Holms and Friends

August 28, 2019
Carbon tax in force but few have to pay

The South African carbon tax was finally implemented on 1 June 2019 after there had been several public consultations and delays over the last years. According to the new Carbon Tax Act, the rate will be South African Rand (ZAR) 120 per tonne of carbon dioxide in the first phase, until...
May 22, 2019
First SDH system in Sub-Saharan Africa

On 15 May, the Austrian Ambassador to South Africa inaugurated two landmark projects that had received support from SOLTRAIN, the Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative, during planning and installation. One became the first solar district heating plant in Sub-...
September 4, 2018
ESCO model grows in popularity in South Africa

“Our clients are cash flow positive from day one,” South African company Energy Partners claims on its website. Up until now, it has been offering heat and steam purchase agreements, mainly on coal boilers, to industrial and public customers. “Purchase contracts for solar heat in...
February 1, 2015
South Africa: Building Regulation Not Applied as Intended

Extended South African National Standard SANS10400 XA, Energy Usage in Buildings, is the big hope of the country’s solar thermal system suppliers. Part XA 2, which was added to SANS 10400 in...
December 13, 2013
South Africa: Ekurhuleni – Pioneering Solar Thermal City

It pays off to go green! No municipality in South Africa knows this better than the city of Ekurhuleni, which has recently been awarded the first prize in the national Greenest Municipality Competition and took home prize money amounting to South African Rand (ZAR) 3.5 million (EUR 248,...
May 16, 2012
SOLTRAIN: Free Solar Heating Systems for Social Institutions

Two solar water heating systems – one at an old people’s home and the other at an orphanage (photo) – started operating this March thanks to an initiative by SESSA members Holms and Friends, and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). Together with another system completed last year, the...
April 12, 2012
South Africa: University of Pretoria’s 672 m² Solar Thermal System

The University of Pretoria is extending its Onderstepoort campus and this extension also includes a 672 m² solar thermal system. The system provides warm water to the new energy-efficient flats accommodating a total of 550 students. Onderstepoort - or OP, as it is commonly known - is...