did you know?

That the most advanced PV design to date is by a South African, Professor Vivian Alberts of University Johannesburg. Read more facts here

newsletter

Subscribe to our free Newsletter and stay informed of what is happening in the industry. This is a sent out every two months.

survey

Take our survey and help us colate important information to get you the best solution to your household solar efficiency problems.

how does it work?

For those interested in the way things work, this will provide some interesting reading and background knowledge on solar energy.

solar pool heating

Enhance your pool and extend your swimming hours and season with a heated pool system.

water harvesting - (grey water)

A little off the subject of solar, but still on the one of greening, take a look at ideas to harvest and efficiently utilise water in your household

energy saving tips

Become more green, even if it is in baby steps. Learn some useful tips and tricks to save you money around the house. Everything counts you know.

interesting & useful links

Here are some links you might find handy if you are looking to learn more around the subject of solar energy, what's happening, other uses and more.

while you are at it

Take a look at these other energy saving devices, as they will collectively make you more green.

 

solar gallery - the main ingredients

solar solutions

The regular household will require minimally a thermal geyser, a solar water heating (vacuum tubes), with optional photovoltaic (PV) solar electricity - although the latter is not currently financially viable.

solar geysers

Solar technologies are categorized into two main parts; Active Solar and Passive Solar. Active solar technology includes things like photovoltaics, parabolics, or solar collectors used for water heating and/or cooking. Basically, anything that uses man-made electronic or mechanical equipment is active solar. Passive solar includes sun rooms, skylights and similar architectural concepts which utilize the sun for heating and lighting. Both active and passive solar technologies are used today.



READ MORE

 

solar water heaters

Solar technologies are categorized into two main parts; Active Solar and Passive Solar. Active solar technology includes things like photovoltaics, parabolics, or solar collectors used for water heating and/or cooking. Basically, anything that uses man-made electronic or mechanical equipment is active solar. Passive solar includes sun rooms, skylights and similar architectural concepts which utilize the sun for heating and lighting. Both active and passive solar technologies are used today.


READ MORE

 

shower heads

This is one small way to help out our planet, and save water, as this on the whole is a small money saver in itself. But then again, does is it have to be about money saving all the time? Consider the national impact if every household could save about 30 000 litres of water per year this way. This is not to be underestimated.


READ MORE

 

things to think about - a glimpse

shows heads | history of solar | PV - photovoltaic | how does it work | water harvesting | water heaters - vacuum tubes | pool heaters | solar geysers | retrofitting | overview of solar | links to interesting sites | make an appointment | tips and tricks

advantages of solar power

  • As the sun provides limitless light radiation, the source of solar energy is fully renewable
  • Once solar panels are set up, there are no electrical costs associated with powering them
  • Solar panels require very little maintenance because they lack moving parts

disadvantages of solar power

  • Capital Costs associated with the setup of solar panels generally very high, although declining with technological improvement
  • Solar power can only be utilized in a realistic manner where abundant sunshine is present
  • Although the production of energy itself does not use fossil fuels, oftentimes fossil fuels are used to produce the materials in solar panels.  However, new technologies are emerging that decrease or even eliminate the use of fossil fuels in solar panels
  • Large scale farms can disturb the ecosystems of local animals

solar power outlook

Solar power is an emerging technology that is becoming more and more viable as R&D improves technology and availability, thus, lowering associated costs.  Currently, solar energy covers only 0.01% of the total global energy demand, but the use of solar energy has grown at an annual rate of roughly 15% over each of the past 15 years.  Solar panels are still relatively expensive and, even with rebate incentives, still remain unfriendly to the wallet.  The recent trends, however, suggest that solar energy is a very promising form of energy if the future that, used in combination with other renewable sources of energy, can solve many of the world's energy issues.

 

READ MORE