New Solar Panel Plant Opens In East London

Ikhwezi Solar Energy has invested  1.3 million USD in a solar panel manufacturing plant in East London, Eastern Cape. Even the solar panel factory itself is green – using green building design principles that include a rainwater harvesting system to supply all water requirements, and only natural lighting systems for the factory floor.

Energy Minister Dipuo Peters attended the official opening of the solar panel plant and said that the government was looking into solar water heating (SWH) to supply hot water to under-served communities, especially in rural areas. She added that the Energy department was committed to working with other solar companies like Ikhwezi to support the development of a green economy.

The factory manufactures a state of the art solar collector called the iSun that is among the most effeicient in the solar industry. There are many solar facilities around the world that can produce solar collectors of this calibur, but the iSun is the first of its kind to be made right here in South Africa.

Read more about the iSun HERE

Send us an email to request a quote or set up a solar consultation with one of our experts.

[via SME Times]  [via SESSA News]
 

From Nov. 1st – Dec. 15th you can save R1000 on the purchase of a new iSun solar geyser from Power & Energy Solutions. During this holiday season what better gift for your family and home than one that will keep on giving for years to come. With an iSun solar geyser you will never pay for hot water again. How's that for a Christmas present?

Send us an email to request a solar geyser quote or set up a solar consultation with one of our experts.

How Solar Panels Work

First off the solar panel itself is made up of what we call solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells. These cells do most of the work when it comes to solar panels converting the energy from the sun into electricity. Next up the electricity gets sent through a regulator, also known as a controller. This regulator ensures you send the right amount of solar energy to the batteries for storage. Without this process you could overcharge the batteries and ruin them quickly. Finally, the battery sends the electricty through an inverter which converts it from DC to AC and then it's ready to use for all your power needs. That in short, is how solar panels work.

Diagram of How Solar Panels Work

Send us an email to request a quote or set up a solar consultation with one of our experts.

SOUTH AFRICAN MADE – iSun Solar Water Heating Collector

• International collector design with local manufacture
• Access to leading R&D through internationnal plant manufacturer
• Specialised plant (quality and continuity of supply)
• Locally based manufacturer with significant BBBEE component
• Production scalable up to 1500 collectors per month (on a single shift)
• Collector can be customised to client specificaiton (OEM)

10 YEAR WARRANTY – iSun Solar Water Heating Collector

• Proven longevity and track record (external testing and live site research)
• No quibble – simple warranty / easy to understand
• Quick swap out if required

EXTERNALLY TESTED – iSun Solar Water Heating Collector

• International Solar Keymark and CE certification
• International Fraunhafer institute
• SABS tested

INNOVATION – iSun Solar Water Heating Collector

• Laser welded AI/Cu absorber- Miratherm
• Blue, highly selective PVD coating
• Double wall frame for enhanced insulation

HIGH EFFICIENCY – iSun Solar Water Heating Collector

• High yearly yield
• Low iron tempered solar glass for yield enhancement at low incident angles
• Short pay back time

Send us an email to request a quote or set up a solar consultation with one of our experts.

Solar panels are quickly becoming a preferred energy source in Mpumalanga. To meet consumer demand we are providing Mpumalanga residents with a wide range of solar panel brands and complete solar systems. Solar panels are a pillar of our business and we can provide solar solutions for any application from a single home to major commerical or industrial locations.

Benefits of Solar Panels

• No more electricity bills.
• Energy independence – Power cuts will not effect you.
• Go Green – Clean and renewable energy helps protect the environment.
• Very little maintenence.
• Clean, safe and silent.

Send us an email to request a quote or set up a solar consultation with one of our experts.

Solar Geysers Info – Click Here

Solar power, including solar panels, solar geysers and solar products are sweeping the Mpumalanga province. Consumer demand for solar power is extremely high, and as a major solar supplier in Mpumalanga, we want to be sure and provide a wide range of solar solutions to fit any budget. Below are the major solar power brands we are proud to offer:

Ikhwezi Unplugged: Power & Energy Solutions is the sole distributor of Ikhwezi Unplugged solar panels and solar products for the entire province of Mpumalanga including the iSun solar system/solar geyser.

Solahart: Solahart is one of the leading manufactures of solar hot water systems/solar geysers.

NuPower: NuPower offers a wide range of solar water systems for domestic, industrial and commercial use.
 

Send us an email to request a quote or set up a solar consultation with one of our experts.

Power & Energy Solutions is pleased to announce the launch of a new featured product here in Mpumalnga – the iSun Solar System and Solar Geyser. The demand for quality solar solutions in Mpumalnga is growing rapidly and we insist on offering our customers reliable and affordable solar products to fit all their needs. Power & Energy is the sole distributor of iSun solar products in Mpumalanga and offers supply, installation and maintenence across the board. Here are some key points about the iSun:
 

iSun Solar System / Solar Geyser

• 10 Year Guarantee
• Manufactured In South Africa
• Eskom Rebate Up To R8900

Send us an email to request a quote or set up a solar consultation with one of our experts.

We present the following information in an effort to reduce the complexity of the generator selection process by identifying a few key questions and providing answers that are as simple as the subject matter allows. In no way is the information presented here intended to be an exhaustive treatment of the topic.

Q.
What’s the single most important thing I should consider when buying a generator?
A.
Without a doubt, the most crucial piece of information that you need to know is how much electrical power you will need in your specific situation. Nothing will be more disappointing to you than buying a generator that does not produce adequate power for your needs.

In order to choose the right emergency power source and to size it properly, you need to understand something about the power requirements of the devices you plan to operate.

The basic unit of power measurement is the watt, and with an emergency power source there are two wattage ratings that are important: steady-state wattage and surge wattage. A normal 60-watt incandescent light bulb requires, as you would expect, 60 watts, and it requires that wattage both when you turn it on and while it is running. A ceiling fan motor, on the other hand, might require 150  watts to get it started and 75 watts while it is running. That extra wattage to start the motor is called the surge wattage and is typical of anything that contains an  electric motor. Here are the usual wattages of some of the devices found in a typical household:

One other thing to note is that if you plan to operate sensitive equipment like TV’s and computers from an emergency power supply, you will want to have in place excellent surge protection equipment and, in the case of a computer, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). When a large device like a refrigerator turns on, there is no way that a small generator will be able to keep power  stable during the surge. UPS will prevent your computer from crashing during the blip.

Q.
How do I calculate my power needs?
A.
To calculate your power needs, you need to add up the normal and surge wattage figures for all of the devices you want to operate simultaneously. Here is an example based on the previous table:

If you plan to operate your refrigerator, a colour TV and a microwave simultaneously, you need 2,250 watts continuous and 3,800 watts surge in the worst case (if all three happen to turn on at exactly the same moment). If you are willing to manage your  power a  bit and make sure they do not all turn on at once, then your surge power requirement is only 2,400 watts. If you are willing to operate only one of these devices at a time, then, because your refrigerator is the largest power user, you need to size your  emergency power system so it is large enough to handle the refrigerator.

Q.
Do I require Single or Three-Phase power?
A.
Generator sets produce either single or three-phase power.  Choose a single-phase set if your motors are five horsepower or less. Three-phase power is better for motor starting and running.  Most homeowners require single phase (for small units of 7.5KVA or less),  whereas industrial or commercial applications usually require three-phase power. Three-phase generators are set up to produce 231/400 volts. Single-phase sets are 120/240. Use the low voltage to run domestic appliances and the high voltage  for your motors, heaters, stoves and dryers.

Q.
What are the major parts of a generator?
A.
There are four major components of a generator: the engine which provides the mechanical power, the alternator which is attached to the engine and turns the mechanical energy into electricity, an output/control panel which provides a place for the electrical outlets (receptacles), circuit breakers, and controls (switches), and a metal frame to hold the whole thing together. In  addition to these four major components, there may also be a fuel tank separate from the engine and often mounted on top of the frame.

Q.
What do I need to know about engines?
A.
Your first concern should be the types of fuel they can use. Generators are available with engines that run on gasoline, diesel fuel, liquefied propane (LP) gas, or natural gas.

We recommend diesel generators due to their longevity and lower operating costs. Today’s modern diesels are quiet and normally require much less maintenance than comparably sized gas generators. Fuel costs per kW produced with diesels are normally 30% to 50% less than gas units.

Q.
What do I need to know about alternators?
A.
The alternator is the "business end" of the generator and actually produces the electricity, so it’s important to look for an alternator  that is built to last. Look for an all-metal design because plastic housings can warp over time and cause the moving parts of the alternator to come out of alignment and break or wear excessively. Get an alternator that uses "ball bearings" instead of "needle bearings;" it will last longer. "Brushless" designs require less maintenance and produce cleaner power that is more suitable for electronic equipment.

Q.
How are the generators protected from overload?
A.
All generators feature AC circuit breakers. In the event the unit is overloaded, the circuit breaker will pop out. If this happens, the operator needs to correct the overload condition and then reset the circuit breaker by pressing it back in again.

Q.
Can I run the generator inside my home?
A.
NO! A generator has an internal combustion engine and uses gas and oil. The exhaust from running the generator contains lethal carbon monoxide. Therefore, this unit should always be placed in a well ventilated area.

Q.
Can the generator be used during inclement weather?
A.
Generators obviously are used in a wide variety of weather conditions, but they should be protected from the elements to prevent shorting  and rusting. Protection for the unit must be provided in a manner that does not impede the air flow to the unit needed for cooling both the engine and generator head.

More Information On Our Generators Here – Power & Energy Solutions Generators

View Our Solar Geysers