Browsing by Subject "solar energy"

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    Open Access
    Examining the challenges to the adoption of solar energy technologies by subtropical fruit producers in the Tzaneen Region in Limpopo Province
    (2026) Chauke, Hlulani; Terblanche, Rolien
    This study explores the barriers to the adoption of solar energy technologies in the subtropical fruit producers operating in the Tzaneen region Limpopo Province South Africa. The objective of this study is to identify the barriers to solar technology adoption in agriculture. Fruit producers were used as a sample, and interviews were conducted with eight producers to provide qualitative data and validate the experiences and perspectives of the producers themselves. The findings also identify several significant barriers including substantial initial costs, insufficient technical support and lack of awareness about available subsidies. Moreover, socio-economic factors and reliance on the national grid inhibit movement to renewable energy sources. Producers acknowledge the potential long-term benefits of solar energy; however acute financial limitations continue to pose a substantial obstacle to its adoption. With this study, the knowledge of renewable energy usage in agricultural practices has advanced which will offer helpful information for decision-makers and rural extension services. This underscores some of the unique challenges faced by Tzaneen region producers and reflects the need for tailored supporting mechanisms that can promote sustainable energy use and ultimately strengthen agricultural resilience and sustainability.
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    Open Access
    A review of the solar home system concession programme in South Africa
    (2010) Wlokas, Holle Linnea
    Since the introduction of the solar home system (SHS) concession programme in 1999, the involved companies and customers have had to adapt to many changes over the years. Government introduced for example the Free Basic Electricity policy in alongside the SHS subsidy and only irregularly awarded tenders for the actual installation of SHSs; companies have split and concession areas have been renegotiated. Despite these changing conditions, some companies have managed to stay in business and are still willing to install systems for new customers. The questions are: who managed to adapt to these changes, and what do the business models of the companies look like? Rural electrification remains a challenge for government and the private sector. High connection costs, low consumption rates and high poverty rates constrain the roll-out of electricity in rural areas. The SHS concession programme was introduced with the objective to "speed up universal access to electricity", and aimed to "attract larger, better organised private companies with their own sources of financing" in the hope that "the strong financial and maintenance control characteristic of the private sector should facilitate the channelling of international development funding". The programme was also meant to motivate the service providers to "adopt a delivery model that promotes a range of fuels such as gas or kerosene, in addition to SHS or mini-grid systems" (Kotze, 2000). Earlier research has been helpful in identifying shortcomings of the programme (for example Energy Research Centre, 2005 and Energy Research Centre, 2004) but, in order to advise policy makers, it is of particular interest to examine the survival strategies the SHS companies adopted.