Page 27 - FWG_Issue 6_2022

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Photo by Vije Vijendranath on Unsplash

Photo by Jackery Power Station Photo by Andrea Davis

internet connections, range in price from For around R3 000 (Takealot), you can get a – carry enough power to charge your
around R700 to R2 000, depending on their TG 1500 W sine wave inverter, which can be smartphone, tablet, computer and small
capacity. And they’re available from most charged via mains or solar panels and will appliances. And there’s no installation of
tech specialist retailers. power bigger appliances. any kind needed because all the power
points you need are on board. You can pick
3. Small-scale solar 4. Got gas? one up at a camping store for between
A solar-powered geyser is a great start. Gas appliances are relatively affordable R6 000 and R7 000.
Getting one installed will probably cost and come in many shapes and sizes. You
you between R15 000 and R20 000. But can pick up a two-plate gas burner stove LED lanterns, also available at most
you don’t need to go quite so large to take for under R400 at most major retailers for reputable camping shops, are excellent
advantage of solar power. You can do it in basic cooking purposes. Gas lighting is also light sources powered by lithium batteries.
smaller ways. affordable and easy to set up. You’ll find Certain brands also come with built-in USB
loads of options online or in camping shops. ports, which are handy for charging your
Start with the outdoors. Solar lights cell phone. And most LED lights are easy
that soak up the sun in your garden are If you want to take it one step further, to charge via USB or (in some cases) they
affordable and readily available at garden consult an expert to see which of your come with optional solar attachments.
centres and DIY retailers. You can also use appliances can be converted to gas. Certain
a touch of solar power to keep your TV, fridges and geysers, for example, can run on Let the light shine
computer, cell phone and a light or two on gas. It might be worthwhile to take stock of Other than our load-shedding-driven
using a small UPS. everything you need to power and consider discontent, we South Africans are also known
a combination of gas and solar energy if for our resilience and resourcefulness. With
These vary in size and cost. For a small, you’re on a budget. those attributes driving us to find simple
solar-powered 84W/h kit from Ellies (found solutions to complicated problems, we can
on loot.co.za), you’re in for around R1 300. 5. Go camping equip ourselves to set aside the annoyance
This type of unit is good enough for light Even if roughing it isn’t really for you, and take back the power (no, that’s not a
but won’t power major appliances. Around camping gear can be pretty helpful during metaphor)!
R700 - R800 more will get you a similar unit power outages. Portable power stations –
with enough juice to charge your laptop. like the Jackery Explorer 250, for example It’s the little things that count.

Fourways Gardens • 25 • July 2022