M a r k e t N e w s

Solar power rule heats up market for equipment vendors

Posted on : Monday , 28th July 2014

Solar equipment vendors have seen an upturn in business as property developers move to comply with a new law meant to cut electricity costs. The Energy (Solar Water Heating) Regulations 2012 require builders of residential and commercial houses to include solar water heating systems in their designs. The regulations affect units whose hot water needs exceed 100 litres per day and also require existing premises with no solar heaters to have them retrofitted by 2017.

“Our sales have been good in recent days. Developers are now more interested in solar water heaters which are replacing instant hot shower heads,” Powerpoint EA Ltd product line manager Eric Muturi said. Although solar water heaters can help households save up to 20 per cent on energy used per day, the upfront costs of installation slows down the uptake. (READ: Developers put on notice as solar power rules take effect) The cost of a complete solar water heater system for domestic use could be between Sh125, 000 and Sh150, 000 while that for commercial buildings between Sh600, 000 and Sh2 million depending on the water handling capacity.

“Investors are turning to green energy such as the sun because it is reliable, safer and cheaper in the long run,” Chloride Exide Kisumu regional manager Eshmael Indeche said. Developers especially of gated communities see the solar heaters as a solution to reducing the service charge which is slapped on residents. “We are saving Sh30, 000 per month on power bills since converting from instant hot showers to solar water heaters,” Groovehut Apartments manager Samuel Opiyo said. The estate installed solar water heaters with a capacity of 1, 800 litres.

Erratic supply and rising costs of electricity is pushing real estate players to adopt green energy, a trend likely to gather pace with the increase in VAT on electricity from 12 per cent to 16 per cent. The shift has hurt the business of firms which supply instant hot shower heads with some of them contemplating to start stocking solar water heaters. The energy law makes it an offence for developers to fail to incorporate energy saving technology in buildings. Kenya Power has also been directed not to connect power to new buildings that lack solar water heating systems. But the power firm said it was still having discussions before it could start implementing the directive.

“We are still discussing at policy level,” Kenya Power communications officer Kevin Sang said. HABITAT, the UN human settlement agency, is advocating for eco-friendly building practices in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Buildings account for 40 per cent of global energy consumption in cooling, lighting and heating according to the UN which is calling on counties to only award permits to property developers with eco-friendly architecture plans.

Source : altenergymag.com
Featured Companies
  • dubaiexporters.com

Complete List  

Advertisers in previous issue:

  • Manufacturer refrigerated-type air dryer, desiccant air dryer and compressed air in-line filter.
  • A world leading name in Heat Transfer Technology
  • Pumping solutions, a technological potential.
  • Used Machinery
  •  SOVEMA is the worldwide leading supplier of machinery for lead-acid battery production.
  • KJV is a professionally managed group in distribution & transmission sector involved in executing contracts
  • From a modest beginning in 1955, the IGP Group today provides over 50 products and services to the core sector.
  • Prisma s.r.l. is an industrial reality, qualified in the study and the production of automatic doors for lift.
  • Suppliers of generators for every application
  • South African incinerator and cremator designer and manufacturer making significant inroads into overseas markets.
  • Air Conditioning Hire
  • Lavorwash is a world-leader in manufacturing high pressure cleaners and vacuum cleaners for household and professional use.
  • Manufacturing and marketing "aira" brand Valve Automation Products
  • YorPower Kenya was established in 2002. From our headquarters in Nairobi we sell Diesel Generators manufactured by our parent company,
  • All type conveyor belts for internal & external location tapis roulant de tout genre pous deplacement a l
  • Manufacturer of heavy duty machinery
  • We have been at the forefront of plate heat exchanger technology.
  •  JS Electromec Ltd,(JSE Ltd) are registered Electrical contractors and Suppliers of Lighting and Power solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications in Tanzania.
  • Dedicated to the Engineering Manufacturing Sector in India
  •  Magazine for Africa
  • Bakery Equipment, Flour Mill, Bread Improver, Dried Fruit Processing machine
  • Speco Ltd. is the leading manufacturer & supplier of Asphalt Mixing Plant, Concrete Batching Plant, Crushing Plant & Optimized Integrated Flue Gas Treatment System.
  • EMI has a qualified and dedicated team of managers with vast experience in their respective areas of work.
Afrotrade International Marketing, Tel: +971-50-6285684
© 1998-2025 Afrotrade