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Solar heated water to “become the norm” in SA

August 16th, 2019, Published in Articles: Vector

While access to water and sanitation remains a basic human right, access to solar heated water may become the norm in South Africa. Collaboration between government and the private sector has produced a sound foundation for the provision of quality, safe and locally produced solar geysers.

Accoording to acting SABS CEO Garth Strachan, “the intersection of various regulations, the intent to find alternative sources of energy and the requirement for testing, local content verification and certification of solar geysers will lead to hot water in homes becoming a reality for all South Africans in the future.” He says reduced reliance on the energy grid has multiple benefits on household expenses and access to services will bolster economic growth.

The following regulations and partnerships have contributed to growth in this industry:

  • The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) has regulated geysers for domestic use (VC 9006). The regulation includes labeling of the products and conformance to SANS 151 through a recognised certification scheme.
  • A partnership with the Department of Energy and SABS has resulted in thousands of geysers being successfully tested and the local content being verified.
  • The national building regulation for energy usage in buildings requires that 50% (by volume) of the annual average of hot water requirements be from sources other than electric heating or fossil fuels, encouraging the use of solar geysers.
  • The Department of Trade and Industry has designated solar water heater components at 70% for collectors and 70% for storage tanks.

SABS is currently the only laboratory in South Africa that independently tests solar geysers. The laboratory comprises indoor and outdoor test facilities covering mechanical and electrical components.  There is a range of standards applicable to the testing of solar geysers. The duration of these tests ranges over several weeks.

Contact Roshelle Pillay, SABS,  Tel 012 428-6878, roshelle.pillay@sabs.co.za

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