​South Africa can end load-shedding if it does the right things for a long time. This includes households and businesses reducing their reliance on Eskom’s electricity supply.

This is feedback from energy analyst Chris Yelland, who told Classic Business that, in the long term, if the country continues to reform the electricity industry, load-shedding will become a thing of the past.

While unplanned breakdowns — unplanned capacity loss factor (UCLF) — are down this year compared to the same period last year, this is offset by increased planned maintenance outages — planned capacity loss factor (PCLF).

Yelland explained that this means that the availability of the Eskom fleet — its energy availability factor (EAF) — this year is similar to that of the same period last year.

Despite the similar EAF, South Africa is experiencing less load-shedding this year than last year.

Lower demand is the reason for the reduced load-shedding. Simply put, businesses and households use less Eskom power.

“It is quite clear that demand for Eskom’s electricity is declining and has been for several years. This does not mean the country is using less electricity. It just means it is not coming from Eskom,” Yelland said.

This means that alternative sources of electricity, such as rooftop solar and commercial installations, supplement Eskom’s electricity generation.

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This reduces the need for electricity generated by Eskom and reduces its burden, enabling it to conduct more maintenance.

Simply put, households and businesses are replacing electricity generated by Eskom with power from their own alternative sources or private providers.

This trend is only set to accelerate as the cost of electricity from Eskom keeps rising, strengthening the business case for alternative sources of energy.

As a result, the utility finds itself in a debt spiral where it has to reinvent itself to compete with private players and relook at its business model.
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Sixteen retail stores under TiAuto’s banner have successfully transitioned to solar power in the first phase of their renewable energy initiative. This move is part of a comprehensive strategy to decrease the group’s reliance on Eskom and embrace sustainable energy sources.

As Phase 2 progresses, TiAuto aims to have all of its stores operating on solar energy within the next three years. TiAuto, the parent company of prominent automotive fitment centers like Tiger Wheel & Tyre, Tyres & More, and Treads Unlimited, has reported promising initial outcomes from the transition to solar power.

Notably, they have generated 498 MWh of clean energy on an annualized basis, curbed carbon dioxide emissions by 295 tons, and conserved the equivalent of 42,908 liters of oil. The total investment in solar energy by the group stands at R10 million.

Phase 1 of this endeavor encompassed solar installations across properties owned by TiAuto Investments, spanning 18 locations, including a significant installation at the company’s headquarters.

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In Phase 2, the focus shifts to retail properties leased from external landlords, necessitating more intricate negotiations and processes for solar system implementation.

Should TiAuto succeed in gaining approval from all landlords for solar installations, this initiative would expand to encompass an additional 73 sites, entailing an investment of approximately R37 million.

With plans to introduce around 15 new equity stores in the upcoming financial year, the total capital expenditure for Phase 2 is projected to reach R45 million.

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JSE-listed chemical conglomerate AECI has successfully implemented a 1 MW solar project at Chem Park, its AECI Chemicals production site in Johannesburg. This venture at Chem Park is the initial phase of a four-stage solar initiative sanctioned by the AECI executive committee in 2021.

The company’s ultimate goal is to establish a total solar capacity of 14.3 MW across selected AECI operational sites throughout South Africa. AECI’s commitment to its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) obligations and broader sustainability objectives drives this project.

By diminishing reliance on fossil fuels and curbing carbon emissions, the company aligns with its ESG strategy while reinforcing its capability to provide products and services to South African customers. Two more renewable energy facilities are set to become operational in the first quarter of 2024.

AECI Mining Chemicals in Sasolburg is preparing a 1.5 MW installation, while AECI Mining Explosives in Modderfontein will launch a 4 MW project.

According to AECI CEO Holger Riemensperger, both these sites are integral to the nation’s mining sector value chain. By reducing fossil fuel utilization, these initiatives positively impact the carbon footprint of the industry.
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In addressing the complexities of climate change, Riemensperger emphasizes that businesses must devise effective response strategies.

AECI remains steadfast in its commitment to adopting a greener operational approach and providing sustainable solutions for a better global environment.

The solar program encompasses four phases: Phase 1 focuses on solar electrification in key areas, Phase 2 scales up electrification to required capacities, Phase 3 evaluates battery storage and energy distribution, and Phase 4 transitions the company to green energy supply through photovoltaic electrolysis and green ammonia, utilizing available land resources.

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Financial services provider, First National Bank (FNB) of South Africa is taking a proactive step towards environmental sustainability and operational resilience by installing solar power systems at 100 branches across the country. This initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted services during load shedding and reduce the bank’s environmental impact.

FNB CEO Jacques Celliers emphasizes the bank’s commitment to renewable energy sources and positive environmental impact. He highlights that while most branches are already equipped with backup power solutions, transitioning to renewable energy aligns with their long-term vision for greener operations.

The project will begin in selected branches, including those in Mthatha, Bethlehem, Phuthaditjhaba, and Zeerust, and will be executed in phases to ensure a smooth transition for each location. The move reflects FNB’s dedication to lead by example, not only in customer service but also in environmental stewardship.

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Lee-Anne van Zyl, CEO of FNB Points of Presence, stresses the significance of branches in facilitating economic activities in local markets. Despite customers increasingly using digital channels, the bank aims to remain accessible to communities, making this solar installation initiative essential for the bank’s continued community support and engagement.

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​The combined shipment volume of the top four brands exceeded 108 GW, accounting for approximately 55% of the total market share.

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The accumulated shipment volume of the top 10 brands surpassed 168 GW, representing nearly 85% of the market share.

The ranking indicates a slight decrease in market share for both first-tier and second-tier brands compared to previous assessments. Analysts attribute this shift to integrated enterprises and second-tier brands offering early discounts to secure orders and gain a larger market share amidst declining industry prices.

The data collected for the top 20 solar PV module manufactuerers are estimated based on research of tender information, supply contracts and visits of suppliers. However, Solarbe plans to update the rankings after the release of semi-annual reports by listed companies in late August.

Based on Solarbe’s analysis and data shared by relevant companies, prominent manufacturers such as Trina Solar, TW Solar, LONGi, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, and GCL System Integration secured significant orders through state-owned enterprise tenders.

Additionally, companies like DAS Solar, Astronergy, and Suntech achieved noteworthy results. Moreover, Risen Energy, DAH Solar, and ZNShine Solar actively expanded their presence in overseas markets, with over 60% of their sales originating from international markets, thereby ensuring stability in their overall performance and profits.

Significantly, n-type modules have emerged as the preferred choice for an increasing number of customers.

In tenders conducted by China’s state-owned enterprises, the proportion of n-type modules has exceeded 40%, with some even reaching 50%.

Data provided by companies reveals that the shipment volumes of n-type modules from Jinko Solar, Astronergy and DAS Solar in the first half of this year were all above 40%. Apart from these companies, Eging PV, DAH Solar and Suntech have set targets of more than 45% for n-type module shipments this year.

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South Africa’s major metros are jumping on the solar feed-in bandwagon, with eThekwini Municipality and the City of Johannesburg announcing tariffs to sell power back to the grid.

They join the City of Cape Town, which has offered the ability to sell self-generated electricity to the grid since June 2023.

MyBroadband asked the City of Johannesburg, the City of Tshwane, and eThekwini Municipality how much they would pay customers to sell power back to the grid.

The City of Johannesburg’s local power utility — City Power — announced new electricity tariffs in early July, and it stated that it would implement a feed-in tariff for solar power users.

“For alternative energy tariffs, City Power is working on implementing a feed-in tariff, where customers with PV solar systems can feedback their excess power to the grid and reduce their monthly electricity bill,” it said.

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“Residential embedded generator is approved for 85.50 c/kWh and for business and LPU embedded generator (<=1 MW) is approved for 70.85 c/kWh.”

However, it didn’t specify when the feed-in tariffs would take effect.

Lindiwe Khuzwayo, head of communication at eThekwini Municipality, told MyBroadband that it would let customers who don’t use all of their self-generated energy sell it back into the grid.

“The City has created a suite of net billing tariffs targeted at residential, businesses and industrial customers,” she said.

“Customers that do not utilize all their self-generated energy can now export it back into the grid.”

Customers must apply at one of the eThekwini Municipality’s Customer Service Centres to qualify.

“Once the application has been received, the city conducts the necessary technical evaluation, then proceeds with approvals for the customer to feed into the grid and be compensated on their municipal bill,” said Khuzwayo.

“Interested customers can visit the municipal website for more information on these specific tariffs.”

However, we could not find these specific tariffs on the eThekwini Municipal website.

The City of Tshwane didn’t provide feedback by the time of publication.

Win for rooftop solar in Cape Town
In June 2023, City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for energy Beverley van Reenen said residents who use their solar installations before getting municipal approval wouldn’t be fined, provided they have started their application.

This came after installers operating in the metro complained that Cape Town had a months-long backlog of applications for rooftop solar and that residents without approval face R5,000–R7,000 fines.

“All solar PV systems installed within the city’s electricity supply area must be authorized by the city. Residents will not be fined if they can prove they have started the application process,” said Van Reenen.

She added that the city had adjusted its approval process to speed things up.

“From October 2023, all SSEG applications at the City of Cape Town will be treated as grid-tied systems. This means that all systems need a City-approved inverter and professional sign-off,” Van Reenen stated.

“An approved inverter means quicker authorization.”

A few weeks earlier, the City of Cape Town announced plans to slash its AMI meter administration fee — the monthly fee to use the meter necessary to feed power back to the grid — for the 2023/24 financial year.

Van Reenen told MyBroadband that the metro would reduce the fee to R5.66 from R96.20 per month.

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