South Africa’s commercial and industrial (C&I) sector faces a double whammy: rising electricity costs and unpredictable load shedding. Grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) systems offer a clear solution, delivering significant cost savings, enhanced energy security when integrated with batteries and generators (additional costs apply), and a hedge against future energy price hikes. However, delays in procurement…
South Africa’s booming renewable energy sector presents a golden opportunity for commercial property owners. Have you considered your empty rooftop or unused space in your parking lot as a potential source of income? Commercial solar power rental agreements can transform these spaces into revenue generators while enhancing your property’s value. Partnering with an Independent Power…
Making the move to solar energy and battery backup is a significant step toward sustainability and energy security. But it often leaves many wondering about the fate of their trusty old generators. If you’re one of the many who have decided to take the leap to solar and battery power, you might be asking, “What…
Solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) have increased in popularity among South African businesses looking to protect themselves against ever-rising energy costs and the disruptions of load shedding. Many business owners see PPAs as merely a financing solution. Here’s why they’re wrong. While finance is certainly a key element, the true value of a PPA lies…
An all-too-frequent question that we get from tenants in buildings with new grid-tied solar installations is: “Our building has solar – why do we still have load shedding during the day when the sun is shining?” The short answer is that solar panels are not a load shedding solution on their own. That is, a…
Load shedding isn’t just an inconvenience for South Africa’s life rights retirement villages – it brings potential safety hazards for vulnerable residents. Imagine relying on medical equipment that suddenly switches off, or struggling to navigate darkened passageways amidst a power outage. For many seniors, life rights villages offer affordability and comfort, but energy insecurity casts…
By Paul Miller THE history of the South African mining and energy industries has been tightly intertwined for more than a century and both owe their very existence to the other. The first of South Africa’s utility-scale power stations served the gold mines of the Witwatersrand. And it was the mining industry that subscribed for the…
Shopping centre owners across South Africa are switching to solar to save on electricity costs, reduce their reliance on the grid, and transition to using more sustainable clean energy. While the promise of solar energy is vast, the reality presents challenges, and solar PV systems come with their own set of complications. For one thing,…
By Paul Miller WHERE does renewable energy investment fit in to mining company capital allocation? And do global mining investors really want exposure to long-life, low-return energy assets? This has been the subject of some discussion with mining and energy bankers of my acquaintance. And the consensus seems to be that mining companies must eventually divest…
At Decentral, we’re excited to announce our new Energy Services Agreement (ESA), a solar power solution that’s the perfect fit for residential estates, apartment blocks, and small commercial and industrial users. Our solution is designed to help these users take control of their energy and reduce their reliance on the grid. Our ESA provides an…