Coming soon: solar water heating for every house

  SHARE BOOKMARKPRINTEMAILRATING

When choosing a water heating solar system, you must first determine your needs for hot water both in terms of quantity as well as preferred temperature. Photo/FILE  

By FRANCIS AYIEKO francisayieko@yahoo.com
Posted  Wednesday, August 10  2011 at  18:00

Share This Story

Share 

If you own a building or are planning to construct one, then you had better pay attention to Mr Kaburu Mwirichia, the director-general of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Mr Mwirichia says his organisation has been exploring ways of helping Kenyans spend less on power bills, and the only solution it sees on the horizon is solar power.

“Major power consumers will soon be required to use solar for water heating in their premises,” Mr Mwirichia said recently, noting that the regulator has drafted a solar water heating policy (solar PV regulations) for approval by the Energy Ministry.

He said most of the regulations have been aligned to the yet-to-be-endorsed revised building code and would require home builders to instal systems for water heating.

“The building code already includes installation of solar energy,” he was quoted as saying. “The commission wants to encourage use of solar energy to heat water in commercial establishments and factories and release available electricity from the national grid for industrial production.”

Growing power bills

This suggestion will put a smile on the faces of many electricity consumers as the ever-increasing cost of electricity has seen many Kenyan households struggle to pay power bills that keep growing every month.

Power problems have worsened due to the fact that electricity generation, which is mainly carried out from hydro sources, has become unreliable due to unpredictable weather patterns, leading to power outages.

Add this to the escalating oil prices and households and other power consumers are in a difficult situation.

“Solving this problem requires a seamless alternative that makes power supply for households less dependent on the electricity grid,” says Mr Joseph Muthokah, solar water heating and projects manager at Chloride Exide Kenya Ltd.

Mr Muthokah says the uptake of solar panels or solar water heating systems in the country is on the rise due to high power bills.

Happily, developers and home owners seem to have realised that solar energy is where the future lies and are not sitting back and waiting for the regulations to come into effect later this year.

The number of roof-tops spotting solar panels for water heating in middle-upper and upper market neighbourhoods in major towns like Nairobi is on the rise.

It is becoming increasingly normal to see the roof-tops of houses, from maisonettes and bungalows to apartments and flats, mounted with at least one or two solar panels.

New housing developments in such estates are setting the pace.

Normally, the biggest concern for most developers and home owners is the upfront, out-of-pocket cost of the solar energy system.

Mr Muthokah says that the cost of a solar water heating system is influenced by the temperature and volume of water to be heated — the higher the temperature needed, the more the number of (panel) collectors required.

The price will thus be higher. A standard system of 120 litres — complete with accessories and monitoring structures — for instance, would cost between Sh90,000 and Sh105,000.

Most big residential housing projects, according to Mr Muthokah, require between Sh2.5 million and Sh5 million to satisfactorily instal a water heating solar system, with each house requiring Sh150,000 to Sh200,000 for successful installation.

These figures may seem big to many, but the good news is that once installed, a solar panel can last for about 20 years without the need to replace any part except, in some cases, the cylinder. The piping system can go on for many years.

However, a solar panel’s lifespan largely depends on the quality of water to be heated. Hard and alkaline water easily wears it out. Environmental conditions also have a bearing on the lifespan of a solar panel.

The key thing therefore, is to be armed with thoroughly researched information about one’s power needs.

With this information, there is no need to fear the outlay costs as the consumer will be able to make an educated, informed decision in full appreciation of the long-term economic benefits of using solar.

Currently, solar panels available in the market range from 10 watts to 170 watts.

Installing a 300-litre unit takes two days and is best done when a building is at an advanced stage of construction.