This test certificate serves only as an indication of the quality of the system that was tested and it is only valid for 1 year.
An SABS test report relates only to the specific item tested. It does NOT imply SABS Mark approval of the quality and/or performance of the item. The test results also do not apply to any similar item that has not been tested.
SABS product certification mark approval is a voluntary scheme that entails an audit of the quality system at the applicant‘s manufacturing factory (e.g. ISO 9001).To maintain SABS mark approval acceptance, manufacturers have to have a full and valid test report and will have to submit samples for subsequent testing to demonstrate ongoing acceptance and conformance to the relevant specifications.
SABS mark approval gives a vastly better assurance of quality products. You should bear this in mind when making a decision about the price and longevity of products. SABS approval for solar water heating systems is not currently common in South Africa but is being pursued and more suppliers are expected to become SABS mark holders.
Be careful though – many suppliers claim SABS mark approval on their system when only their tank holds the mark approval. This does not mean that the system as a whole has been tested at all – this is illegal.
NOTE: Only manufacturers that are in possession of a valid and current SABS test report or SABS mark approval may take part in the Eskom incentive programme.
- Eskom has appointed facilitating auditors who are mandated to run the Solar Water Heating Programme.
- You are required to submit final invoices to Deloitte in order for a rebate to be processed.
- The rebate will be only paid if all documents are correctly filled in and all the required documentation is attached.
- The barcodes supplied by your supplier must also be affixed to your claim form.
- The claim form has detailed instructions to guide you. Should you have questions, the Eskom Solar Help Desk can always assist with any questions:
Call us on Tel: 011 800-4744.
Or click here to contact us
A technical audit team will contact a small selection of customers to set up a time to visit and check the installation. This process is to verify that installations are done correctly and that customers received the system they paid for.
In order to provide the savings incentive to customers Eskom has to prove to NERSA (National Energy Regulator of South Africa) that there is a sustainable reduction in energy use. Therefore selected homes will be chosen to have a monitoring system fitted on their solar water heaters. A database will be kept of the selected homes and you will be able to contact the call centre to confirm you are on the list, if you are approached.
Please note that this equipment will not affect your system. The measurement and verification of the programme is in place to ensure the programme’s longevity and that people properly benefit from the programme. These checks are compulsory if you choose to take part in the programme.
There are two main types of solar collectors:
- Flat-plate collectors
- Vacuum/evacuated tubes
There are various ways in which these two systems can work effectively for you. We suggest you look at the two types to understand how they function and why.
Your selection should be based on a combination of factors that can give you the best possible performance in your specific circumstances, and the best value for money.
Both variants are available in direct and indirect, pumped and thermosyphon applications. They can also be installed in a pre-heat configuration, where you make use of your existing geyser if you need added capacity.
Note: both systems are tested to the same national minimum standard.
A flat-plate collector has the following features:
- A cover (glazing) usually made of toughened glass.
- An absorber plate, coated with a high absorption and low emissive layer of black paint, black high-temperature paint or a special selective coating.
- A tube system made of the same or a similar material as the absorber plate, which transfers the absorbed heat to the tank.
- A casing that is both non-corrosive and waterproof. Insulation is needed on the back and sides to assist in maintaining the absorbed heat.
Flat-plate collectors have a good price/performance ratio, as well as a broad range of mounting possibilities (on the roof on a stand, or unattached).
Vacuum tube collectors have the following characteristics:
- The collector in this type of system comprised of individual glass tubes.
- These tubes are rigged in parallel with one another to make up the collector.
- When the tubes are exposed to high temperatures, the air inside them is forced out or ‘evacuated’. This evacuation of the air creates a vacuum effect and it is this vacuum effect that can make the tubes good insulators and effective at lower temperatures. This vacuum effect keeps the heat (hot water) inside the tube, while leaving the outside cool.
There are many different types of vacuum tubes, but generally heat pipes have a single layer of glass – whereas evacuated tubes have a double layer of glass.
Heat pipes and evacuated tube collectors both contain a special fluid which begins to vaporise at low temperatures. The fluid rises in the individual tubes and warms up the water in the main pipe by means of a heat exchanger. The condensed liquid then flows back into the base of the heat pipe.
Evacuated tubes work in much the same way as your electric geyser in terms of overflow. A safety valve opens to let out hot water when the water increases too much – which results in too high a pressure in the tank. If your system is not installed with extra piping to channel this water away, it will run down your roof and after a while you could see white streaks on your roof due to chemical build up. Though this is not a big issue, if you are concerned about this, we recommend that you speak to your supplier to advise you further.
