This topical interview with Ross Mains-Sheard, Co-Founder and CEO of Versofy SOLAR and HOT FM came about as a result of our recent article titled SA households have the power to turn the tide on load shedding.Â
The crux of this discussion is around our belief that South African households can reduce their dependence on the national grid by tapping into the abundant potential of solar energy. Despite a gloomy 2023 for South Africa’s national grid, there were also some promising signs of cooperation and engagement between the private sector and government.
The National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM), framed under a partnership with Business for South Africa and backed by over 130 CEOs of the country’s leading companies, is a step in the right direction.
As well as two other key areas we feel:
1. With the solar energy incentives cut from the 2024 budget, consumers need to embrace solar as not just a necessity or a social conscience purchase, but also one that will help adjust the GDP deficit from load shedding, that according to the South African Reserve Bank, was reduced in 2023 by an approximate 1,8 percentage points.
2. This, together with the potential of a national feed-in tariff framework, has the potential to be game changers locally. We’re already seeing this successfully implemented by the City of Cape Town whose Mayor recently posted “Businesses & households have already earned over R25.8 million selling excess electricity back to the City! Cape Town’s Cash for Power is putting money in residents’ pockets & fighting load-shedding! Sign up before 8 March if you want to take part.”
Take the first step by exploring our affordable Solar-As-A-Service/ Monthly Rental packages here.
Also Read: RENT-TO-OWN SOLAR – THE BENEFITS OF PAYING FOR SOLAR OVER TIME
