Eskom has launched a rebate scheme for  smaller renewable energy technologies includingrenewable energy, wind,  hydro and others.  It will start with a pilot phase over 3 years with a target of 10MW over this period with initially allowed project sizes from 10KWp to maximum 1MWp. It is hoped that in due course smaller system sizes will also be included.

The program will be rolled out in terms of Eskom IDM’s Standard Offer Program (SOP), and later also in terms of the IDM Standard Product program. There will be additional requirements over and above the existing SOP process. The proposed rebate is pegged at R1.20 per kwh over a 3-year period, with a disbursement as per SOP rules ( 70% on commissioning, ther after 10% at end of years 1,2 and 3). A Measurement and Verification (M & V) procedure will apply, which will likely include a 2-3 month baseline study to determine the projected energy savings over the 3 years and thus the overall rebate amount. Systems will, amongst others, have to meet the following criteria:

Only equipment installed on the host customer’s side of the meter will be eligible.

Systems must be new and in compliance with all applicable performance and safety standards (applicable to all components of the installation).

Initially only stand-alone systems (i.e. applications that are not grid tied) will be considered, which must replace an existing or planned grid connection/supply therefore substituting energy that would have been drawn from the grid. These stand-alone systems may be autonomous ( no power drawn from the grid) or installations where the PV system may be supplemented by power from the grid. No energy may be exported back into the grid. The agricultural sector is also included in the SOP which means that solar water pumps which replace existing and planned grid-powered pumps will qualify for the rebate .

Rebated grid tied systems are NOT included initially, as these are still subject to discussion involving Eskom, NERSA and local authorities / electricity utilities. It is hoped that grid-tie systems will be given the rebate go-ahead soon . They must comply with all Regulatory and embedded generation interconnection requirements. Where relevant a letter from the relevant local authority / electricity utility will be required as part of the application to confirm their knowledge and acceptance of the (proposed/designed) connection onto the network.

Source SESSA

Picture: Sola Panels