“Load shedding”, “depletion of non-renewable resources”, “global warming”- these are all terms that we have unknowingly learned and understood over the years simply because they are becoming severe social and environmental problems on a global level. Thus the hunt for an energy source that is independent of the above problems is the prime of the day in the 21st century. The most promising alternative, especially in a sunlight-rich climate like South Africa’s, seems to be the sun’s radiation or what’s commonly known as “solar power”.
Living in a developing country, like South Africa, poses more immediate problems that need to be solved. The betterment of the lives of those living in areas outside the national grid (in non-electrified areas) should be top priority. Therefore, any method of improvement would be immensely appreciated by those affected and will also point our country in the direction of progression.
A way of tackling both the energy crisis and aiding the lives of our citizens will truly be a revolutionary feat. The solar cooker an example of such a product which has the potential to form the foundation for new technologies that will lead us into a more energy efficient and eco-friendly era.
RESEARCH INTO THE IMPACT OF THE SOLAR COOKER IN SOUTH AFRICA
The solar cooker already has a history in South Africa dating back to the 1970s when Willi Sureman, pioneer in solar Cooking, identified the opportunity for a solar cooking device in South Africa( Wentzel, 1997). With South Africa being dubbed “Sunny South Africa”, it’s evident that solar energy has the potential to be the norm for reducing high costs of living, eradicating load-shedding and developing rural areas in terms of access to electricity and broader, new-ag...
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...are almost perfect for our target audience.
Parabolic cookers
These cookers are funnel-shaped. They work on the principles of the above two designs making it almost ideal. However, it is much more expensive than other models, a strong support is needed, and it also requires periodic realignment to the sun with can prove to be dangerous, the reflective nature of the device can damage the eyes which is a major concern in rural communities where children are often delegated cooking chores.
Our device
Our device will therefore have a box type shape. It will ideally be completely made from recycled materials, with a cardboard frame. It will also be more resistant against water in the form of steam making it more durable and painted black because black absorbs energy (heat) while white reflects energy (McLaren C, Physical Sciences grade 11) thus increasing efficiency.
FROM observation we have come to know, that more than 1.5 billion people around the world have little or no access to light due to shortage or unavailability of electricity. Large numbers of affected people are from rural areas, and to a certain extent people from urban areas are also getting griped into energy crises. Statistics from United Nations says, that an investment of about US$35 billion to 40 billion per year is required to provide electrical energy to accomplish consumer basic need of energy for light, cook and mobility. Even after such heavy investment 16% of the world’s population will still not have electricity by the year 2030 (International Energy Agency).
Claim: Solar power has the potential to become the United States main supply of energy and replace are needs for more conventional and harmful forms of power generation.
In this modern fast paced world that we live in, there are many issues that are looked over, energy is one of these. As a world, we are dependant on dwindling fossil fuel supplies and take for granted electricity, oil, and gas. There are four completely renewable sources of energy around us that should be used and developed, they are: wind, growing plants, flowing water, and the sun. These sources of energy are the ones we should be tapping, because they are reliable and renewable. Harnessing the suns energy is the most certain and ultimate energy source. Looking at a brief history and some facts about solar energy, a glimpse of the future can be seen, a future not dependant on fossil fuels.
As the increase in the consumption of energy gradually increases per year, the government needs to take measures in opting to renewable energy sources, preferably solar energy because of its decreasing price, versatility, and its abundant main source of energy.
From the early times of human beings, trying to find ways to harness the suns energy for their daily lives , we have come long ways since the first solar panels now we have other ways to create energy but those aren’t safe they’re dangerous and hazardous to the environment. The future begins with change and we can’t do that if we’re still doing the same things to, burning fossil fuels and power plants are the main sources of today’s pollution. Solar panels are a great thing for this time in age, harnessing the sun’s rays for energy pollutant free air.
Saini, Keshav. "Solar Thermal Energy Pros and Cons | Environmental Issues." Environmental Issues Blog. N.p., 6 Jan. 2012. Web. 04 Mar. 2014. .
Solar cookers represent an eco-friendly form of cooking, and they signify one of the most fundamental methods of harnessing solar energy for human use. In the southern African region, solar cookers have gradually grown in popularity over the last few decades, as they represent an efficient solution to many of the economic and fuel-related problems facing rural communities. Free solar energy can be harnessed and used as a fuel to operate solar cooking apparatuses, thereby reducing the need for other fuels such as paraffin and wood (see Tucker, 1999). These cookers play a vital role in the lives of the many families who make use of them, as they are cheap and simple to operate. They provide the users with an effective and reliable method by which to cook their meals and play a huge role in terms of money-savings for these families.
First the first thing that I am going to do is define renewable energy “renewable energy is generally defined as energy that comes from resources which are naturally replenished on a human timescale such as sunlight, wind,rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat¹ .So by this definition of renewable energy i would classify solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, bioenergy,green power, ocean energy, hydrogen and fuel cell, hydro power all of these energy types are all renewable but are relatively expensive compared to our main source of electricity, fossil fuels that make up more than 77% of South Africa’s needed energy.
South africa currently uses coal to power their stations to generate electricity. This is very laborous and takes lots of time and work force to keep the country afloat in terms of electricity usage and in terms of supply and demand, which effects the wages of the workers as well ...
I am certain that all have heard of the terms green house gases, fossil fuels, and global warming. Have you ever questioned what will happen if nothing is done about the environmental problems facing the world today? What if I answer you that, we can merely use the power from the sun to power up our entire planet without the use of harmful energy sources, which affect our atmosphere? The power from the sun is what we call solar power. Solar power is the energy that comes from the sun as light and heat energy, and then it is later converted into electrical energy through solar panels (Nelson, 2008). This kind of power is completely free, right? Why should we put a lot of expense on other sources of energy, when there is a complete free and healthy power? It is evident that solar energy is a healthy source of energy, which will help stop global warming all together, but it is economically efficient to switch everything to solar energy. Solar energy is capable of becoming the world's future power supply because, it is renewable, eco-friendly, and extremely efficient when strategically placed.
Solar energy has contributed massively to off-grid areas in Africa. Some companies such as Kenya’s M-KOPA or musician Akon’s solar power project, ‘Akon lighting Africa’, is engaging Africans in seeing the benefits of using natural resources to generate power at the lowest costs to customers. In the future Africa is expected to shift from (Matshego, n.d.)
South Africa in most recent times has been plagued by an energy crisis. Due to the high energy demands placed on Eskom, it has been unable to cope with this high demand for energy and therefore unable to meet the energy demands of the domestic consumer. This has consequently led to unplanned power outages and scheduled load shedding by Eskom to ease the load demand. This is an obvious inconvenience for the citizens, it is therefore in their own best interest to assist in resolving the crisis we now face. Energy optimisation and energy load reduction of each individuals household thereafter, is the most effective way to solve the electricity shortage crisis in the country. Although extensive measures have been implemented in raising awareness to this issue, either through advertisements or various ‘go-green’ campaigns, majority of the population still remain in the dark with regards to the amount of energy they consume inefficiently. This report is designed to address this problem, in doing so enlightening the reader on how to use energy efficiently taking into account their specific needs.
Renewable energy in South Africa would have effects on our economy because coal demand is shrinking so soon coal mines will close down, new technology may have to be bought or built if the wind and sun energy sources will start to be used, wind farms and solar panel fields will be small whereas coal power stations take up a lot of space.
This report will be discussing the supply of electrical energy, its demand, challenges and the future energy mix in South Africa, a conclusion will be drawn from the facts and opinions discussed on the report. ”it based on the presentation that was done by Mr AJ Kinghorn on 24 april 2014 to the fourth year mining engineering students at the university of the Witwatersrand
Throughout the century researchers and scientists have looked for alternative fuel sources. Ranging from fossil fuel alternatives such as electric batteries, to wind energy, and even energy from the sun which is called solar energy. Solar energy dates back to the year 1767. It was created by a Swiss scientist named Horace-Benedict de Saussure. It was an insulated box covered with three layers of glass to collect heat energy. Saussure’s box was known as the first solar oven. Since that day solar energy has come very far. In 1958 solar energy flew to space. in 1981 the first solar aircraft was built followed by the first solar powered car in 1982. Finally in 1999 solar power was at its record peak, using the most efficient cells ever developed. But then in 2008 due to the financial crisis, Evergreen Solar and Solyndra Solar failed. With that said it still did not stop solar technologies from advancing.