EPISODE · May 20, 2025 · 28 MIN
Everything Counts | Ep 22: Guide to Going Solar in South Africa
from Investec Focus Radio SA · host Investec
Everything Counts is a bi-weekly podcast series that dives into money and financial wellness, hosted by 702’s Motheo Khoaripe. Each episode unpacks practical aspects of personal finance-how to save, spend, invest, and make smart decisions to boost your financial well-being. In this episode, Motheo is joined by De Wet Taljaard (Technical Advisor at Investec Sustainable Solutions), Kirk Palmer (Director at Solafi), and Andrew Winstone (CEO at Energy LED) to tackle one of South Africa’s hottest topics: solar power and energy efficiency for households. They break down the current state of the energy crisis in South Africa, the realities of Eskom, and the future of electricity. The panel shares actionable tips on how to reduce your energy bill; from switching to LED lighting to using your geyser smartly and choosing energy efficient appliances. The panel explains the different types of solar systems, the cost of solar panels for home and how to choose a solar system for your home. Whether you’re ready to invest in solar or just want to make your home more energy efficient, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you make informed decisions and take control of your energy future. 00:00 Introduction 01:36 The current energy crisis in South Africa 03:05 The Energy Availability Factor (EAF) 04:28 The impact of power failures in municipalities 05:10 How to curb the cost of power failures in your home 05:50 How to use lights to reduce energy consumption and save costs 07:39 Energy efficient options to cut costs in the home 8:36 How to use the energy efficiency metric 09:14 Insulation in the home 10:24 Home solar system costs and the return on investment 12:49 Types of solar systems on the market and the costs involved 14:50 Maintenance and lifespan of solar systems 15:30 Choosing the right solar system 17:32 Sectional titles and body corporates 18:45 Compliance and safety considerations 20:10 Eskom direct connected customer requirements 21:20 Why registration is the responsibility of the business or homeowner 21:52 Meeting the requirements to get your system registered 22:17 Financing opportunities for solar systems 22:45 Funding solutions for Investec clients 23:18 Cape Town versus Johannesburg: feeding back into the grid 25:32 Energy saving tips 26:08 Increasing energy independence and savings for the future 27:20 How can you prepare for South Africa’s growing water crisis? Listen to the whole Everything Counts series on Investec Focus Radio SA Investec Focus Radio SA
What this episode covers
Everything Counts is a bi-weekly podcast series that dives into money and financial wellness, hosted by 702’s Motheo Khoaripe. Each episode unpacks practical aspects of personal finance-how to save, spend, invest, and make smart decisions to boost your financial well-being. In this episode, Motheo is joined by De Wet Taljaard (Technical Advisor at Investec Sustainable Solutions), Kirk Palmer (Director at Solafi), and Andrew Winstone (CEO at Energy LED) to tackle one of South Africa’s hottest topics: solar power and energy efficiency for households. They break down the current state of the energy crisis in South Africa, the realities of Eskom, and the future of electricity. The panel shares actionable tips on how to reduce your energy bill; from switching to LED lighting to using your geyser smartly and choosing energy efficient appliances. The panel explains the different types of solar systems, the cost of solar panels for home and how to choose a solar system for your home. Whether you’re ready to invest in solar or just want to make your home more energy efficient, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you make informed decisions and take control of your energy future. 00:00 Introduction 01:36 The current energy crisis in South Africa 03:05 The Energy Availability Factor (EAF) 04:28 The impact of power failures in municipalities 05:10 How to curb the cost of power failures in your home 05:50 How to use lights to reduce energy consumption and save costs 07:39 Energy efficient options to cut costs in the home 8:36 How to use the energy efficiency metric 09:14 Insulation in the home 10:24 Home solar system costs and the return on investment 12:49 Types of solar systems on the market and the costs involved 14:50 Maintenance and lifespan of solar systems 15:30 Choosing the right solar system 17:32 Sectional titles and body corporates 18:45 Compliance and safety considerations 20:10 Eskom direct connected customer requirements 21:20 Why registration is the responsibility of the business or homeowner 21:52 Meeting the requirements to get your system registered 22:17 Financing opportunities for solar systems 22:45 Funding solutions for Investec clients 23:18 Cape Town versus Johannesburg: feeding back into the grid 25:32 Energy saving tips 26:08 Increasing energy independence and savings for the future 27:20 How can you prepare for South Africa’s growing water crisis? Listen to the whole Everything Counts series on Investec Focus Radio SA
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Everything Counts | Ep 22: Guide to Going Solar in South Africa
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