The cost of photovoltaic (PV) panels has plummeted by 50% since the beginning of this year, making solar power more accessible to those who still have not got off the grid, says David Crawley, head of product line at Electrolux Kwikot Watercare.
50% price drop on PV panels is a game changer for HVAC. Freepik.com
“At the beginning of 2023 – when stage 6 load shedding hit our shores – all who could afford to, put up inverter systems. It’s all to do with supply and demand,” he says, highlighting the impact of global events such as the war in Ukraine on the industry.
“The war at the time hampered the supply chain of components we needed, and it was a struggle to keep up with the high demand driven by stage 6 loadshedding.
“The demand is not as high this year as most have already made the change to solar. Added to that, the supply chain is open again, so we have an oversupply of PV panels bringing the price – for exactly the same product – down by 50%.”
In its green range, it is these solar panels and alternate water heating systems that remain the most popular items, says Murray Crow, Electrolux Managing Director (MD) for South Africa. Electrolux acquired the Kwikot Group for a total R3.18-billion a few years back.
Crow says there has been a significant shift in consumer preferences over the century that Kwikot has been in the water heating business. He says green solutions, such as solar panels and alternate off-grid water heating systems, have become the most sought-after items, enabling consumers to navigate extended loadshedding periods independently.
Crow and Crawley trace the industry’s renewable energy momentum back to 2008/09 when Eskom introduced a rebate system for solar installations amid South Africa’s initial experience of loadshedding.
This trend accelerated in 2018 with the implementation of building regulation Sans10400SA, mandating that 50% of a property’s hot water must be generated by non-element sources. Solar today is their best product, with the introduction of the Elon 100 PV Heating system taking off since its launch.
The heating system that can be retrofitted, boasts zero maintenance requirements, exceptional performance, and a lifespan double that of traditional solar thermal systems.
The Smart Connected Thermostat, a unique addition to the Elon system, is set to launch in the next two months, will also enable users to operate their geysers via a smartphone.
Source: Kwikot
