South Africa

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...
July 23, 2019
Production line for Solar Keymark-certified parabolic trough collectors

At the beginning of May, parabolic trough collector manufacturer Absolicon inaugurated a new, automated production line at its headquarters in Härnösand, Sweden. After the town’s mayor, Andreas Sjölander, had cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, attendees watched as a glass cover was...
May 22, 2019
SASEC 2019, East London

The University of Fort Hare will host the 6th Southern African Solar Energy Conference (SASEC), which will take place from 25 to 27 November 2019, at Mpekweni Beach Resort, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The conference will focus on both Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Energy technology...
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-...
April 1, 2019
Building regulations and electricity prices drive market

Budget constraints have cast considerable doubt on plans by the South African government to restart its solar water heater support scheme. Despite the setback, the solar thermal industry is optimistic in outlook because the country’s building regulations have been driving demand for SWH...
March 2, 2019
South Africa: Greatest SHIP potential in food and beverage

Food and beverage is the most important industry for solar process heat in South Africa, according to new research. Not only does it have by far the most demand for steam among all industries (see the chart), but it also showed a rise in production output over the last 15 years. It...
February 6, 2019
Southern Europe: A good place for SWH companies to do business

In 2018, solar water heater suppliers headquartered in Europe were more satisfied with sales than those not located on the continent. In all, 78 % of the former saw a strong or slight increase in sales volume last year compared to 2017. Elsewhere, the same was true for only 51 % of all...
January 4, 2019
Solar air-conditioning training for energy professionals

Around 40 attendees from Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe benefitted from a three-day training course on Solar Cooling and Air Conditioning at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, late last November. The course, aimed at solar energy professionals,...
November 8, 2018
Potential for solar-heated water at South African hospitals

The potential which solar hot water has for 696 public and private hospitals in South Africa has been the focus of a recent report by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature South Africa. The report’s authors, who work at Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy...
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...
August 26, 2018
Interbuild Africa 2020, Johannesburg

INTERBUILD AFRICA will take place from 29 July to 1 August 2020 at Expo Centre Nasrec, Johannesburg. The International Building and Construction Exhibition focuses on the latest developments in the extensive building services and construction area. From affordable housing products to civil...
August 16, 2018
Freely downloadable SHIP installation photos

Planning to hold a presentation on the solar process heat potential in your country? Thinking about posting news articles to your website? Just go to solar-payback.com, where you can find a photo gallery offering royalty-...