Solar Panels Reduce Electricity Bill at Pevensey Place
Thu, 1 July 2010
“We can already see the reduction in our electricity bill. The money we save can now be used to provide other essential services to our residents.” - Director
Progress Report 1: Pevensey Place- Solar heating system for a home for the disabled
Pevensy Place is a residential farm that houses 76 adults with cerebral palsy. The residents at the farm assist the staff with the daily activities at the farm including working with cattle and chickens; assisting other residents with more severe disabilities; or helping in the kitchen and the laundry. Pevensey Place believes that these activities serve to give residents a sense of purpose and self-worth.
Through this project Pevensey Place began the conversion of its heating system to renewable energy in order to avoid the frequent power cuts and increasing cost of electricity. The conversion started with the installation of four of the 13 units required for the several buildings that accommodate the residents. The four units funded through SASIX serve specifically identified areas that use the most power, namely the ladies bathrooms and the farm’s kitchen and laundry.
The installation of the four solar panels was completed in March 2010.
Activities and Outcomes
- Four solar panels were purchased from a local producer
- The old geysers were removed by sub-contracted builders
- The four solar panels were installed in the ladies bathrooms, the kitchen, and the laundry room in March 2010
The installation of the four solar panels has resulted in a 35% reduction in Pevensey Place's electricity bill.
Expenditure
The total budget for this project was R50,000 which has been paid in full.
| Description | Budget | Expenditure |
| 3 x 200LT conversion (plus tubes, manifold, reflector plate and conversion panel) | 32 000 | 32 000 |
| 1 x 150 conversion (plus tuber, manifold and reflector plate) | 9 570 | 9 570 |
| Installation, travelling and labour costs | 8 430 | 8 430 |
| TOTAL | 50 000 | 50 000 |
Pevensey place will spend an extra R6000 from its reserves for repairs after one of the panels was struck by lightning and to install lightning conductors on all four solar panels to prevent future damage.
Challenges
- One of the solar panels was struck by lightning soon after being installed
- The remote location of Pevensey Place meant that it took some time for the supplier to attend to the repairs after the lightning damage
- Lightning conductors were added to the budget to prevent future damage during thunder storms
- There have been problems with supplying the ladies’ bathrooms with enough hot water in the morning as Pevensey Place is still trying to get the balance between using electricity and solar power right.
Monitoring and evaluation
The installation was monitored on site by the Director. He was on sight every day and ensured that installation works aligned with quality standards and did not cause unnecessary disruption for the residents. The Director has decided to install lightning conductors to protect the solar panels from future lightning storms.
Savings on the electricity bill are being monitored by the financial administrator. Since the installation of the solar panels, Pevensey Place has seen a 35% reduction in their electricity bill.
Conclusions
Four solar panels have been successfully installed at Pevensely Place. There are already indications that this will ease the financial burden on the home, with a 35% saving off the monthly electricity bill. The residents also now have a supply of heat even when they experience power cuts, which are quite common in the rural part of KwaZulu Natal where the home is located. The shift to renewable sources of energy means that the project will also have a positive environmental impact. The installation of lightning conductors to protect the solar panels will help to ensure that they last and continue to provide a positive social and environmental impact well into the future.
