Hot Water for Joe Slovo Residents Courtesy of the Sun and DANIDA

Cooperating with nature and other countries has seen Joe Slovo - a high density flagship housing settlement of the Department - being provided with solar water panels to heat its residents' geyser water.

Since heating water is typically the biggest consumer of energy in ordinary households, this will mean a significant saving in energy costs for its residents.

The geysers have come at no cost to the residents of this low-income settlement in Langa. They are also installed for free and given a five-year maintenance guarantee.

The R18 million funding from DANIDA - the Danish International Development Agency - will allow all 2 639 units at Joe Slovo to be fitted with a solar panel. Thus far 588 residential units have already had geysers installed, tested and signed off, and the residents are very happy with this new feature in their energy landscape, as it saves them up to 40 % of their monthly energy costs.

Of course, using solar energy means that Joe Slovo will not add to our province's already overburdened electrical grid, and thus be doing its bit in decreasing the carbon emissions that are emitted by South Africa's coal-reliant method of electrical production.

The homeowner is assured of an optimally functioning unit, as after installation of the geyser, an inspector checks that the geyser was installed properly, that the water is connected properly and that it is hot.

The unit - which can hold a maximum of 110 litres - comes with a 5-year guarantee against defects on the geyser itself. Any complaints that the homeowner has can be directed at Sobambisana, the electrical sub-contractor who does the actual installation.

After 5 years the guarantee finishes and the maintenance of the solar panel becomes the responsibility of the owner.

It is not connected to electricity at all, which is why it is so cost-effective for the consumer. With South Africa's typically sunny weather conditions it is highly unlikely that there will not be enough UV light to heat water, as UV light penetrates through clouds.