The cost of photovoltaic (PV) panels has fallen by 50% since the beginning of this year, according to David Crawley, Head of Product Line at Electrolux Kwikot Watercare, and this makes solar power – and solar water-heating – more accessible to a wider market.
Electrolux Kwikot Watercare has seen solar powered water-heating systems become its leading product.
He says green solutions, such as solar panels and alternative off-grid water-heating systems, have become the most sought-after items, enabling consumers to navigate extended loadshedding periods independently.
“In 2023, when South Africa faced high levels of loadshedding, all who could afford it installed inverters and many installed solar PV systems as an alternative energy supply,” Crawley says. “This year, demand is not as high, supply chains have opened up and we are seeing an oversupply of PV panels bringing the price – for exactly the same product – down by 50%.”
Electrolux acquired the Kwikot Group, long established as a manufacturer of electric geysers and other water heating systems, a few years ago. Murray Crow, Electrolux Managing Director for South Africa, says in its green range, solar panels and alternative water-heating systems have become the most popular items because they give customers a degree of independence from the electricity grid.
The company supplies water-heating systems for residential, commercial and industrial scale installations and is committed to continuous innovation, introducing products that cater to evolving market needs.
The company supplies water-heating systems for residential, commercial and industrial scale installations.
Over the past one hundred years, Kwikot's product line has transformed from copper geysers to steel and pressurised units, pioneering advances such as the first 600 kPa geyser. The range now includes trademarks for solar, renewables heat pumps, and all geysers, including gas-powered geysers.
Gas geysers, although they are categorised under the 50% renewables bracket, are not powered by a green or ‘clean’ gas, Crawley clarifies. He advocates rather retrofitting with solar water-heaters, emphasising their cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits.
He says the industry's renewable energy momentum can be traced back to 2008/2009 when South Africa first experienced loadshedding and Eskom introduced a rebate system for solar installations. The trend accelerated in 2018 with the implementation of building regulation Sans10400SA, mandating that 50% of a property's hot water must be generated by non-element sources.
For Electrolux today, solar water-heating is their best product and the Elon 100 PV Heating system has taken the lead since its launch. This water-heating system can be retrofitted, requires no maintenance, and offers a high level of performance and a lifespan double that of traditional solar thermal systems.
A smart connected thermostat will be included in the Elon system in the coming months and will enable users to operate the geysers via a smartphone. The device goes beyond conventional thermostat functionalities, providing insights into geyser conditions, longevity, and potential leaks through algorithms rather than traditional sensors, Crawley says.
"Our aim is to provide a one-stop service for our customers, ensuring convenience and reliability in water heating. We understand that our success in supporting solar and heat pumps is integral to our enduring legacy in the geyser industry," says Crow.
For more information visit: www.electroluxgroup.com.
