Eskom lights up solar profits

Johannesburg - Solar power providers have their hands full due to growing electricity supply woes and anxieties over the projected Eskom tariff hike, suppliers said on Thursday.

"Every time Eskom opens its mouth, people's interests in solar energy are rejuvenated," Glen Macdonald, owner of Sunpower in Strijdom Park, Johannesburg said.

"We now receive up to 10 calls a day from people interested in switching to solar energy, however, not many people know how much of a change it is. Switching to solar is a big process which people don't realise. we as solar providers are not complaining though."

Teljoy, which rents out television sets, entered the solar industry about two years ago. Business was initially slow, but it now dealt with more than 300 enquiries daily since Eskom's announcement of a proposed 45% increase each year for three years.

"Since the announcement, more and more home owners are opting to seek viable alternatives, and it seems that solar power is the way to go," Theo Rutstein, chairperson of the Teljoy group said.

On the other hand, even though people thought it a good idea "to go solar", few were prepared to dig into their pockets, he said.

"[By installing a solar system now], you will save well over R125 000 over the next 10 years, if the price hike is approved."

Rutstein said many of the new customers were people in their mid-to late 50s concerned about the cost of electricity post-retirement.

Solaraza, based in Cape Town, said many people were searching for solar geysers. "The influx is so great, that I think providers are finding it difficult to close many deals," managing director Dane Spear told Sapa.

Solaraza specialises in solar geysers, which cost between R12 000 and R16 000.

"People still have a lot of fishing around to do before switching to solar power, as there are different levels of products," Spear said.

Downturn since load shedding

Ray Fernandez, national sales manager for Solahart, an importer which provides solar systems to 45 distributors countrywide, said sales had picked up over the past four months, "but definitely not as much as when we were battling with load shedding".

"We have had a distinct increase in sales, and are expecting it to increase further. However to date, it has not been as vast as last year March when we were hit with load shedding," Fernandez said.

Eskom has promised a subsidy to any household which switches to solar power.

In a statement it said: "Home owners who purchase a solar system from an Eskom accredited supplier will receive the rebate directly into their bank accounts after they have claimed it."

- Sapa