A special tax incentive to save energy was promulgated on 1 November, but how does that work? We are talking about the “Regulations in terms of Section 12L of the Income Tax Act, 1962, on the allowance for energy efficiency savings.” The allowance is for the purpose of determining the taxable income derived by any person from carrying on any trade in respect of any year of … [Read more...]
Green living with style
Environment Response Architecture (ERA Architects) were approached by a client with a very exciting and challenging request. The client wanted a Johannesburg home that has a unique and intriguing look, but most importantly could also function if the Johannesburg municipality should fail completely; a luxury home that offered comfortable living no matter what the … [Read more...]
Biggest solar installation on one roof in Africa
We had the pleasure this week to experience hands-on the largest single rooftop solar installation in Africa, generating 542.4kW power. The impressive “White House’ Vodacom office building in Century City, Cape Town had all of 3600m² of roof tiles removed and replaced by solar panels. The installation of the solar array is part of Vodacom’s ongoing drive to help reduce the … [Read more...]
Solar can help private sector overcome price hikes
Solar energy can help South African companies overcome financial implications of future price hikes. Particularly medium-size businesses can benefit. However, in order for sun-generated energy to become mainstream among the South African private sector, the solar industry has to start marketing it as a practical need-to-have solution instead of a green, nice-to-have … [Read more...]
Heightened risk of solar storm for next 2 years
The delicate threads that hold modern life together are dramatically cut by an unexpected threat from outer space, with disastrous effects. It’s the stuff of science fiction usually associated with tales of rogue asteroids on a collision course with earth. But over the next two years, as the sun reaches a peak in its 10-year activity cycle, scientists say there is a … [Read more...]
Sustainable fair lights up the future
The lurch towards a healthy future received a welcome boost over the weekend with the staging of the first Sustainable Living and Indigenous Plant Fair (SLIP) at the Royal Showgrounds. While the plant sale attracted a healthy flow of buyers, it was a film festival during all three days of the event and the range of renewable technologies that stole the show. Exhibitors … [Read more...]
Pretoria Uni opts for record breaking solar system
SESSA member Holms and Friends, formerly Omnibus Engineering, has installed a solar water heating system at the University of Pretoria (UP) which – with a total 672m2 collector surface – is the biggest glazed installation in Southern Africa. The installation at the university’s veterinary campus, Onderstepoort, meets the warm water demands of its new energy efficient … [Read more...]
The sun’s impending temper tantrum
In late January and again in the second week of March, the sun lashed out in a bit of a temper tantrum, on both occasions sending out a powerful interplanetary coronal mass ejection whose full effects reached Earth in a few days. We got lucky: Nothing much happened, and the resulting space weather storm didn’t pack as big a punch as expected. This won’t always be the … [Read more...]
Hands-on greening becomes a passion
If you’re not passionate about the earth, don’t bother to do the 5 hour trip from Cape Town to Forest Edge along the Knysna forest. Although it is a multi-award-winning resort with very well equipped and serviced cottages, this is ultimately a Nature Lovers’ Retreat. I had been there before and of course loved the chilled vibe as I wrote poetry in the hammock on the cottage … [Read more...]
R4.7 billion for solar water heating campaign
The Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA) has welcomed Government’s allocation of R4.7-billion to the solar water heater campaign, as confirmed by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in his budget speech last week (February 22). The target for the campaign is 1-million installations by the end of 2014; to date 160 000 solar water heaters have been installed under … [Read more...]
Impact of solar flares on humans?
John from 'Wisdom to Nourish' writes that many people are experiencing broken sleep, strange or vivid dreams and possibly also feelings of anxiety or fear at this time. The brain is an electromagnetic/chemical receiver and transmitter of information. It is influenced by magnetic grids both terrestrial as well as of solar origin. He share an article on the effect of solar … [Read more...]
Burning wetland stops us in our tracks
On Friday afternoon we were about to hit ‘send’ to release this issue, when a thick smoke invaded our office like a ghost. We ran outside to see the wetland beyond our wall go up in flames – fanned by a strong wind blowing in our direction. Ironically we were just focusing on the importance of wetlands as central to healthy ecosystems and here they are destroyed again. This … [Read more...]
Learn about our Solar Future
The immense potential of solar energy is slowly being realised and the South African solar industry is experiencing steady growth. New policies, investments and major loan guarantees by institutions such as the African Development Bank have accelerated the development of this upcoming market. A conference devoted to South African solar On 25 January Solarplaza will be … [Read more...]
