This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
In a South African first, residents of Nelson Mandela Bay are able to grid connect their renewable energy systems to the national electricity grid.
This, after the Municipality and the National Energy Regulator jointly approving systems of up to 100 kilowats to be grid connected.
Details of the Small Scale Embedded Generation Scheme were unveiled at a joint business briefing by the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and local renewable energy company, Kestrel Renewable Energy, a division of Eveready.
Kestrel says while these type of agreements are not uncommon globally, it is a first for South Africa.
National sales manager, Alex Hofmeyr, says the scheme has the potential to impact significantly on both the electricity cost to the consumer as well as give them the ability to go green.
"You will go through an application process with the muncipality, they will install the meter, you can then put solar panels on your roof and possibly a small wind turbine. As this generates electricity and electricity coming in off the grid you will be credited for the difference at the end of the month. You will pay literally for the electricity used, deducted from that the electricity that you send on the muncipal grid from your renewable energy sources on your resident." says Hofmeyr
Sales and markeing director Leon Gouws explained that "every site has a unique optimum combination of green energy sources such as solar and wind. A professionally designed and correctly installed solution should allow the household or small business to generate its own green energy only using Eskom power when the alternative energy sources are insufficient."
