It is believed that each hour the earth receives more energy than the world can use in a full year. Out of this abundance of incoming energy South Africa has one of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world. The solar radiation of South Africa ranges from around 1450 kWh/m2 to about 1950 kWh/m2 per year, compared to Europe which on average is 910kWh/m2 per year.

Technology allows us to use and convert this freely available resource to serve our energy needs, such as water heating.

Countries throughout the world are increasingly using solar energy. Areas that do not have nearly as much solar radiation as we do have high numbers of reliable solar water heaters in use. Countries such as Germany, Israel, Canada, the USA and even Namibia are striding ahead.

Our Koi ponds can run solely on sun power. We should wake up!

I have been looking into solar power for heating and for using in the home and what I have found is that youre initial costs are astronomical but after that its smooth sailing accept if some kid throughs a rock onto youre roof and cracks one of the panels.

The initial cost of solar power is still something too expensive for average people to pay.

So, i think it will take sometimes before it will be commonly use in SA.

It is true, at this stage it is far more expensive than Escom Power, despite the more than 50% price hike. On the other hand, as more people use it, the prices will go down.

However, the following is already an option in view of the ongoing load shedding:

150watt panel @ R 90/watt = R 13500.00
Two deep cycle batteries = R 1500.00
1000 watt Invertor = R 1500.00
Regulator = R 500.00

Total: R 17 000.00 (Approximate prices)

With this you can run a 8000 liter per hour submersible pump (160 watts) for your pond permanently, saving electricity 24/7 with no running costs at all, except to replace the batteries every few years.

AND, during load shedding, you use the same system to run the pump, a few energy saving lights, TV and computer for three hours. (Your batteries will be fully charged at the beginning of the load shedding period, and therefore you are not limited to the 160 watts provided by the solar panel during this period)

For the convenience during load shedding and the constant saving on your pond, I believe it is an option and I am going to investigate more.

Bith a bigger demand and more studies conducted, surely the prices can come down dramatically, and Escom already started to subsidise the systems. We are living in a technology era.

By the way, on E bay you get 45 watt solar panels for $175

That is R 30.00 per watt as opossed to our average of R 90 per watt

On the above calculation that would be:

150watt panel @ R 30/watt = R 4500.00
Two deep cycle batteries = R 1500.00 (one can also do the job)
1000 watt Invertor = R 1500.00
Regulator = R 200.00

Total: R 7700.00

That already makes a big difference.

I will want to add solar to my ponds ... where can I get the stuff needed to run 2x pumps.

Thanks.

One option is:

PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL 12 V DC 50 W
Price: R 2,699


Location: Johannesburg

-ALUMINUM FRAME WITH FACILITIES TO ANCHOR IT

ON ANY SURFACE



-SOLAR PANEL CRYSTALLINE TECHNOLOGY 50 W

-ADVICE POSITIONING FOR MAXIMUM OUTPUT - NORTH

-GLASS RESISTANT TO MODERATE SHOCK AND VIBRATION

-GUARANTEED OUTPUT FOR 25 YEARS

-ADDITIONAL 10 A REGULATOR “ONE WAY CHARGING “ AVAILABLE

AT R250

Area: SYDENAHM
Contact: DANNY 0114853788
Skype: DINUDANNY


Not viable at this stage for high wattage pumps. Four of these should be able to run a 8000 liter / hour submersible pump 24/7.

You will also need a few deep cycle batteries (R 1200 each) and one invertor (R 1000.00) See www.wantitall.co.za for various options.

Bottom line, Eskom is still much, much cheaper.

If you can find cheaper panels, please let us know.

Thank you.

I would also like to go solar in the future as my current electricity expenses for my pond per month is R 800 but from what i have found is that i will have to cover almost my entire roof 270 square M with pannels to do that...

My pond setup uses roughly 1.45Kw