Pay-as-you-go system helps save lives

South Africa Mark Mozaly believes that the installation of the local solar system helped to keep his 81 -year -old mother alive.

She spent three weeks in intensive care last year, and now she returned home in Benononi, east of Johannesburg, she needs an oxygen vehicle to help her breathe.

But it is not possible to rely on irregular electricity supply in the country.

“There were days we would have been without energy for six hours. I had to use a car battery to run her oxygen tank, but that did not last long and you should sit with her with her arms to try to get oxygen in her lungs,” Moodley told BBC.

“Sometimes we had to hurry it to the hospital when it didn’t work. It was scary.”

At that time, the doctors told the family that it may not have a long time to live. But fixed power supplies gave them more time together.

“It was the savior. I shouldn’t verify it constantly during the night. I know that its oxygen tank has strength, whatever it is,” says a sound trembling.

Despite the recent improvements in the South African power network, there is still a break.

The presence of a firm electricity supply in the country, which carries nearly 15 years of “loading” – has become – power outages at the country level were provided to reduce pressure on fragile infrastructure.

In addition to endangering some lives, the crisis has affected economic growth and contributed to job losses.

South Africa depends heavily on the highly contaminated charcoal – it represents about 80 % of all the electricity generated. But in recent years, the restrictions imposed on generating small solar energy have eased and created tax incentives for installation.

The country is also looking for more investment in renewable energy in order to help shift in coal.

At the local level, those who have financial means have gradually took their homes and companies outside the network, where they invested in solar energy systems that require initial expenses ranging between 14,000 and 19600 dollars (10,400 pounds-14500 pounds).

This price means that this option is far from the reach of most of South Africa. Those who abandon the sunlight in the country and invest in clean and reliable energy.

But Mr. Moodley was able to resort to the payment scheme as you-you who kept the lights and medical equipment.

His electricity bill decreased by $ 80 a week – savings that he hoped to use to expand what he has, and eventually he is completely deviated from the network.

The system that it uses comes from Wetility, a local startup that was established in 2019

For local users, the basic package costs $ 60 a month – and there is no preililed boost – which makes solar energy easier.

The company says it has identified a market gap – a reasonable solar solution designed for small companies and low -income families.

“South Africa is traditional to a large access to electricity – but arrival does not mean anything if the energy is unreliable or affordable,” says Vincent Maposa, the company’s founder and former energy analyst.

“We had to develop products suitable for purposes and can be financially accessible.”

Although solar energy is not new in South Africa, the Wetility business model includes a monthly payment plan for mobile style, allowing customers to spread cost.

For years, the download was used as a final attempt to maintain the national network from complete collapse, after decades of mismanagement in ESKOM.

While the power outages of some urban centers decreased, the poorest societies and businessmen are still suffering from forced discounts, as the infrastructure of aging to meet the increasing demand.

For some in the towns, concerns about theft and practical application also led people to raise people to obtain solar equipment, but moisture also designed lightweight and flexible panels that can be installed on the roofs of fragile homes in many of these areas.

“We have reached a thin painting of films that stick to the surface. If someone tries to peel it, it is tearing and becoming without value. This was important for the areas where theft is a source of concern,” says Mr. Maposa.

“In terms of efficiency, it leads to traditional panels.”

The power unit, including the inverter, which converts the energy resulting from the panels into useful electricity, and a battery that works when the sun does not shine, is secured in a large steel box weighing about 300 kg wipes on the wall.

The team says this reduces the risk of theft and avoids attention in high -crime areas.

Julius Koobetseng recently turned into solar energy that may have saved the small grocery store.

At a hat of the gray hat and a thick blue jacket to ward off the cold in the winter in the southern hemisphere, boxes of drink accumulate in a bright refrigerator that remembers how repeated power discounts have almost shattered his livelihood.

“The meat will explode, and the dairy would spoil. Sometimes we will be without salad for four days,” says 43 -year -old.

But since March, his store in Krugersdorp, West Johannesburg has used the AS-YOG-GOD solar system to keep the lights and refrigerators.

Some small business owners have turned into reserve diesel generators, but Mr. Koobetsing, who has had his store over the past 13 years, has been attracted to the most environmentally environmentally option.

“The energy discounts badly affected small companies,” he says.

“We live from month to month, depending on what the work brings. If you cannot guarantee power, how do you plan for the future?”

Now it does not worry when the power that was “great comfort” comes out.

His work costs $ 250 a month, but Mr. Koobetsing’s business was chosen thanks to the reliable power.

“People know that my shop remains open even when the authority comes out. Some come only to direct fees on their devices, but while they are here, they buy things too,” says with a smile.

For him, the benefit is not related to the reduction of electricity bills. This is consistency.

“Solar energy has gave me control. I can plan Limi knowing that I have power.”