If the Peco Powerbrick solar power system pilot project is successful, millions of South African residents will have access to electricity in their homes very soon. Last year, the pilot program was introduced in Pretoria.
Professors Willie Cronje and David Everatt are the creators of the initiative. Its goal is to supply energy to groups living in informal settlements.
This initiative is owned by Wits University and its collaborators in the Gauteng Research Triangle.
The pair told Wits News in an interview that they intended to research the possibility of providing portable, small-scale solar power systems to power people’s houses.
According to Prof. Cronje, the Wits School of Electrical and Information Engineering is investigating the feasibility of setting up tiny microgrids in unincorporated areas to help with electricity provision while simultaneously serving as a source of revenue for persons living in these communities.
The initiative was started in response to an opinion piece written by Professors Everatt of the Wits School of Governance and Imraan Valodia of the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Climate, Sustainability, and Inequality on the Daily Maverick news website, which suggested that South Africa’s solar revolution might be spearheaded by informal settlements.
The Pecogrid pilot research, according to the university, will look at whether it makes sense to deploy microgrid inverter systems on a broad scale in unincorporated areas.
“The local government will not lose any revenue should these communities, who are in dire need of energy, be connected to solar power because these households are not currently connected to the grid,” Everatt stated.
Everatt went on to say that if solar energy is connected to these communities, the result will be excess energy that the communities may sell to the local government for a profit.
“Everyone will benefit since they will not only have energy but also make a much-needed income,” he said.
As these communities send energy into the grid, the local community will be energised, the grid will experience less strain, and eventually, as households start receiving cash, the government will spend less on social subsidies.
Lightec workers installed two Pecogrid solar systems at homes in Kirkney, Pretoria West, as part of the pilot project.
Mario Roos, CEO of Lightec, stated, “The system is modular, so you can add on further capacity as your economic circumstances change.”
Sophy Sepogaone, one of the recipients, expressed her satisfaction with the project, saying it will allow her to charge her phone among other things.
“I no longer need to visit my neighbors to charge my phone,” she remarked.
To see how Pecogrid solar systems works, watch the video here:
Editor’s note: This pilot project has the potential of being a game changer in South Africa’s crippling electricity problem once most people start to use the solar energy, the result will be excess energy that the communities may sell to the local government for a profit.
Description: Professors Willie Cronje and David Everatt are the creators of the initiative. Its goal is to supply energy to groups living in informal settlements.
Editor: Thato Mahlangu
Project manager: Do4SA