Trevor van der Vyver, founder and owner of MaxLite, has been at the forefront of South Africa's solar energy sector since before most people even considered it viable. In a recent exclusive interview, he shared insights on the challenges facing the local industry today and where future opportunities may lie. By Ilana Koegelenberg
Pioneering solar in South Africa
Van der Vyver's journey with solar energy began in 1974 when he started engaging with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on solar water heating – decades before it became mainstream. He later founded MaxLite in 1989, initially focusing on DC lighting solutions, with Eskom as his first major customer.
His company has since evolved alongside the industry, installing solar systems in over 20,000 rural houses across South Africa, from the Western Province to the Northern Cape.
In 2000, his innovations earned him an ETA award from Eskom, leading to the development of a product line called etamax. This recognition highlights his long-standing commitment to the advancement of solar technology in the region.
Rural electrification solutions
The unequal and expensive distribution of electricity to communities and the non-existent delivery to rural areas have led MaxLite to develop its own range of locally manufactured and installed Solar Home Systems.
MaxLite's Solar Home Systems have been designed as both fee-for-service (MaxMeter) and standalone (MaxReg) systems. The development of the MaxMeter has been a journey focused on sustainability and reliable basic electricity for homes where units are installed.
Fee-for-service systems require that the municipality or service provider purchase the units, with the idea of recovering costs from the homeowner through airtime purchased at sales offices. This approach encourages a sense of product ownership while allowing cost recovery.
The MaxReg standalone system doesn't require prepaid vouchers or customer visits to sales offices; once installed, it works from day one, though money collection ultimately falls to the municipality/community.
Standards and regulatory challenges
Solar power is not an easy-to-understand subject. One of the most pressing challenges in today's market is the lack of appropriate standards for newer hybrid and established technologies. Van der Vyver currently chairs a working group with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) addressing this exact issue.
Despite reports from universities, the national regulation VC 9006 has virtually killed the solar water heater with electrical backup market. The latest SWH, which is compliant with SANS standards, is a non-electrified 100 L system. This is sold to low-cost buildings, which generally have multiple occupants. “Imagine 100 L for a family of four on an overcast day. With no electrical backup and a limited quantity of water. It’s not enough,” Van der Vyver explains.
"We have a product, etamax, a Dual energy generation unit, that takes grid and solar at different required times," he explains. "The problem is that it doesn't fit into the current standards. There is no standard for such a thing because it's a bit of a hybrid."
The product connects to photovoltaic panels and heats water in geysers, drawing from solar during the day by default, with an option to use grid power as backup. Traditional standards classify this as small, embedded generation (SEG), which was designed specifically for solar PV inverters in homes, not these hybrid solutions.
This regulatory gap creates uncertainty for electrical contractors who need clear guidelines to ensure compliance. It also opens the door for non-compliant products to enter the market, ultimately affecting the industry's reputation.
Van der Vyver's dual role as supplier and standards committee chair puts him in a unique position to help find solutions to bridge this gap.
Quality concerns and import competition
The influx of low-quality imports has been particularly damaging to the solar industry. According to van der Vyver, many imported products are designed for different plumbing and electrical standards than those used in South Africa.
This mismatch creates installation problems that give solar energy a bad reputation when systems fail. The problem is compounded by limited enforcement of existing standards. Van der Vyver recounts how in the past, SABS/NRCS was rigorous about enforcing the proper use of their approval marks, but enforcement has since weakened significantly.
Public sector challenges
Van der Vyver doesn't shy away from addressing the corruption that has plagued the solar industry, particularly in government projects. He recalls a solar water heating project that had R4.3 billion allocated but was ultimately pulled due to widespread corruption.
"It could have changed this entire country if it actually went through the way it was supposed to," he says.
He describes how social programs designed to bring solar water heating to underprivileged communities opened doors for bribery and corruption. Municipalities could request allocations for thousands of systems, but proper installation and oversight were lacking, resulting in infamous cases like the ineffective township installations.
Market evolution and future directions
The South African solar energy market has changed dramatically since van der Vyver entered the industry. "Today, like in the solar water heating industry, there are so many people doing the job, and that's what’s killing the industry. You have hundreds of inverters on the market. You have hundreds of installers. But not everyone is focussed on quality."
This saturation has led to fierce competition and shrinking margins. However, van der Vyver sees opportunity in changing the value proposition. Even as load shedding becomes less frequent, the economic case for solar remains strong when framed in terms of energy savings rather than backup power. "Solar has changed," he notes. "We no longer sell solar as a backup. We sell savings."
This is particularly interesting for municipalities trying to reduce their energy consumption. He points specifically to geyser-focused solar solutions that can save homeowners R900-R1,000 per month on energy costs. "If you have 1,000 solar systems installed, you're saving a few thousand megawatts. The municipalities could use that saving for industry, factories, and further grid roll-out."
New business models
One particularly promising development is the emergence of "as-a-service" business models. Rather than simply selling equipment, these models offer ongoing service with flexible payment options.
"My goal would be to find somebody whereby the homeowner, or the business, can get whatever product they desire, not tied to just one supplier, that is fee-for-service or pay-as-you-go enabled," says van der Vyver.
He recalls implementing a "fee-for-service" model a decade ago with Électricité de France (EDF), one of the world's largest utilities. While that particular initiative faced challenges from other local interests, the concept remains viable.
These models could open new revenue streams for electrical contractors while making solar more accessible to a broader market, particularly when backed by appropriate financing structures.
Looking ahead
Despite the challenges, van der Vyver remains engaged with the industry's future. His company continues to evolve, exploring opportunities not just in South Africa but across the African continent, though he notes each country presents its own unique challenges.
Enquiries: www.maxlitesa.com