Presentation by Ed Hill of Specialised Solar Systems at the CHOICES project community energy workshops in Somerset East, Pearston and Cookhouse communities, Blue Crane Route Municipality in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, held in February and March 2013. The presentation describes some solar power options for South African communities. More information about Specialised Solar Systems: http://www.specializedsolarsystems.co.za/ Further details of the CHOICES project: http://www.iied.org/choices-community-energy-project-south-africa

1. SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?

2. SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
Solar power systems are relatively expensive to buy individually.
In certain cases funding can be obtained from the Department of Energy for
installations where a large number are needed in an area (DoE Non-Grid
Electrification Policy Guidelines, 2012).
Among the criteria are that the area is not planned for grid connection within
3-5 years, it should not be within 2km of a grid and must be in the IDP.
Funding for ongoing service fees is also subsidized through the Free Basic
Electricity (Equitable Share) grant to Municipalities.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? - FUNDING

3. SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
The DoE will fund Solar Home Systems for farm dweller houses where there is
no grid (ESKOM) connection to a farm.
Some organizations may provide grant funding for SHS installations if it is in
line with their Corporate Social Responsibility charter or they are an energy
funder.
In some cases, low interest loans may be negotiated for purchase of SHS
systems.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? - FUNDING

4. SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
2.2.1.1 SPECIFICATIONS: BASELINE 1: 330Wh TR SYSTEM (Equivalent to NRS052 System A4)
This system provides a safe energy supply powering lights, cell-phone charger socket and an FM/AM
radio, with spare capacity for a 40cm colour TV, as well as a DVD Playerand even a satellite TV
decoder,which can be provided as part of the package or purchased separately by the consumer.
SYSTEM COMPONENTS AS SUPPLIED
DB Box with 20A input capacity, LED Voltmeter and management system, fused; 1
Battery box with fuse and cable; 1
75Wp Solar Panel and roof-mount bracket; 1
102Ah 12V high cycle battery, necessary cables and lugs; 1
External plug box for TV, Hi-Fi, radio and DVD; 1
3W Internal lights with cable and pull switches; 3
Outside light with motion sensor and cable; 1
Cell-phone charger socket; 1
12vdc FM/AM Radio with cable. 1
SYSTEM CAPACITY
PV panel minimum average daily energy output (Climate Zone A) at: 4.5 hrs/day
Average daily energy for 75Wp PV panel: 338 Wh
Total usable storage available in battery 1224 Wh
Maximum daily use as per table below is equal to: 317 Wh
At 80% Diversity Factor: 21% DOD
Battery Reserve for Bad Weather : 79%
[40cm LED Colour TV, DVD player, Satellite TV decoder, all adapted for 12vdc power, or
additional light kits, can be purchased by beneficiary]

5. SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
[40cm LED Colour TV, DVD player, Satellite TV decoder, all adapted for 12vdc power, or additional
light kits, can be purchased by beneficiary]
COMPONENT WATTAG
E PER
UNIT
NO.
OF
UNITS
HOURS
OF USE
PER DAY
WATT-
HOURS
PER DAY
Interior Switched LED Lamps 3 4 8 96
Exterior Motion Sensor Light 2.4 1 2 4.8
FM/AM Radio 3 1 10 30
Cellphone Charger 1.8 1 2 3.6
40cm Colour TV 22 1 6 132
DVD / Satellite TV Decoder 4 1 6 24
Management System 1.1 1 24 27
DAILY OUTPUT CAPABILITY

6. SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
Most SHS projects require a monthly fee to be paid by the consumer,
either to recover the balance of the cost of the system, or for ongoing
maintenance support (‘fee for service’).
In the ‘fee for service’ model, the system never belongs to the consumer, it is
only on loan, and the consumer pays for the benefit derived from it.
Specialized Solar Systems is working with the Sustainability Institute in
Stellenbosch on a Model of Implementation which empowers the community..
This model has numerous problems, especially the lack of ownership which
often leads to consumers not looking after the system.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? – MONTHLY PAYMENTS

7. SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
In this model, a member or members of the local community is/are nominated
by community leadership for training as an energy-spaza (E-Spaza) operator.
Each e-spaza operator becomes the service provider for 100 or more
consumers in their area.
Training includes technical aspects as well as entrepreneurship.
SSS MODEL OF IMPLEMENTATION

8. SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
The Energy Spaza operators will also be able to supplement their income by
providing services which may not be available at household level.
They would also sell additional appliances for the solar power systems,
as well as other appliances such as energy efficient cookers, LPG, etc.
Establishment of an Energy Spaza would not be funded by DoE, but would need
to be seen as a Local Economic Development component of a project.
This may include rental of cold storage space, rental of laptop, internet use and
e-mail service, sale of cold drinks, TV viewing, even hair-dressing.
SSS MODEL OF IMPLEMENTATION

9. SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
The Solar Power system would be owned by the consumer,
but a portion may need to be paid off over time.
Various methods of payment (token, ticket, cellphone banking, etc.) are being
researched, but a system for logging of customers and payments on an
internet-based system has already been developed.
A signal is sent to the system to switch on a flashing light to remind consumers
to pay their monthly fee.
A monthly fee would be charged for local access to maintenance and technical
support.
SSS MODEL OF IMPLEMENTATION

10. SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
The Model of Implementation will lead to stimulation of the local economy.
The model does not necessarily rely on DoE subsidy criteria,
i.e. Council can choose to implement in its own supply area.
The model can be adapted to suit local community requirements, funding is
the key.
There will be supervision of the model both at local level via community
leadership, as well as financial via the internet-based database.
SSS MODEL OF IMPLEMENTATION

11. SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
DANKIE
THANK YOU.
ENKOS'
SSS MODEL OF IMPLEMENTATION

12. A SPECIALIZED SOLAR SYSTEMS PRESENTATION.
Presented by Ed Hill
For further enquiries please contact us:
Tel: +27(0)44 878 1126
Web: www.specializedsolarsystems.co.za
Email: ed@specializedsolarsystems.co.za