For South African resident Mark Moodley, the installation of a home solar power system has been nothing short of life-saving for his 81-year-old mother.
After a three-week stay in intensive care last year, she returned to her home in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, where she now relies on an oxygen concentrator for respiratory support.
However, South Africa’s unreliable electricity supply posed a significant challenge.
“There were times when we would be without power for six hours. I had to resort to using a car battery to power her oxygen tank, but that was a short-term solution, and we would have to manually assist her breathing,” Mr. Moodley shared with the BBC.
“On occasion, we had to rush her to the hospital when our efforts proved insufficient. It was a frightening experience.”
Previously, doctors had given the family a grim prognosis. However, a consistent power supply has afforded them precious additional time together.
“It has been a lifesaver. I no longer have to constantly monitor her throughout the night. I have peace of mind knowing that her oxygen tank is powered, regardless of the circumstances,” he stated, his voice filled with emotion.
Despite recent improvements to South Africa’s power infrastructure, outages remain a reality.
Consistent access to electricity has become a luxury in the nation, which has grappled with nearly 15 years of “load-shedding” – scheduled nationwide blackouts implemented to alleviate strain on the vulnerable infrastructure.
Beyond endangering lives, the power crisis has hindered economic progress and contributed to job losses.
South Africa’s power generation is heavily dependent on coal, a significant source of pollution, accounting for approximately 80% of the nation’s electricity. Nevertheless, the government has recently eased restrictions on small-scale solar generation and introduced tax incentives for installation.
The country is also actively seeking increased investment in renewable energy sources to facilitate the transition away from coal.
For those with the financial means, there has been a gradual shift towards off-grid living, with homes and businesses investing in solar power systems that require an initial investment of $14,000-$19,600 (£10,400-£14,500).
This price point places this option beyond the reach of most South Africans, preventing those struggling financially from harnessing the country’s abundant sunshine and investing in clean, reliable energy.
Mr. Moodley, however, was able to access a pay-as-you-go scheme, ensuring a continuous power supply for essential medical equipment.
His electricity bill has decreased by $80 per week, resulting in savings he hopes to reinvest in expanding his system and ultimately achieving complete off-grid independence.
The system he utilizes is provided by Wetility, a local start-up established in 2019.
The most basic package for residential users costs $60 per month, with no substantial upfront payment required, making solar power more accessible to a wider range of individuals.
The company identified a market gap – affordable solar solutions tailored for small businesses and low-income households.
“South Africa has traditionally had high electricity access – but access means nothing if the power isn’t reliable or affordable,” says Vincent Maposa, the company’s founder and a former energy analyst.
“We had to develop products that are both fit-for-purpose and financially accessible.”
While solar power is not new in South Africa, Wetility’s business model includes a mobile-phone style monthly payment plan, allowing customers to spread out the cost.
For years, load-shedding has been used as a last-ditch attempt to keep the national grid from total collapse, following decades of mismanagement at state utility Eskom.
While blackouts have eased for some urban centres, poorer communities and business people continue to suffer forced cuts as aging infrastructure struggles to meet the growing demand.
For some in the townships worries about theft and practicality have also deterred people from getting solar equipment, but Wetility has also designed lightweight, flexible panels that can be fitted on the fragile rooftops common in many of these areas.
“We came up with a thin-film panel that sticks onto the roof. If someone tries to peel it off, it tears and becomes valueless. That was important for areas where theft is a concern,” says Mr Maposa.
“In terms of efficiency, they perform about as well as traditional panels.”
The energy unit, including an inverter, which converts the power generated by the panels into useable electricity, and a battery that works when the sun is not shining, is secured in a large steel box weighing about 300kg that bolts onto a wall.
The team says this reduces the risk of theft and avoids drawing attention in high-crime areas.
Shopkeeper Julius Koobetseng recently made the switch to solar that may have saved his small grocery store.
In a grey beanie hat and thick blue jacket to ward off the cold in the southern Hemisphere winter, he stacks cans of drink in a brightly lit fridge remembering how the frequent power cuts nearly wrecked his livelihood.
“Meat would go off, dairy would spoil. Sometimes we’d be without power for four days,” the 43-year-old says.
But since March, his shop in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, has been using the pay-as-you-go solar power system to keep the lights and fridges on.
Some small business owners have turned to back-up diesel generators but Mr Koobetseng, who has had his shop for the past 13 years, was drawn to the more environmentally friendly option.
“Power cuts have badly affected small businesses. I know many in this area that had to shut down because they couldn’t keep up with the uncertainty,” he says.
“We live month-to-month, depending on what the business brings in. If you can’t guarantee power, how do you even plan for the future?”
Now he does not worry when the power goes out which has been “a huge relief”.
It costs his business $250 a month but Mr Koobetseng’s business has picked up thanks to the reliable power.
“People know my shop stays open even when the power’s out. Some just come to charge their appliances, but while they’re here, they buy things too,” he says with a smile.
For him, the benefit is not about lowering his electricity bills. It is the consistency.
“Solar gave me back control. I can plan my day knowing I’ll have power.”
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