Page 41 - Energize October 2021

VIEWS AND OPINION

Key messages from the online Household Energy Survey • Achieve emission reduction targets: If properly integrated into
• The price of PV continues to drop worldwide. As high upfront cost is shown the municipal electricity grid, rooftop PV systems can help
as a deterrent to investment, this price drop will increase the rate of cities to attain their emission reduction targets.
investments in rooftop PV. • Fair play: Municipalities and consumers need to work together
• Similarly, as leasing structures for rooftop PV become more readily available to ensure that increased private investment in rooftop PV
to homeowners and provide them with the opportunity to pay off the capital benefits us all.
costs over time, investments in rooftop PV will increase.
• Investment in rooftop PV is, and will continue to be, area specific. This Conclusion
trend will become more pronounced in the future because of the interplay The WWF-SA survey, undertaken with the Centre for Renewable
between affluence and familiarity. and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) at Stellenbosch
• The very low level of residential PV system registrations makes it impossible University, is part of an in-depth investigation into the impact
for municipalities to optimally plan and operate their distribution grid. This of increased investment by the private sector in decentralised
has an impact on overall system effectiveness and safety. It also affects renewable energy technologies on the existing electricity
municipalities’ tariff design, which in turn affects their income, and as such distribution system at municipal level in South Africa.
their financial sustainability going forward. At risk is the long-term financial sustainability of
municipalities, as increased private rooftop PV investments
Striking a balance for a sustainable future and self-electricity generation results in diminished revenue for
• A new way of operating: The transition of the centralised electricity sector municipalities. Municipalities will need to adapt and re-adjust
to decentralised, sustainable energy production is leading to a structural their revenue and service models to ensure a secure grid and
change in the electricity industry. The new challenges require municipalities long-term financial sustainability. This will require of them to
to re-evaluate how they generate enough revenue to ensure long-term develop new workable models that can address both technical
sustainability of our cities and towns. and financial challenges in the short-, medium-, and long-term.
• Ensure sustainable municipalities: To manage, grow and maintain the A key output of this project is a decision-making tool that
electrical infrastructure, municipalities need to plan with knowledge of all is under development and will be refined and tested with
generation systems on the electricity grid. municipalities to assist them in understanding the systemic
• Create a safe grid: The concentration of unregistered PV systems could dynamics of electricity provision at municipal level and support
have major consequences for a municipality’s finances, grid maintenance, their decision-making.
safety and reliability. Registered PV systems, which are properly and safely
integrated into the electricity grid, ensure safety and can support overall Acknowledgement
system resilience. This study was funded by the WWF Nedbank Green Trust

About CRSES
The Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies
(CRSES) at Stellenbosch University was established in
2007 as the national hub for postgraduate programmes in
renewable and sustainable energy (RE) through a grant from
the Department of Science and Technology. The centre has
a dual purpose: the training of scientists and engineers with
the required technical expertise to unlock the country’s
RE resources, and the implementation of appropriate
technologies for the sustainable use of RE. The centre acts as
a central point of entry into Stellenbosch University for the
general field of RE. The work of the centre focuses on contract
research, postgraduate modules in RE and the coordination of
other training courses in RE. Some contract research projects
are completed within the centre while others are channelled
to the relevant academic departments or research groups of
the University. http://www.crses.sun.ac.za

About WWF South Africa
WWF South Africa is part of the WWF network, an
independent conservation organisation active in nearly 100
countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the
Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which
humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s
biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural
resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of
pollution and wasteful consumption. https://www.wwf.org.za

Contact Louise Scholtz, WWF South Africa, lscholtz@wwf.org.za

energize | October 2021 | 39