Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa

1. Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa Creating a Sustainable Solar Water Heating Industry in SA

2. Presentation Outline • Introduction to SESSA • Key success areas/ lessons • Threats, challenges and opportunities for action • 5 Key thematic questions/issues • Economic implications • Policy and governance requirements • Concluding remarks • Recommendations for Green Economy Plan

3. Introduction MISSION • The mission of SESSA is the creation and continued growth of an authoritative renewable energy forum, in Southern Africa OBJECTIVES • To promote and increase the use of renewable energy with informal education, demonstration and information dissemination to end-users and other decision makers of all levels; • To establish the society as the main regional information centre in close co-operation with similar initiatives; • To facilitate in the creation and maintenance of appropriate standards for products, systems or methods and training. For this purpose SESSA maintains a close relationship with it’s various divisions, one of which is the Solar Water Heating Division

4. Introduction MEMBERS INCLUDE • Manufacturers • Importers • Distributors • Installers • Training Providers • Researchers • Consultants MEMBERSHIP • 2007 membership = 15 members • 2010 membership = 250 paid up members and +450 including latest applicants

5. Introduction

6. Introduction • How to create a Sustainable Solar Water Heating Industry to best serve all stakeholders and in doing so promote a green economy?

7. Key success areas/ lessons • 2009 – New Portfolio Driven Committee • Finance & Membership • Complaints & Compliments • In-house & Legal • Standards • Education & Training • Communications • Associations • Government & Parastatals • Banks & Insurers

8. Threats and Challenges • Management Committee works on a voluntary basis • Membership Fees alone cannot cover the cost of a permanent Management Team acting on behalf of industry • No permanent SESSA staff • No permanent home (office & demonstration facility)

9. Opportunities for action • Amend membership categories to include: • Platinum (Gov or Parastatal) • Gold (Banks, Insurers, Corporates) • Silver (SWH Companies) • Bronze (Installers) • Other (Individual, NGO, Student) • Employ management team to implement Business Plan

10. 5 Key thematic questions/issues • How can we create a strong and sustainable Solar Industry Body • Information and Demonstration Centre • Promote Solar Technologies through Education and Information Dissemination • Incubator for new industry members (training) • Market information • Research and Development Hub

11. Economic implications There are +400 companies operating in the SWH space (mostly SME) – 1600-2000 people from sales to administration and installation SWH currently attract a 15% import duty Component codes need to be defined Potential for local production subject to increased demand

12. Policy and governance requirements • SANS204 to become mandatory for all new builds (Energy Efficient Building Standard) • All failed geysers to be replaced by energy efficient water heaters as per SANS204 • Offset cost of solar water heater against personal income tax - Plastic Bag, Electricity, Vehicle (new cars), Environmental (Incandescent Bulbs) Levy and Vehicle Emissions Tax (Sept 2010) • Reduce trade barriers on imports for X years in order to increase demand and justify local mass production

13. Concluding remarks • Without a strong Sustainable Energy Industry Body, the potential for a successful industry development and technology rollout is diminished!

14. Recommendations • Government to authorize and commit short, medium and long term funding towards the support of SESSA • Funding would go towards the development of a Solar Info Centre (home for SESSA) from which all goals and objectives could be achieved

15. THANK YOU