News on Eskom’s residential mass roll out, which saw the roll out of free energy efficient technologies to homeowners in a pilot phase earlier this year, follows.

The second phase of this programme has been cancelled. One supplier however, Karebo Systems, did successfully obtain a contract and is going to roll out until Dec 2012. Preparation are underway to ready the third phase of RMR, tender documents and processes are being finalised and once ready will be made available on the Eskom tender bulletin on the Eskom website. (not Eskom IDM website).

As soon as the third phase for the programme is open, a call for tenders will be done, using tender advertisements in the media.

What is the programme about?

The government has set a target for renewable energy to contribute 10 000 giga watt hours (GWh) of final energy consumption by 2013. Solar water heating could contribute up to 23% towards this target.

Solar power is one of the most effective renewable energy sources available. By implementing it in water heating, we can target one of the most power-intensive household activities for maximum power saving effect.

To actively encourage and promote the widespread implementation of solar water heating, Eskom has rolled out a large-scale solar water heating programme. This programme will assist you when buying an SABS tested solar water heater to replace your conventional geyser.

In addition to the rebate that you will receive upon installation of solar water heating, many insurance companies are now allowing you to put your claim value towards a solar system or are offering solar water heaters as replacement in the event of a burst geyser.

• Solar Water Heating suppliers list

*Note to potential solar buyers – please be sure to check back on this website regularly to ensure that your chosen supplier is still registered on the programme, as suppliers are de-registered from time to time.*

Eskom urges homeowners to service their solar water heating systems twice a year following change to SABS standard.

Homeowners who have installed solar water heaters with mechanical dump valves are urged by Eskom to service their systems at least twice a year to ensure they are protected against frost and freezing.

Homeowners looking to install a new solar water heating system are advised to make sure a mechanical dump valve is not used when their system is installed.

This follows a recent update to the South African Bureau of Standards’ (SABS) standard for solar water heating system installations. The updated version, South African National Standards (SANS) 1307, indicates mechanical dumps valves do not have adequate freeze protection and could be at risk of failing or becoming unsafe. The use of mechanical dump valves in solar water heating system installations is now prohibited by the SABS.

Andrew Etzinger, Senior General Manager, Integrated Demand Management department, Eskom, said: “Although certain systems that use the mechanical dump valve passed the SABS freeze test, they do not provide adequate freeze protection if they have been incorrectly installed, are exposed to chlorine build-up, or are not correctly maintained.

“Homeowners who have already installed systems that use the mechanical dump valves need to ensure frequent maintenance is carried out; these systems must be serviced by a qualified technician at least twice a year. If regular, twice annual, maintenance is carried out, there is no cause for concern over the safety and performance of these systems.

“Homeowners should check with their installers whether a mechanical dump valve was used in their installations; it is also important for people who are considering installing a solar water heating system to be aware of the new SABS standard and ensure a mechanical dump valve is not used,” said Etzinger.

All installers registered with Eskom’s rebate programme for solar water heating systems have been advised of the update to SANS 1307, and will not be permitted to use mechanical dump valves in any future installation. Only systems that have passed SABS testing and comply with SANS 1307 for safety, and thermal and mechanical performance, qualify for the Eskom Rebate Programme.

Any South African citizen can apply for a discount on the purchase of a solar water heating system through Eskom’s rebate programme for the homeowner; to qualify for a rebate, homeowners must purchase an SABS-approved system from an installer accredited with Eskom’s rebate programme.

Detailed information is available on this page under “Solar water heating supplier list”.

Important information concerning Eskom’s Solar Water Heating rebate programme
A rebate programme for the installation of Solar Water Heaters (SWH’s) was introduced in 2008 to encourage South Africans to switch to solar water heating. In so doing, homeowners reduce their water heating costs, reduce pressure on the national electricity grid and reduce pressure on the environment associated with coal fired power stations.

The ‘low pressure’ rebate programme is being wound down in favour of a contractual route in which a ‘mass roll out’ of SWH’s will be undertaken in designated areas. Under the rebate programme the areas for installation are decided by the installer and are not pre-determined by the Department of Energy, Eskom or the Municipality. Under the contracts programme, the DOE and municipalities will identify areas within which system installations are to be undertaken. The contract programme is expected to commence in June 2013.

As part of the low pressure rebate winding down process, participating installers will have until the end of May 2013 to install 250 low pressure SWH’s in homes with electric geysers. It is very important to note that a strict process is to be followed when applying for, and installing, the Solar Water Heaters. The process may be summarised as follows:

• Participating installers approach home owners to establish interest in having a Solar Water Heater installed
• A list of homes on which SWH are to be installed is submitted to Eskom’s Solar Water Heating department

Submissions are considered, and participants are given approval in writing to install a specific number of systems. In order to wind down the rebate programme, no approvals are signed off after 28 February 2013. A further month’s grace period, to 31 March, is however given to companies having at least 51% Black Women Ownership or 51% Black Youth Ownership

All approved installations are to be completed by 31 May 2013 and all claims must reach Deloitte offices by 14 June 2013 at 5PM. Claim forms must be addressed to: Eskom SWH Rebate Programme – LP Geyser replacement programme. GPS coordinates of installed systems must be included on the rebate claim forms

For more information please contact the Solar Water Heating team at the contact details below:

The Department of Energy and Eskom reserve the right to amend the SWH programme rules from time to time as is deemed necessary.
The high pressure SWH rebate programme will remain unchanged until further notice.

Below is a quick step-by-step guide to choosing a supplier and a system, and getting a rebate:

1. Go to our Supplier page to see which suppliers and products are registered with the programme.
2. Contact a supplier in your area.
3. Have them recommend a system to you, based on your home, family size, usage patterns, location and budget.
4. Confirm that the system you choose will qualify for a rebate (not all systems being sold by suppliers will).
5. Follow the normal sales procedure with your chosen supplier.
6. Ensure your old electric geyser is disabled.
7. Complete and sign the required documentation.
8. Submit the required rebate forms in the supplied envelope to the facilitating auditors.
9. You will receive SMS progress reports on your claim.

In order to assist you further in choosing a solar water heating system as well as a registered installer, we have also provided a system choice checklist:

• Click here to view the checklist.

Click here to go to the supplier database with all registered supplier details.

Customers who have complaints can also direct or send their queries to the solar industry ombudsman on email ombudsman@sessa.org.za

*Note to potential solar buyers – please be sure to check back on this website regularly to ensure that your chosen supplier is still registered on the programme, as suppliers are de-registered from time to time.*

When you install your solar water heater you will receive a rebate from ESKOM. We are using an international best practice model for rebates where you pay the full installation price and claim back the rebate amount from the facilitating auditors.
To claim your rebate, all you need to do is submit a claim form; provided to you by your registered supplier/installer. Note that in order to claim a rebate you must install a registered system and use a registered installer.

Both you and the supplier must complete the claim form and it must be signed off by a qualified electrician. You submit your claim to the programme facilitating auditors that oversee the payments. You can either post it or drop it in designated drop-boxes at Deloitte offices. You will receive your rebate within 8 weeks of receipt of your completed claim.You can read more on how the rebate system works here.

How the rebate is calculated:
Each system tested by the SABS receives a system rating (Q-factor), which indicates the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity it is expected to save on a typical day (as determined by the SABS test). All solar water heating systems included in the programme have a SABS thermal test report indicating the system’s ability to produce hot water. The rebate is calculated based on these test results – but it also takes into account the affordability of systems and attempts to provide consumers with a five year payback period.

The (rebate formulae) calculation factors in the prime interest rate and projected electricity tariff increases. This formula allows one to compare same-sized systems to each other – based on consumption assumptions. Please note that the rebate value will be reduced at the start of each new year, based on market influences.

Only high quality solar water heating systems have been approved for installation as part of the programme. The system must have a SABS conformity certificate and full test reports on its thermal capabilities and its mechanical and safety soundness. It must be installed according to predetermined conditions.

To screen possible unscrupulous suppliers from the programme, Eskom has appointed facilitating auditors to audit registered suppliers.

The minimum guarantee that suppliers on this programme offer, is 5 years. Some suppliers might have longer guarantees on certain components of their systems; you will need to discuss this with your supplier, although this will not affect the length of the overall system guarantee.

Please Note that suppliers must issue you with their guarantee certificate and conditions, operation and maintenance plan when they install your system.

Step by step guide to choosing a solar water heating system

*Dear ESCO’s please note that the Aggregated Standard Product (ASP) is now open till Dec 2012 and call for proposals has begun thank you*

Aggregated Standard Product programme

For industrial, commercial and agricultural business owners

Eskom is offering another funding option under the existing Standard Product programme namely the Aggregated Standard Offer programme. This offer is exciting and will afford the industrial, commercial and energy intensive agricultural sectors of the market the wonderful opportunity, to have installed, at a rebated amount, a list of approved energy saving technologies.

Watch this space! This programme is brand new, and as soon as Eskom has awarded contracts to project developers, their project offers plus the details of their specific roll outs and geographic footprint will be posted here.

Eskom intends this programme to operate until December 2015 or while funds last so industrialists, commercial sites and energy intensive agricultural facilities are encouraged to enquire how you can get the benefit of this programme via registered project developers.

The programme, as with the Standard Product, still has technical, commercial and financial requirements. Technical auditors will do checks on installations at certain sites and energy savings will still have be independently audited by NERSA approved measurement and verification teams. Technologies offered for rebate have to abide with a minimum technical specification provided, in line with local or international product standards and must be accompanied with relevant supplier guarantee/ replacement warrantees.

Any company interested to being part of an aggregated standard product project can e mail standardproduct@eskom.co.za for information. (To facilitate the rapid response to your reply, please put the words “aggregated standard product” in the subject line of your e mail.

For the project developer

Under the banner of the already established Standard Product funding mechanism, the Aggregated Standard Product programme will afford you, the registered Esco/project developer, the opportunity to bring a basket of individual projects (of less than 100kW each), making up a project that has a combined basket total of 1MW to 5MW, to Eskom via a simple approval process.

This programme will enable you to use the new aggregated standard product toolkit and take a financial assistance offer to the commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors of the market, and in so doing, stimulate the bulk replacement of approved standard product technologies.

Potential project developers who are Eskom vendors, are financially able to cash flow their proposed projects and who are willing to propose targets for the localisation of their contract spend, skills development, and job creation are welcome to apply to register projects under this Aggregated Standard Product programme. Once a project developer has provided all his details, including the commercial documents such as shareholders and directorships, tax clearance, skills development and financial stability a short process of approval puts them on the road to implementation.

If you are an Esco or a potential project developer and would like to know more, please review the easy to follow Aggregated Standard Product programme “How to guide” . Our programme guide has been compiled to specifically assist you, every step of the way, and answers many of the questions you may have. All the benefits, requirements and pre-requisites are detailed for you including an easy proposal template, which you can use to submit your proposals to Eskom. See the print list below.

Eskom invites you to be part of this new exciting offer.

Any questions you may have can be forwarded to the Aggregated Standard Product programme team by simply e mailing the team. Cick here to email(please be sure to include Aggregated Standard Product in your subject line for ease of reply).

*Dear ESCO’s please note that the Aggregated Standard Product (ASP) is now open till Dec 2012 and call for proposals has begun thank you*

Print the required programme document here:

1. Aggregated Standard Product How to guide
2. Project proposal template
3. Annexure C – Supplier development and localisation proposal matrix template
4. Toolkit
5. Annexure A – Declaration of interest
6. Annexure B – Authorisation form
7. Annexure D – SDL Obligations schedule
8. Aggregted Standard Product Contract

Want to know the differences between the Residential Mass Roll Out programme and the Aggregated Standard Product? Click here to find out.

Propose a project for approval today…
e mail: standardproduct@eskom.co.za

The Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA) is dedicated to the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies including solar water heaters, heat pumps and green energy industries like bioenergy, wind to hydro.

Run by an independent national office, the SESSA solar water heating division is aligned strategically with Eskom to support the solar rebate programme. Choosing Eskom registered suppliers and installers means you are choosing SESSA registered suppliers, ensuring that accepted norms and standards are maintained for your installation.

As the solar industry watchdog, supported by an ombudsman, SESSA enforces quality control and a code of conduct amongst its members and the sector at large.

In the event of consumer concerns relating to solar installations and supplier conduct, SESSA will gladly assist consumers to ensure that the benefits of investing in renewable technologies like solar water heating are realised by the end-user.

SESSA endeavours to educate end-users about the benefits of adopting energy-saving technologies as well as encouraging the development of a sustainable and successful low carbon society.

SESSA Facebook page
SESSA Twitter page
SESSA website

Contact
011 513 4071 (Johannesburg)
021 526 0353 (Western Cape)

Email addresses at SESSA:

ambassador@sessa.org.za
ombudsman@sessa.org.za
robin.thomson@sessa.org.za