South African Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Kgosientso Ramokgopa looks on while monitoring the construction site where temporary smoke stacks are installed at the Kusile Power Station, a coal-fired power plant located on the Hartbeesfontein Farm in Emalahleni on May 22, 2023. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
Ramokgopa will head to China to secure solar panel supply
The Electricity Minister is set to travel to China to negotiate a deal that would provide local installers with a steady supply of solar panels.
South African Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Kgosientso Ramokgopa looks on while monitoring the construction site where temporary smoke stacks are installed at the Kusile Power Station, a coal-fired power plant located on the Hartbeesfontein Farm in Emalahleni on May 22, 2023. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa will jet to China in the coming weeks to strike a deal that would provide South African installers with reliable access to solar panels.
Ramokgopa’s Visit Aims to Ensure Reliable Supply for South African Installers
According to Bloomberg, South Africa only has two major solar panel manufacturers and they have already committed their output to major private sector projects.
Ramokgopa will reportedly meet with China’s six biggest solar equipment manufacturers in an attempt to make importing solar panels easier.
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Given the ongoing load shedding crisis, many South Africans seek to get electricity from alternative sources and stop relying on the State power utility Eskom.
The Electricity Minister said South Africa has up to 66GW of wind and solar projects in the pipeline; more than 5500MW of that capacity could come online in the next three years, per Reuters.
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Government Initiatives and Financing Options
Bloomberg also reported that Ramokgopa has met with South Africa’s four biggest banks to discuss financing options for clients wishing to install solar panels on their rooftops.
The Government Employees Pension Fund is putting the finishing touches on a financing offer for members, and the government is considering options for lower-income households.
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In the 2023 budget speech, the State announced that Individuals would be able to claim a rebate to the value of 25% of the cost of new and unused solar panels, up to a maximum of R15 000 per individual.
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READ: Budget speech: 25% rebate for households that install solar panels
