Comments on: Solar power breakthrough http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=180 Before you are wise, after, you are wise. In between, you are otherwise. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:34:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Richard http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=180&cpage=3#comment-32408 Richard Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:43:38 +0000 http://www.greenman.co.za/wordpress/?p=180#comment-32408 Some very useful comments above (and some not so useful verbal sparring as well). I've started company in Cape Town doing solar water heating. As far as I can tell this is the most financially viable renewable energy option for people who are staying on the grid. Especially now that Eskom have doubled the rebates. However, I am keeping my eye on the wind and solar PV spaces, which I think will become a lot more viable once the regulators allow us to feed electricity back into the grid. Some very useful comments above (and some not so useful verbal sparring as well). I’ve started company in Cape Town doing solar water heating. As far as I can tell this is the most financially viable renewable energy option for people who are staying on the grid. Especially now that Eskom have doubled the rebates. However, I am keeping my eye on the wind and solar PV spaces, which I think will become a lot more viable once the regulators allow us to feed electricity back into the grid.

]]> By: edward http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=180&cpage=3#comment-31562 edward Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:50:34 +0000 http://www.greenman.co.za/wordpress/?p=180#comment-31562 I am in Joburg originally from Transkei Eastern Cape i would love to purchase the solar kit for my home but where? I am in Joburg originally from Transkei Eastern Cape i would love to purchase the solar kit for my home but where?

]]> By: Francois http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=180&cpage=3#comment-26601 Francois Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:06:03 +0000 http://www.greenman.co.za/wordpress/?p=180#comment-26601 SASOL is starting a PV factory - Good news, but very late? http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/sa-thin-film-solar-plant-may-be-operating-within-two-and-a-half-years-2009-11-20 SASOL is starting a PV factory – Good news, but very late?

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/sa-thin-film-solar-plant-may-be-operating-within-two-and-a-half-years-2009-11-20

]]> By: Sky http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=180&cpage=3#comment-25279 Sky Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:12:28 +0000 http://www.greenman.co.za/wordpress/?p=180#comment-25279 I loved the comments by "The Alien Factor" as that sums up the situation in SA for any assistance to rural indigent. With four successive Eishcom (Paincom, Vleiscom...you choose) increases in the region of 30% from 2009 to 2012 all South African citz paying tax will be supporting 20 Million indigents (same as govt. is doing with taxes in the form of grants)and it won't end there. Between taxes and crime, the Rand earning citizen of this country will become poorer. And you will never build a wealthy nation by taking from the Haves to give to the HaveLots (Malemas etc??) and Havenots! The solution is to get off the grid, out of the city and be independent (as far as the Municipal Rates Act will allow) to grow your own food, generate your own power and be happy. We have been busy for 5 years on our project to become self sustainable and we are 70% there at a rough estimate. We want to be making our own diesel by 2011. To be power independent is to have a mix of systems to make power. Must have a descent generator running at 1500rpm max, at least one good wind turbine (buy Kestrel from PE), as much Solar panels as you can afford, gas for heating and cooking, build a fire water heater combined with gas, build a gas digester to make biogas (which you can use to power both your bakkie and you generator by the way!) and if you are as lucky as we are to have water in abundance (3 springs) then build water wheels to drive small generators (1kW each say) and before you know it the government lethargy and ineptitude won't be a pain the *ss anymore. Engineer your way to freedom by thinking, asking and working your plan to success!! I love my country and I like living in it - but that does not mean I have to pay others for their survival. And we are only two people in our retired household (but have age on our side as we are 98 years collectively.) Anything is possible is you really want it! Peace of Mind was our choice. I loved the comments by “The Alien Factor” as that sums up the situation in SA for any assistance to rural indigent. With four successive Eishcom (Paincom, Vleiscom…you choose) increases in the region of 30% from 2009 to 2012 all South African citz paying tax will be supporting 20 Million indigents (same as govt. is doing with taxes in the form of grants)and it won’t end there. Between taxes and crime, the Rand earning citizen of this country will become poorer. And you will never build a wealthy nation by taking from the Haves to give to the HaveLots (Malemas etc??) and Havenots!

The solution is to get off the grid, out of the city and be independent (as far as the Municipal Rates Act will allow) to grow your own food, generate your own power and be happy. We have been busy for 5 years on our project to become self sustainable and we are 70% there at a rough estimate. We want to be making our own diesel by 2011.

To be power independent is to have a mix of systems to make power. Must have a descent generator running at 1500rpm max, at least one good wind turbine (buy Kestrel from PE), as much Solar panels as you can afford, gas for heating and cooking, build a fire water heater combined with gas, build a gas digester to make biogas (which you can use to power both your bakkie and you generator by the way!) and if you are as lucky as we are to have water in abundance (3 springs) then build water wheels to drive small generators (1kW each say) and before you know it the government lethargy and ineptitude won’t be a pain the *ss anymore.

Engineer your way to freedom by thinking, asking and working your plan to success!! I love my country and I like living in it – but that does not mean I have to pay others for their survival. And we are only two people in our retired household (but have age on our side as we are 98 years collectively.)

Anything is possible is you really want it! Peace of Mind was our choice.

]]> By: Godfrey http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=180&cpage=3#comment-25227 Godfrey Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:07:25 +0000 http://www.greenman.co.za/wordpress/?p=180#comment-25227 Hi Everybody!! Thanks for the wonderfull info. Eskom ****, if you know what I mean. Busy setting up my solar system now. Got one 80W and one 10W solar panel. Battery is 110Ah. Inverters, one 300W and one 150W. Hope this will carry my lighting. Cheers :) Hi Everybody!! Thanks for the wonderfull info. Eskom ****, if you know what I mean. Busy setting up my solar system now. Got one 80W and one 10W solar panel. Battery is 110Ah. Inverters, one 300W and one 150W. Hope this will carry my lighting.

Cheers :)

]]> By: Deon http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=180&cpage=3#comment-25016 Deon Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:39:49 +0000 http://www.greenman.co.za/wordpress/?p=180#comment-25016 Hi Grant I am interested to start my own company to install solar panels at homes in West coast aria. Are you willing to talk business with me? Hi Grant I am interested to start my own company to install
solar panels at homes in West coast aria. Are you willing to talk business with me?

]]> By: Goobler http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=180&cpage=3#comment-24905 Goobler Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:47:59 +0000 http://www.greenman.co.za/wordpress/?p=180#comment-24905 Any updates as to when these panels will be made available in SA? Any updates as to when these panels will be made available in SA?

]]> By: Goobler http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=180&cpage=3#comment-24904 Goobler Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:47:06 +0000 http://www.greenman.co.za/wordpress/?p=180#comment-24904 May we have contact details, Grant? May we have contact details, Grant?

]]> By: Grant http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=180&cpage=3#comment-24825 Grant Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:47:04 +0000 http://www.greenman.co.za/wordpress/?p=180#comment-24825 Hello, I have read some coments here and some people have no idea or limited technical back rounds and are now saying its not worth it, my house runs on R100 a month, i have fitted solar panels that give me power when eskom is in the dark, the system worked so well i have started a small compnay and design systems for holiday houses and large houses in the city to farms it does work if done right!!!! Hello, I have read some coments here and some people have no idea or limited technical back rounds and are now saying its not worth it, my house runs on R100 a month, i have fitted solar panels that give me power when eskom is in the dark, the system worked so well i have started a small compnay and design systems for holiday houses and large houses in the city to farms it does work if done right!!!!

]]> By: Global warming and the Sun · Neverness http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=180&cpage=3#comment-23798 Global warming and the Sun · Neverness Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:10:44 +0000 http://www.greenman.co.za/wordpress/?p=180#comment-23798 [...] Solar power breakthrough [...] [...] Solar power breakthrough [...]

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