Eskom “to take a step back and let municipalities purchase their own electricity”. Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said green energy is the future and called for diversification of energy supply at a media event on 12 December where DA leaders visited small business owners in the city centre to hear what the impact of load shedding is on them.
He estimated that for a smaller business to set up with solar power would require an initial investment of between R400,000 and R2- million, making it unfeasible for most. Businesses that need about 5kW per hour and work with a battery could pay about R130,000 to get started, whereas they would need to invest about R500,000 to go off the grid completely.
She said eight-hour days end up being 16-hour days, and load shedding caused production delays and played havoc with planning and schedules. Stefan Ortmann, sales manager at Treetops Renewable Energy Systems, a Cape Town-based solar company, said inquiries always peaked during load shedding.Once load shedding hits, everyone is reminded that with a solar system this issue would not persist.”
True it is costly. However, should the aim not be broader, like 'becoming less grid dependent'? By stating to look at consumption and replacing electrical goods with alternative stuff. While maintaining standard of living of course.
When companies go off the grid do they lower their product prices after 36 months
Costly to whom