Solar (Photovoltaic) Systems, Energy Use and Business Activities in Maphephethe, KwaZulu, Natal
Literature suggests that energy is both a prerequisite for and essential to development (both social and economic). In order to establish the ability of an alternative energy source —photovoltaic systems - to meet daily requirements, an investigation into current energy usage, expenditure patterns and business applications was conducted. Maphephethe, an area north of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, was selected for a formal survey, with locally based, trained interviewers interviewing 200 households and businesses. The findings indicated that income levels were slightly above national (rural) norms but displayed a wide variability. Eleven energy sources were used, including candles for illumination, car batteries for television sets, dry batteries for radios and wood for cooking. Paraffin and gas were used for refrigeration. The general attitude towards solar home systems was favourable but the interviewees perceived grid electricity as being better. There did not appear to be any difference between those households that had solar home systems and those that did not. Expenditure saved on traditional energy sources matched that spent on solar syst-ems. Business energy-related potential was present but not developed
Household energy needs and utilization patterns in the Giyani rural communities of Limpopo Province, South Africa
A study was conducted in the rural communities of the Giyani district in Limpopo Province, with the aim of identif ying types of ener gy r esources used and the patterns of utilization of such energy sources. Surveys were conducted in thr ee villages and semi-structured questionnair es wer e used to interview 20 randomly selected households per village. Focus group discussions were also held in each of the surveyed villages. Data obtained in all surveyed villages showed that fuel wood is the main source of energy for cooking and heating while paraffin and candles are mainly used for lighting. Wood in these villages is very scarce and communities spend 5 to 6 hours per trip collecting fuel wood. Women using the loadhead method of car rying wood and occasionally wheelbarrows are the main source of labour used in collecting fuel wood. The paper concludes that there is a need to promote sustainable energy resources and technologies such as the use of impr oved wood and charcoal stoves. Furthermore, the paper recommends the promotion of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, which have a potential of being adopted in the area. It is also argued that policies which enhance integrated rural development and promote sustainable energy utilization in rural communities need to be put in place and implemented.
Woodfuel in Ciskei: A Headload Study
SYNOPSIS On average rural women spend over two hours collecting firewood headloads of 24 kg air-dry mass comprising approximately 28 pieces of 2,40 m length with a diameter of 44 mm and a mass of 862 g. The number of headloads averaged over five per week and average per capita consumption of firewood was 1,14 tons. Women have good local knowledge of tree species collected for firewood. Acacia karoo was the most favoured species. The open fire is used for cooking two to three meals per day. Paraffin was the most favoured alternative fuel. Patterns of woodfuel usage are location specific and vary widely. Research is needed into the multiple use of woody vegetation, as well as appropriate means of conserving woodfuel.