ZRW Mechanika_misconceptions

Overcoming the Misconceptions about Solar Technology

In our investigations it was found that over the last 4-6 years other solar systems have previously entered the African market . The results have been less than ideal. The apparent failure of these systems has resulted in an apparent mistrust or lack of confidence with solar energy. On closer scrutiny we wish to report that these systems failed due to amongst other factors:

1. Little understanding of the needs (usage time, etc)

2. Little understanding of the environment (Available sunlight, user-operability, simplicity, ergonomics)

3. Was merely a financial exercise of bringing weak products from overseas and dumping it in South Africa?

4. Little understanding of the technology and international developments. In our case we are involved in the developments and have spent significant funds to develop and push the technology frontier for this product. We have gone to the different countries, engaged, designed and operated on their production lines to get to the current solution. Furthermore, over the last 4 years, the technology of LEDs, deep cycle energy storage and solar cell absorptivity has improved exponentially, bringing costs down including manufacturing costs for solar cell technology. The product warranties and reliability has doubled.

5. No interest to be involved after the sale. We want to install the product in low cost housing projects and educate the users and wish to establish corporate social investment.

6. Little exposure of the market. Our product is being deployed in Kenya and Nigeria and others.

7. Outrageous profit mongering. Our product costs half of some of the pricing we have established in the market since we are volume driven and work on much lower margins – Rands/Watt.

More Questions about Solar Technology

How does solar energy work?
Solar energy is from the sun, it requires not other external power supply or source. Energy from the sun is captured through a solar panel and stored in device such as a battery. From the storage device the energy is used for various applications including lighting, cooking and heating in a manner very simple to what we used to from power originating from the power stations. Unlike solar hot water geysers, that use the black body emissivity principle of capturing heat, solar panels do not require sunlight with high heat content. In fact this not desirable.

What is the difference between off-grid and on-grid solutions?

There have been much debate about which solar solution offers the best alternative energy solution particularly for Africa. Off-grid are generally standalone, rapidly deployed systems, plug and play and immediately delivers the energy for lights, cooking, etc. Solar hot water geysers are off-grid solutions. They do not couple to the power grid or AC supply from your utilities (ESKOM). Off grid solutions are either single unit based (i.e. for each house) or in power-clusters (for a few houses). On-grid solutions are large power generation solar farms or wind farms that generate MegaWatts and feed back into the grid. These solutions take longer to setup, cost significantly more, and have significant regulatory and technical challenges. At ZRW Mechanika we have for a while maintained that the solution to the energy crisis in South Africa and other developing countries can immediately, cost effectively and sustainably be solved using an off-grid solutions. This can also ensure, as in the case of our developments, that a local solution is found for a local challenge, rather than mass import of expensive solutions from the developed countries. There is no empowerment, local content or local enterprise development.

What are the benefits of solar energy?

Solar energy is safe from a usage perspective since it is DC driven, it is renewable, it is clean, it is environmentally friendly and it is in abundance. Furthermore, using LEDs for lighting also makes the usage recyclable and highly reliable. Solar energy generally requires an initial capital purchase for the system, then with a reliable system there could be almost maintenance free usage for 15 to 20 years, depending on the quality of the system you have. As a result, one will find that the cost of solar energy when amortised over the life of the system is up to 10x cheaper than grid power.

Is solar energy dependable?
The efficacy and quality of energy from your solar system is primarily dependant on 4 factors, namely: the quality of the energy capturing device (how much energy can the solar panel get), the quality of the storage device, the control of the energy usage from the storage device, and the quality of the energy usage device (such as the amount of lumens of light that a LED can provide per Watt of power). At ZRW Mechanika we are the development engineers that have optimised, developed and designed the systems we sell, hence we have ensured the maximum benefit from each of these factors have been incorporated into our product. Furthermore, solar panels can last up to 20 years and our LED lights last up to 50 000 hours as apposed to 800hours for normal globes. All solar systems also come with light sensors in order to ensure that they operate in the dark and generate power in the day. Our systems have standby for cloudy or no-sun days and operate continuously for up to 12 hours at a time.

How do I know what system to buy?

Speak to ZRW Mechanika, since we are the design engineers , we will look at your requirements and match the correct system to your needs. We have designed each system both with usage and price in mind.

How does solar lighting compare to normal AC power lighting?

In the table under the Products Page we compare incandescent lights to Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) to Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting. The benefits in terms of Lumens/Watt, environmental friendliness and heat dissipation is clearly in favour of LED lighting. Furthermore, development in solar energy over the last 4 years makes solar much more cost effective compared to AC power.

What is the life of the solar panel, battery and LED?
Typically our Solar panels have been designed and manufactured to last up to 20 years. Like all things age diminishes power, so naturally ANY solar panel will reduce its intake power capability over time, We have built in this safety factor in order to ensure over the life of beneficial usage the solar panel is still able to deliver to its system requirements. The LEDs last up 50000 hours. Depending on whether a deep cycle Pb-Acid battery or Ni-MH battery is selected, it can last up to 5 years.

What appliances can I use with solar energy?

Remember the 4 things that determine the effectiveness of your solar energy system. If your solar panel is large enough to capture the necessary power of the appliances and the battery can sufficiently store that power you can use a TV, DVD, lights, fan and even a refrigerator with solar power. If you using an existing AC appliance that would ordinarily run on 220V then you need to use an inverter. This costs more to have. If you have a 9V-12V appliance such as a fan, than it can be run directly from a charge controller, with no need for an inverter. So it depends on the appliance type and power rating.

Can I get financing for my purchase?

Yes!

Initial purchase of Solar Systems may be costly. Therefore, ZRW has negotiated with several Financial Services Institutions and agencies and is able to offer financing for the purchase of ZRW products that is underwritten by Lendcor. The application for financing is relatively simple and once documentation is approved the customer may take delivery of the ZRW merchandise. For more information click here.

Any other questions about our solar products may be directed to ZRW at

enquiries@zrwmechanika.co.za

sales1@zrwmechanika.co.za

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