Nelson Mandela Bay approves renewable energy systems

By being grid connected, homeowners and businesses can benefit from reduced electricity bills. Depending on electricity consumption and energy produced, each installation will reap varying cost savings.

As an example, a typical South African home consumes on average 285kWh per person per month. Based on an average family of four, this is 1,140kWh/month, and based on the average Port Elizabeth wind speed of five metres per second, the Kestrel e160i can produce 333kWh/month. Two solar panels will produce 1,800kWh/month, so home owners will not need to purchase electricity and will be saving R1,373/month.

Potential impact

"While globally, grid connection of renewable energy sources is not uncommon, this is a South African first. The scheme has the potential to significantly impact both the cost of electricity as well as the ability to go green, but to also become self-sufficient and feed-in green energy to the grid," says Leon Gouws, sales and marketing director of Kestrel Renewable Energy.

"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."