SOLAR WATER GEYSERS

Solar water heaters, or solar geysers as they are commonly known, are in great demand as they are more energy-efficient than their electrical counterparts. While the industry has grown locally and various manufacturers are producing products that are certified by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), there is a lag when it comes to locally manufactured components.

In accordance with the pronouncements by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, 70% of the components of solar water geysers need to be locally sourced and manufactured. If these requirements are met, there is huge potential for job creation and further industry growth in South Africa and on the continent.

The SABS acknowledges that some manufacturers have their products tested and certified as part of a product certification scheme, however it is the local content verification element that is missing. Currently there are no local solar water geysers that meet the local content requirements. The main components of a solar water geyser are the collector, the heat transfer system and the storage vessel.

Manufacturers of components for solar water geysers can have their parts verified as part of the SABS local content grading scheme.

www.sabs.co.za