Go Off-Grid with Solar PV!
During the past few decades, many countries have adopted policies to encourage the rapid adoption of
renewable electricity generation and to help to reduce the carbon footprint of our electricity consumption.
South Africa is following this trend with some delay and has set targets for large scale renewable energy in
the Integrated Resource Plan to be implemented before 2030.
I believe - due to increasing electricity tariffs and reduced prices for Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV) systems -
that small scale electricity generation at the customer’s end make more and more sense for residential and
commercial users.
However, to implement small scale Solar PV, different approaches can be applied. I have identified three
main different ones: (1) off-grid solutions, (2) grid-tied solutions with net metering and (3) grid-tied with a
Feed-In Tariff policy.
In this write-up I’ll try to shed a light on the different technical solutions available and on the current legal
framework for such systems in South Africa.
What legal situation do we have in South Africa for grid-tied small scale residential
Solar PV today?
- Today grid-tied residential small scale Solar PV systems in South Africa are sadly ILLEGAL!
(I will use the example of the City of Cape Town and assume that other municipalities are in a similar
position). City of Cape Town has developed its own application form:
- Find the application form at CoCT’s homepage: Click here. Or download the form.
- On SAPVIA’s homepage you will find the Electrical requirements for Embedded Generation, also
issued by CoCT, but not available on the city’s website. Dated with 29th July 2011.
This legislation makes it practically impossible to install a grid-tied Solar PV system legally in South Africa.
BUT: Things are changing! The City of Cape Town has set specific targets in the Energy and Climate Change
Strategy (2005), where one of the key targets is:
- Renewable energy to comprise 10% of total city energy consumed by 2020.
With this the CoCT has created some momentum for action. NERSA has received requests from the CoCT
and Nelson Mandela Bay to clarify and to give guidance on this matter. In September 2011 NERSA
published its requirements and decision for small scale (<100kW) embedded generation within municipal
boundaries. NERSA concludes that the decision will facilitate the orderly and sustainable development of
the industry! Now it’s the municipalities turn to create the necessary framework to actually implement the
decision.
From the City of Cape Town I know that a pilot project for Net metering is on its way – with three
households participating – however no information is available yet in the public space.
I am really excited about this recent development and will report on this blog how the things are going,
including a case study from one of the pioneering participants!
For those who are keen to get going and don’t want to wait until the pilot project result on Net Metering
finds its way into municipal by-laws – which may take some time – I ask:
Who needs grid-tied? Get started with an off-grid system!
Yes, grid-tied might have some advantages over off-grid, like using the grid as backup/storage and that a
Solar PV system could be synchronised to the grid’s electricity and augment the grid supply, which would
allow you not to change anything in your electricity circuits and use all your lights and appliances as they
are. But off-grid is cheaper, simpler and you can get going with a really small system just supplying some
lights in and around your house.
Just one more explanation before looking deeper into the matter:
- AC stands for alternating current, usually provided in 1-phase or 3-phases by ESKOM or the
municipality to your premises.
- DC stands for direct current as it is supplied e.g. from any battery (like that in your car), Solar PV
systems also deliver DC, which than can be used to charge a battery, power special DC lights (CFLs or
LEDs) and so on or it is converted to AC to power everything else too.
- Actually much of our electric equipment and appliances run on DC! We always convert grid-AC into
DC – with some losses... Think about all adapters and chargers for phones, laptops,etc. which do
exactly this – converting AC into DC. Looks like a great potential for DC-systems instead of AC, or?
Solar PV off-grid solutions. What does this mean?
A Solar PV system and supplied electric circuits and appliances which are NOT connected in any way with
electric circuits supplied through the ESKOM or the municipality grid. Some examples:
- A Solar PV system which charges one or more batteries and which is supplying a number of DC LED or
CFL lights and provide e.g. a 12V-DC plug for a phone charger. Such systems are often called “Solar
Home systems” and are widely used in rural off-grid areas to provide electric lights and help to get
rid of the air polluting and dangerous paraffin or kerosene lamps. But - any small or big residential
building or office can do likewise! This is not a solution for poor households only, it is a solution for
smart people, who like to be independent and save money - and carbon!
- A Solar PV system without batteries, which directly run pool pumps or borehole pumps. A smart and
hugely energy saving solution for dwellings, which not only provide a roof and four walls for the
residents.
- A Solar PV system may also contribute to charge your future electric car.
- Basic components of such systems are: Solar PV panels, battery charger, batteries, wiring, metal
frames or brackets to fix panels on the roof – north facing, about 35 degrees tilted and without
shading from neighbouring buildings or near big trees. In case you convert DC to AC you will have to
install an inverter too.
COSTS: Small useful systems including a battery will cost you about 2-3 grand, which will power a small
number of CFLs or LEDs. To power all lights (CFLs or LEDs) in a 3 bed-room house the cost will not be more
than the giant flat TV you bought recently for the soccer world cup! Let’s say something around or below
10 grand! And to get your complete residence comfortably off-grid you would need to consider
investments above 100 grand.
LIFETIME and MAINTENANCE: Solar panels will last for 30-40 years, electronics and batteries should last up
to 10 years. Maintenance free batteries ensure that the maintenance is kept to an absolute minimum,
which usually should not go beyond a regular check for loose connections and cleaning of the panels once a
year.
Do off-grid solutions need permission?
In principle NOPE. As long as you do not connect to ESKOM’s grid you can do whatever you want (almost)!
However, design and installation should be carried out by professionals (the definition for a professional is
wide – check this out: Barefoot college). Make sure you understand the system – it’s simple, I promise! And
know how to maintain it, but as the Asian and African female barefoot engineers prove – even you can do
it! In South Africa it would be wise to at least get a CoC (Certificate of Compliance) from a professional
electrician. Just in case.
The legal background for this can be found in the Electricity Regulation Act (July 2006), where Schedule 2
stipulates:
EXEMPTION FROM OBLIGATION TO APPLY FOR AND HOLD A LICENCE
1. Any generation plant constructed and operated for demonstration purposes only and not
connected to an inter connected power supply
2. Any generation plant constructed and operated for own use
3. Non-grid connected supply of electricity except for commercial use
Before going off-grid and invest money into energy-supply I strongly recommend that you think about
your behaviour of energy consumption, where smart and simple solutions can help you to reduce your
costs from today:
I need to point out that the cheapest way to reduce your electricity costs and decrease your carbon
footprint is - to save energy! – And there are many options – from no cost, low cost to medium and high
cost options – all with reasonable pay-back times, just a few examples:
- Switch off the lights when leaving the room and switch off electrical appliances when not in use –
watch out for electricity vampires!
- Reduce the temperature at your hot water geyser.
- Use a hotbox or a wonder-bag for cooking.
- Insulate the geyser with a blanket and the hot water pipes.
- Install a water saving shower head.
- Install a Solar Water Heater or a Heat Pump (in case you live in a rainy region or don’t need hot water
all year round).
- Replace light bulbs and tubes with CFL or LED-lighting.
- Use the washing line for drying your clothes – it’s the cheapest and most environmentally friendly
technology ever invented for doing exactly that – drying clothes!
- Think about fuel switching for cooking and space heating – from electricity to LPG, biogas or biomass.
The fuel switch to LPG might not reduce your energy costs, but definitely reduces your carbon
footprint!
- Procure appliances, like fridges, freezers, dish-washers, TVs, computers, printers and other electric
equipment bearing in mind the electricity consumption and choose those which use less energy! –
And never let them run on stand-by mode.
- Improve the building envelope, like ceiling insulation and sealing off gaps around windows and doors.
Consider the above (and many more no- and low cost options exist) before even thinking about supplying
your household or company with electricity from a renewable source!
Some sources for the above from Project 90’s website:
- For homes: Our Interactive house toolkit: Click here.
- For offices: Green your office toolkit and Online Office Audit Toolkit: Click here.
Other sources:
- Smart Living Handbook from the City of Cape Town: Download it from here.
- ESKOM’s Integrated Demand Management website offers loads of information: Click here.
Take the lead. Save energy and go solar!
Robert Fischer
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Consultant
February 2012
