Aweh dearly beloved fellow ruminants & groupies
My initial title for today’s blog was, “Ruminations of a solar system Nazi”, but then I remembered one of my fierce German blog critics. This would be a macroaggression and I would be harshly and justly scolded for an inappropriate title. However, within the warm bosom of our household, both micro and macroaggressions are tolerated, and sometimes, I’m ashamed to say, even encouraged. So, in our household, I am known as the solar system Nazi.
This week, as has become routine in 2023, we have the pleasure of enjoying stage 6 load shedding in South Africa. Today we have no power for about 10 hours. In January this year, I lost all my mirth and now I know why. Load shedding was accused number one. So, In February, our solar system was installed. I am pleased to report this has greatly contributed to the return of my mirth.
For the technically minded we have 10 kW of solar panels, an 8-kW inverter, and 10 kWhr of batteries. I ruthlessly got rid of unnecessary energy-hogging appliances like electric heaters and bought blankets and jerseys (sweaters or pullovers for non-South African readers). Only kidding, a swift, painful, and early death would have followed if I had done that. We used gas heaters and our wood-burning stove during the winter. The electric oven however was excluded from the system, so we can’t eat cake during load shedding. As for washing machines, the dishwasher, and the pool pump, they are only allowed to operate when the sun is shining.
During stage 6, we endure four-hour intervals of power cuts, prompting me, the solar system zealot, to patrol the house, turning off unnecessary lights and appliances. My younger son, Connor, finds my actions somewhat ridiculous, as we have yet to come close to depleting our batteries.
While our electricity consumption from the utility company, City Power, has decreased by roughly a third, resulting in some savings, it doesn’t necessarily justify the system’s cost, especially when considering the finite lifespans of components like the inverter and batteries, which will require replacement at some point. Solar panels, on the other hand, have a longer lifespan.
There are critics who argue that solar systems don’t make economic sense. To them, I offer the analogy that they could potentially halve their food expenses by subsisting on mielie meal (maize meal), pumpkins, cabbages, bananas, bread, and peanut butter. That, indeed, would be economically prudent. Strangely, my well-intentioned suggestion is not warmly received. What value do we place on our mirth? How much electricity do we truly need? On one end, there are those unconstrained by budgetary concerns who opt for larger solar systems with little regard for the cost. Be prepared to pay a hefty sum. On the other end, there are those who meticulously assess their actual electricity needs. And, of course, there’s the majority who simply cannot afford solar systems, resorting instead to embracing government services. Let them eat cake and vote for the government.
The first 500W of electricity is priceless; it powers your router, some lights, your alarm system, computers, and the TV, ensuring the blog continues unabated. A substantial portion of your mirth is restored. Adding another 1 kW allows your fridges and freezers to function, illuminates more rooms, and operates garage door motors. Enjoying nicely chilled beer brings even greater mirth. With an 8-kW inverter, you can operate coffee machines, hair dryers (apparently essential), microwaves, and other appliances, though not all at once. We’ve managed to trip our inverter a couple of times. Apart from baking cakes, mirth is nearly fully restored. Cake is overrated anyway.
The scale at which solar systems are being installed in South Africa is simply staggering. In March last year installed solar PV capacity was about 950 MW. Since then, an additional 3400 MW has been added, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. A stroll through my neighbourhood this morning revealed that most houses now sport solar panels. We are on the path to becoming a global leader in solar PV installations, allowing us to engage in some virtue signalling regarding our green credentials.
So, what does this mean for Johannesburg, the city we call home? Sadly, the distribution infrastructure has been neglected, necessitating significant investments. However, City Power finds itself burdened with a staggering R 9 billion ($474 million) in debt, and it is incurring a monthly loss of R400 million. Good-paying customers are purchasing less electricity from City Power, raising concerns about the future maintenance and refurbishment of infrastructure. Is my mirth at risk?
Electricity and mirth are related but it is not a linear relation and because I’m a nerdy engineer I have solved the electricity mirth differential equation which is a fundamental property of the universe. You can see it in the featured image, and my mirth level currently stands at 95%.
One can understand why government ministers, exempt from load shedding, maintain a 100% mirth level. If they were to lose their mirth, it would be a grave matter.
Now that my research into the electricity-mirth index has reached its conclusion, I am immersed in further research on the water-mirth index and the sewage-mirth index. It appears that water and sewage treatment also have an impact on one’s mirth. As the grand culmination of my life’s work, I hope to one day unify all these mirth indices into a grand unified theory of mirth.
I want to express my gratitude for all the ideas and comments received. I genuinely appreciate them, and please continue to share your thoughts.
Regards
Bruce
Ruminant Pink Friday 
Home solar doesn’t make sense in South Africa. The reason is that most households cannot match their consumption to what they’re generating during the day so most of the electricity you generate during the day is simply earthed. In more developed countries the power is sent into the grid where it is distributed to places that can use it. Unfortunately, even this solution is problematic as it can cause havoc with base load power production (large scale electricity distribution is REALLY hard).
Putting that aside, the simple cost of installing solar panels today vs the actual savings they generate makes the whole thing seem like yet another means of virtue signalling and a show of wealth. A 500w panel costs about R7000 to buy and install if you’re lucky. The Rand value of what this panel will generate is about R5 per day IF YOU USE ALL THE ELECTRICITY IT GENERATES EVERYDAY (which you won’t because your appliances work intermittently).
Rooftop solar is an awful idea. Its an outgrowth from the capitalist notion that markets can solves all of humanity’s self-inflicted wounds. In its basest form, it’s the incongruous idea that we can somehow consume our way out of environmental disaster by buying more efficient products (or in this case, generate our own electricity irrespective of the cost). In South Africa its probably also a form of protest by the rich against our incompetent government.
If it’s done right, solar can be part of the energy mix in the national grid to supplement supply. Unfortunately, that’s not the answer most rich folks want to hear. So we carry on installing these monstrosities on our roofs at enormous economic and environmental costs so that our hairdryers can work during level 6 loadshedding. Yey!
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Thank you for your comment. As I discussed in my blog this is not about whether this makes economic sense. Electricity (to me) is worth much more than what CityPower charges for it. CityPower also regularly has long unscheduled outages. We can then cope using our solar system. Sitting without power is not something that is of interest to me. It is worth it to me and it is explicitly not a protest against the government. It is also much better than a noisy and polluting generator.
As I also said in my blog eating good food is also not economically sensible. You can eat cheap nutritional food and save money. I choose not to.
Finally capitalism is much better than the alternative.
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