After several  months of investigation, the outcome is what most South Africans expected. The rebate does not have any impact on what the consumer pays but put more money in the suppliers pocket!

The fact is most companies that offer the Eskom Solar Rebate inflate the price of the entire system. We have done our homework and compared apples with apples only to find that a system that Hi Temp Solar installs is sometimes up to 50% lower priced than that of a system installed by an Eskom accredited company.

How is this possible?

1. Companies that are accredited by Eskom must have their complete solar systems tested and approved by SABS even if they have a CE approval. These tests can take up to 6 months and cost anything from R45,000.
2. There are at least 1/2 a dozen different installation options which means that each set-up must be tested and approved by SABS.

With just the two above points the costs are astronomical and someone has to pay for this. This cost value is passed onto the consumer which naturally increases the entire installation costs.

So to put this all in a nut shell-

• If we supply you with a solar system that IS NOT Eskom
• Accredited the cost will be on average R10500 incl. VAT.
• If we supply you with a Solar System that IS Eskom Accredited the cost will be on average R17800

You would then need to complete the Eskom Claim form and submit it and wait for about 20-25% rebate. Who know how long the rebate payout will take? When you eventually do get the rebate paid back to you will be in a position where you will still have paid more for a Non Eskom Accredited system! FACT!!!

Eskom rebates on solar water heating systems

Eskom’s Solar Water Heating Programme, introduced at the beginning of 2008, has undergone a major change that brings it into line with international practice.

With immediate effect consumer rebates will now be paid directly to consumers and not to the installing supplier. In order to claim the rebate for the system fitted by approved Eskom suppliers, the purchaser will submit a claim for the rebate to Eskom’s auditors who are facilitating and monitoring the process.

The rebate system is not in anyway exclusive. The requirements of a supplier to sell systems that qualify for rebates are the following:

• Be able to offer a 5 year guarantee
• Submit documents, including public liability and company details
• Have system tested AND passed at the SABS for the following;
  • Safety
  • Mechanical
  • Thermal

The choice of what systems are submitted for testing is solely up to the supplier.

Important: No rebates are paid for systems which were installed before your system, your supplier or your installer were registered on the programme.

Chairperson of the Energy Intensive User Group, Ian Lanridge, says Eskom should urgently review how it plans to fund an expansion project aimed at avoiding repeats of blackouts that shut down mines in 2008.

Lanridge says that Eskom should consider selling an existing power plant to close a funding shortfall. Members of his group, including units of BHP Billiton and Anglo American, has reduced output in 2008 after Eskom limited electricity supplies.

Eskom is proposing to increase tariffs by 35% a year for three years to improve its ability to borrow funds for expansion. However, even if that is approved, Eskom still faces a shortfall of about R30 billion in its R385 billion five-year expansion.

Yesterday, Business Unity South Africa CEO Jerry Vilakazi warned that Eskom’s proposed 35% tariff hikes could cost SA 200 000 jobs and delay the economy’s recovery from recession. A 35% hike!

http://www.hitemp.co.za