of a well-designed, professionally installed SSEG system, […] as well as the long-term carbon reduction offset for future generations,” said Forrer.
Alternative energy sources are beneficial because they ensure the security of electricity supply, and green power is more sustainable, said Forrer. SSEG systems are also a hedge against inflation because when the system is installed, the home or business owner pays a fixed, stable unit rate for solar energy. This rate is unaffected by Eskom’s annual tariff increases, he added.
The need for alternative energy sources
Earlier this year, Stellenbosch Municipality announced that a memorandum of understanding between the municipality and research partners had been signed, to investigate the use of alternative energy sources in Stellenbosch.
The success of this project would make Stellenbosch the first municipality in South Africa to eliminate loadshedding, claimed Stellenbosch Municipality in a press release from 29 January.
A power generator with safety warnings in Stellenbosch Central. There has been an increase in solar power system installations, as a means of alternative energy supply, in Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Inge du Plessis
“Consultants have been appointed by the Western Cape Government, as part of their Municipal Energy Resilience Project, to assist identified municipalities with investigations into alternative sources,” said Grobbelaar in email correspondence with MatieMedia.
Stellenbosch Municipality is also in the process of conducting its own investigations to compile a report on alternative energy sources, based on the request for information (RFI) that went out to the public, according to Grobbelaar.
The RFI was sent out by the City of Cape Town to private and public sector financiers for proposals on low-cost renewable energy projects that will be owned and operated by the city, according to the City of Cape Town website.
“Several ideas and proposals were received, including solar panels, methane gas conversion at landfill sites and wind power. The feasibility and affordability of each of these proposals are now being interrogated,” said Grobbelaar.
A report and feasibility study on the various proposals will be presented to the mayoral council, before the end of 2021, he added.
Impact on the municipality
Renewable energy can be controversial in some municipalities. As municipalities may not need to sell electricity units from Eskom to the public anymore, they may lose out on a large part of their income, claimed Paul Hendler, the director of Insite, an organisation focused on sustainable human settlement.
“The charge of basic services is important for municipal income,” said Hendler.
Hendler is a resident of Stellenbosch. He switched to an SSEG system in April. Hendler told MatieMedia that he would have to wait until the end of the year to compare the financial and energy usage benefits of switching over to the SSEG system. His household currently uses an average of 16 units of energy per day.
The power inverter of an SSEG system belonging to Paul Hendler – the director of Insite, an organisation focused on sustainable human settlement – indicates the amount of electrical energy being imported from the grid. “The grid is the municipal or Eskom’s electrical supply system, delivering electrical energy to consumers [like residents]. The Small Scale Embedded Generators (SSEG) installation must receive an advanced metering system, from the municipality or Eskom, to facilitate importing electrical energy from the grid, or exporting electrical energy to the grid,” said Ben Forrer, electrical engineer and business owner of Benergy Power Systems. PHOTO: Inge du Plessis
“Water and electricity was the biggest item of revenue [for the 2018-2019 financial year] – bigger than property,” said Hendler, referring to Stellenbosch Municipality’s financial statement of 2018-2019.
However, Stellenbosch Municipality encourages the installation of alternative energy mechanisms, according to Grobbelaar. “More details on how this can be increased or encouraged, and possibly sold back into the grid, […] will be made available once the reports serve before Council,” he said, referring to the report and feasibility study that will be presented to the mayoral council before the end of the year.