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TASOL GT PRO CYCLING TEAM “RIDES FOR A GREENER FUTURE” IN 2012.
More and more energy and environmentally conscience clients are looking for cost effective solutions to manage energy usage while developers and consumers have started to embrace environmentally friendly and energy efficient technologies in green building architecture. This trend is also starting to impact consumer behaviour and lifestyle changes.
Cycling in South Africa has seen a significant increase in popularity and is one of the fastest growing sports. Road and MTB events attract participants from around 500 – 30 000 riders on a weekly basis. Apart from the popularity of cycling as a sport, it has also been promoted as a clean transport option in comparison to our traditional high carbon emitting motor vehicles. TASOL Solar believes that “Riding for a Greener Future” embraces greener and healthier lifestyle approaches many consumers are adopting.
In the light of raising the profile of cycling as not only being a competitive sport, a healthy lifestyle option and greener mode of transport, TASOL Solar will continue as a lead sponsor of the TASOl GT professional cycling team in 2012.
The Tasol GT Team rider line up has grown somewhat and we excited to announce the addition of three new young up and coming super stars. William Bush and Myles van Muschenbroek join the team as U/23 riders, both coming from U/23 Academy teams. The signing of Kellan Gouveris (2yr contract), who is still a junior, caused a lot of attention with our vision and ‘thinking out of the box’ strategy. All six riders in Richard Baxter, Nolan Hoffman, James Perry, Clint Hendricks, Jean Spies and David Maree from 2011 will enjoy another year at Tasol – GT while Richard Baxter will captain the team with the assistance of Perry and Hoffman.
The teams goal is to build on the successes of 2011 and continue to develop young aspiring cyclists into full time professionals by securing victories at the country’s premier events both on the road and track and we will continue to share & support Nolan Hoffman 100% with his dream of winning an Elite World Championship title on the track.
However, 2012 will not just be a year of riding bike races and building on the success of 2011, but also promoting a cause which the world will benefit from, as well as assisting in making a difference to the lives of many people in the previously disadvantaged communities. Tasol GT Pro cycling Team will be campaigning on “Riding for a Greener Future”.
Along with Tasol Solar and their partners such as the IDC, the team will be contributing to funding for the supply of Low Pressure Solar Geysers to disadvantaged communities. The team will donate 10% of all its prize money to a project which Tasol Solar endorses. In addition the team will be launching a merchandising arm where the public can purchase team merchandise and all proceeds will go to numerous different projects around the country.
As consumers around the world are realising the need to go green the TASOL GT Team leads the way forward as ambassadors to promote a healthy and greener lifestyle while creating awareness of the benefits of cycling as an sustainable sport and changing the lives of people in disadvantaged communities by providing hot water to low-income community households at no cost.
Join us in our campaign, and support us as we strive to make a difference!
For more on Tasol's range of solar energy solutions, click here>>
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World Class Sustainability through Renewable Energy Programmes.
Solar energy company Solar Academy of Subsaharan Africa (SASSA) has become the first company in the world to registier its carbon credit programme under the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism to earn carbon credits from mass solar water heating installation.
The Gauteng-based company has installed more than 70 000 low pressure solar water heaters in low-cost housing communities across South Africa, using the Eskom energy efficiency subsidy to finance project costs. The capital generated from the company’s Carbon Credit programme through the selling of carbon credits generated from the project, provides the necessary funding to ensure projects are sustainable. This entails maintenance of the systems and an investment into skills development within the respective communities as trained and qualified solar water heater installers. The programme will also ensure the longevity of the socio-economic benefits of these projects within developing communities.
SASSA is the sole distributor of the TASOL brand of solar water heating systems in South Africa. The company has also installed about 7 000 high pressure systems in higher-income residential areas as the demand for alternative solutions to household energy efficiency and the need for cost effective power sources have increased in the last two years.
Tasol managing director Chris Nelson ascribes the company’s success to its realisation early on that South Africa was heading for an electricity crunch that would propel tariffs and make energy efficiency imperative. At the same time, the costs of renewable energy, and specifically solar technologies, were beginning to come down.
“We saw that the prices of traditional coal-based electricity and the costs of renewable energy would inevitably come together and that people would sooner than later be able to afford to instal solar thermal heating and photovoltaic systems,” explains Nelson.
The company also established a solar water heating and photovoltaic research and development centre at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in order to test best of breed technologies, improve the efficiency of its products to ensure that quality products are developed for the South African Climate.
SASSA which manufactures its own solar water heating systems started the long process of registering a mass solar water heating project under the Clean Development Mechanism as South Africa’s first registered Programme of Activities (PoA) and the first United Nations registered solar water heating (SWH) specific programme in the world. Each installation is estimated to save an average of 1 ton of greenhouse gas emissions a year by avoiding the use of coal-based electricity. It is anticipated that the 70,000 installations will lead to expected annual average emission reductions of 73,000 t CO2.
More than 800 new jobs were created through this project which benefits and educates local communities. A second phase of training will see 10% of all installers being trained to become qualified plumbers. SASSA is also in the process of obtaining SETA accreditation for its training programmes to ensure industry compliance and to drive and sustain quality industry standards and practices.
The programme aims to achieve 200,000 installations over a 10 year crediting period which will have immediate impacts on the livelihood, health and economic well-being of the targeted low-income households which have never had proper water heating systems.
SWHs are given to the low income households free of charge, with help of carbon revenues and the Eskom subsidy. Developed under the small scale PoA approach, all low pressure units in this programme are approved by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).
The project participants include:
- SASSA (Pty) Ltd (sole distributor of the Tasol brand): project owner and coordinating/managing entity (CME)
- International Carbon Ltd: project owner and CDM Cycle Management
- Standard Bank Ltd: carbon purchaser
- Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Ltd: financier
- Real Time Energy: monitoring and database services
To date total systems installed by Tasol in various parts of the country made up the biggest single contribution to the 142 000 high and low pressure installations made under the Eskom rebate scheme.
Nelson regards the Eskom rebate as a “great stepping stone towards helping the solar water heating industry to become self sustainable”. However, he cautions that the industry must wean itself off subsidies and “stand on its own two feet”.
SASSA is participating in the second round of the the Department of Energy and industry regulator NERSA’s REBID proccess for a contract to supply photovoltaic-generated electricity to Eskom under government’s recently announced Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer (IPP) Procurement Programme.
Furthermore, Nelson highlights that as South Africa hosts COP 17, the event will also be an important driver for stakeholder education regarding renewable energy soloutions and developing South Africa’s green economy.
It is essential for both homeowners, business and industrial consumers to be aware of the benefits of investing in integratated energy solutions for the generation of power for households, business and industrial environments as the cost of traditional electricity rises while power demand consumption increases.
Nelson also points out that there is a great future for the development of photovoltaic “Roof-Top” programmes and installations as the market matures and the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme is implemented. It will allow customers to have access to a hybrid of renewable energy solutions which will render cost saving benefits in the long term, while mitigating the impact of climate change.
For more on Tasol's range of solar energy solutions, click here>>
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Tasol Solar Pretoria a finalist in the 702 Softline Pastel Small Business Awards 2011.
It is time for the Small Business Awards on Talk Radio 702 with Softline Pastel where small businesses you wish was in every city are being rewarded for going the extra mile.
Tasol Solar Pretoria was nominated and is now a finalist for these awards after one of their clients nominated them for their excellent service.
When starting a business of your own, there are always challenges and obstacles that you need to overcome. Some businesses do the bare minimum and get along fine, but every now and then you come across a small business that goes out of its way to give you the service that keeps you coming back for more.
Malcolm Fawkes has nominated Tasol Solar Energy Solutions for the Small Business Awards. Malcolm says when his geyser failed at the end of last year he decided to replace it with a solar geyser due to his commitment to energy savings and to the environment. A friend of Malcolm’s had recommended Tasol and when he contacted them they were quick to respond and extremely customer focussed. Malcolm says their communication was excellent and they came out towards the end of the day to do the job.
He says they could’ve waited until the following morning but even worked into the night with their sub contractors to get the job done. Malcolm says the quality of their work is exceptional and their product is also of a very high standard. When the heavy rains began Malcolm informed them that there was a bit of a leak where they had mounted the solar system onto the roof. He says after informing them they came out very quickly and fixed the leak. He says whenever he called them with a query about the workings of the system they were able to give very good advice.
Malcolm says in this day and age where many people are swopping over to solar or heat pump systems it is gratifying to know there are companies out there like Tasol who are not just there to take advantage of a public who do not understand the latest technology.
For more on Tasol's range of solar energy solutions, click here>>
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Tasol co-sponsoring the new TV series "Vat my Hand" on KykNet, Channel 111 on DSTV.
“Vat my hand” is a feel good series aimed at improving the lives of people in need. It is a platform to put some light on Non-profit organisations and individuals in need, and allow for companies and individuals to get involved in their communities and help where needed.
The idea is to inspire and humble the viewers and listeners to the point that they stand up and say: “take my hand I want to help you”.
Broadcasting times:
•Sundays: 08h55 - 09h00
•Mondays Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays: 05h58 - 06h00
•Tuesdays and Thursdays - 06h28 - 06h30
http://www.twitter.com/vatmyhandSA/
or visit the website: www.vatmyhand.co.za
GOOD MORNING ANGELS 29 JUNE 2011
Jul 2 2011 5:47 PM
The kicking boot of Springbok and Bulls Flyhalf, Morné Steyn, helps a young, upcoming rugby star back on this feet.
Our Kick for Cash with Morné Steyn and Care by Volvo started in March this year and in a matter of 16 weeks, our Bulls and Springbok Flyhalf kicked R 18 100,00 with his magnificently accurate boot. Every successive kick earned another R 100,00, but with every miss the count went back to R 100,00. Morné's best boot-game was on 30 April when the Bulls beat the Chiefs 43-27. In the 59th minute of that game, Morné kicked an R 800,00 penalty - which means he had 8 in a row. The next could have been R 900,00, but he made a drop attempt before it, that just missed. The team and the fans off course are behind Morné with every kick, but little did he know, that a young rugby player he had never met, would be the one to really, truly benefit from his efforts.
This morning, Morné will meet 16-year old JP Strydom from Rustenburg. On the Monday 6 June, this first team Flanker's future dreams of playing professional rugby were dashed. He was driving out of his dad's yard with his new motorcycle for the first time and was moments late struck by another vehicle. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, JP's right leg was amputated under the knee. His mom, Anneke says his first words to her were that he wouldn't be able to play rugby anymore. However, his fighting spirit and positive attitude, which made him invaluable to the Hoërskool Wagpos First Team, was stronger than ever. On Wednesday he was moving around the hospital on crutches and on Thursday he was released from hospital, with the strongest of intentions to play rugby again .... JP is currently on the State Patients' list for a prosthetic leg ... it could be two years before he gets one.
For more on Tasol's range of solar energy solutions, click here>>
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Tasol speaks at public meeting held at Kroonstad on local electricity situation.
10 May 2011.
Present at the meeting at Kroonstad, from left Stephen Koopman (Eskom),
Dirk Opperman (Eskom), Raan Naudé (BCCI), Richard Austin (Eskom) and Chris Nelson (MD Tasol)
Following the successful launch of the BCCI Energy Forum at Bloemfontein by the Bloemfontein Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI), Tasol Solar and Kroonstad Business & Tourism requested the BCCI to facilitate a public meeting at Kroonstad on the local electricity situation with a view to establishing a similar type of platform.
As a result, such a public meeting was arranged and on 10 May 2011 representatives of businesses such as supermarkets, motor retailers, banks, other stakeholders and even individual members of the public gathered at the Kroonpark Convention Centre, Kroonstad. Representatives of Eskom also attended, but unfortunately the Moqhaka Local Municipality did not avail itself of the invitation to the meeting.
At the meeting, Eskom was provided the opportunity to inform attendees about the 2011 Tariff Adjustments, Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Programmes. On behalf of Eskom, presentations were made by Dirk Opperman, Stephen Koopman and Richard Austin, giving attendees a better insight into the general energy situation prevailing in the Free State and SA and the challenges Eskom is facing and which in turn relate back to the community.
It was made clear from the side of Eskom that energy supply in general has become risky and that substantial tariff increases over at least the next three years are a given fact. This is further complicated by aggravating municipal service delivery issues.
In an open question and answer session, the public was afforded the opportunity to clarify areas of uncertainty. A better understanding was gained of the dilemma which Eskom has on supply issues and what its reasons are for imminent price hikes. An area of contention raised by attendees was the hope that the defunct Kroonstad power station could be revitalized, but it was explained that this would be too expensive to be viable.
It was pointed out that the onus now rests on the commercial and private sector to start immediately with implementation of energy saving measures as the only counter to price and demand issues.
An informative presentation was given by Chris Nelson, a Tasol Solar SEESA expert, on alternative energy sources and this gave much food for thought.
In conclusion, the meeting resolved that steps be taken to establish an energy forum for Kroonstad similar to the successful Bloemfontein initiative.
Main points emanating from the meeting:
In summary, the following are some main points emanating from the public meeting held on 10 May 2011 at Kroonstad on the local electricity situation:
• Eskom has no alternative but to recover revenue for its high cost of producing energy through increased tariffs.
• Eskom would like to pass all of its customers on to municipalities to supply on a retail basis.
*This is because in terms of the Municipal Finance Act, municipalities are currently under recovering.
• Cross subsidization of electricity tariffs do take place since the ”poor's rate” cannot be raised.
• Currently 80% of revenue comes from big users and they are over recovered to compensate for the 20% that is under recovered within the poorer income bracket.
• A super peak period is to be introduced within current high peak periods, due to the high consumption of the general public during these periods. The duration time of peak periods will also be increased.
• The next tariff increase by Eskom will be 25% for 2011 / 12, with a further 15 - 20% per annum to follow.
• Municipalities are allowed to charge a further 13% profit on their delivery of electricity.
• Eskom is currently engaged in projects to assist struggling municipalities, such as Moqhaka, to correct disparities and improve their systems.
• Legally Eskom is prevented from cutting electricity supply to a municipality in default of payment, but a municipality is allowed by law to cut off an end user.
• Eskom has at present only a year left to reduce consumption to 4 terrawatt hours and to this end is offering incentives to induce the public towards energy saving measures.
• At present Eskom has no planned load shedding, but it has admitted there is a risk.
• It is clear that going forward South Africa finds itself in an unavoidable energy crisis and that it is therefore imperative
that all stakeholders start seeking energy reduction solutions and / or alternatives. The time of abundant and affordable energy and water resources in SA has come to an end.
Source: http://www.bulletinonline.co.za/
For more on Tasol's range of solar energy solutions, click here>>
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INDUSTRIAL HEAT PUMPS SAVE ELECTRICITY USAGE AT ESKOM'S VICTORIA LAKE INN
31 March 2011.
Although Heat pumps are new to the South African market, it is a technology tested and used around the world to assist in the reduction of electricity usage and in this way reducing the amount of green house gasses being emitted into the atmosphere through the production of electricity using fossil fuels.
As part of Eskom’s Integrated Demand Management programme, they continuously look at ways to advise consumers, and set an example to contribute to the reduction of energy usage in South Africa. Three industrial heat pumps, supplied by Tasol, 2 x 9.2kW (input) and 1 x 4.6kW (input), were recently installed at the Eskom site in Germiston. The hot water reticulation network is supplied by 2 x 2000 litre tanks with 24kW of heating capacity each and 1 x 2500 litre tank with 24kW heating capacity. The installation of the heat pump units were combined with the replacement of two hot water cylinders. Air source heat pumps work on the reverse refrigeration cycle principle.
The thermal heating capacity is typically achieved in a ratio of 1 to 4 i.e. for each 1kW (electrical energy from the Eskom grid), 4 kW of thermal energy is generated. This ultimately results in a reduction of energy consumption as well as a demand reduction on the Eskom grid network. Mr.Hannes van der Merwe from Eskom says that electricalsavings were seen with immediate effect since the installation of the Tasol heat pumps. Typically, the demand profile is reduced from 48kW to less than 15kW. The expected energy savings are currently being measured and verified, but all indications are that acceptable savings will be achieved.
“Heat pumps are a technology that is getting more popular these days and is a good alternative to consider for reducing electricity usage”, says Tasol’s Managing Director, Mr. Chris Nelson. “Energy efficiencies reached by using heat pumps to heat water can be as much as 70 percent. However, by combining heat pumps with a technology such as solar water heating systems (a free energy source), forming a Hybrid system, electrical savings on water heating can be maximized up to 90 percent in some cases. This is indicated through tests done at our Energy test centre at the NMMU in Port Elizabeth,” Nelson adds.
The market for solar and other alternative energy solutions is expected to increase vastly within the next few years, due to the higher energy demand alongside the shortage of electricity capacity projected by economists for South Africa in the next 20 years.
For more on Tasol's range of solar energy solutions, click here>>
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Durban, 10 January 2011.
TOP Durban professional cyclist, Dean Edwards, has managed to secure a new sponsor for the team he launched four years ago and which he built up to be a major competitor in the cut and thrust environment of professional road racing in this country and which proved itself with a number of surprise successes in some of the classic rides.
Initially a Pro-Am outfit back in 2007 under the name Chemspec-Spiga and later as a fully fledged SA Pro team a year later in the flamboyant colours of House of Paint, one of the Chemspec retail brands, in a three-year contract just expired. Signature Life Hotels came aboard last year as new co-sponsors which saw the team racing to its best season so far as Team House of Paint – Signature Life Hotels.
This year Edwards has kept his team afloat by joining forces with Tasol Solar Energy Solutions and GT Bicycles on a one year contract with his own personal management company, Side Wind Sports but says there is a 3yr commitment and goal in mind.
The former, Tasol Solar Energy Solutions, become the team’s financial backers and naming rights sponsor while GT Bicycles will be the team’s co-naming sponsors, supplying top end racing machines valued at over R50 000 apiece.
Edwards said the team would now race as the Tasol-GT Pro Cycling Team and that he had some exciting ideas he had in mind that he hoped would grow to fruition over the next three years.
Edwards confessed to a tough racing season last year with the uncertainty of finding a financial backer in time for 2011 and as a result he battled to retain a solid core of riders to take the team forward.
Only Richard Baxter, David Maree and himself remain from the 2010 squad and they are joined by new signings former Barloworld and Neotel rider, James Perry, former SA track champion, Jean Spies, Clint Hendricks and lastly, Nolan Hoffman, perhaps the biggest capture of all, who his only available from May.
Edwards said: “I believe Hoffman has been poorly managed in the past and I am hugely excited to have him in the line-up.”
“It is my contention that Hoffman’s initial success will come internationally on the track and that if he pushes hard enough, it’s not too late for him to make it into the European ranks on the road, although it’s going to be a tough call for him.” Edwards said he had managed to retain the majority of his product suppliers but had also managed to attract some new faces.
Signature Life Hotels will continue as the team’s hospitality provider, Hoopers VW will provide the team with support motor vehicles for the fourth year in a row while Panda sportswear and Adidas Eyewear have also signed up for a fourth straight year as the team’s official cycle clothing and glasses providers respectively as have Giro Helmets.
Newcomers include Muscle Science who will ensure the team is well supplemented with its latest Staminade range of products and Kenda Tyres who will supply both training and racing tyres throughout the year.
Tasol is a renewable energies company with a national franchised footprint, and warehouses in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
The company focuses on two main solar power categories, thermal systems (solar water heating) and photovoltaic systems, specialising in solar water heating systems such as solar geysers, retrofit geysers, heat pumps and hybrid systems.
“Tasol is very pleased to have the opportunity to sponsor Dean and the team, knowing that they will go to new heights this season. Whilst partnering with other great sponsors, we also get the opportunity to create awareness for a greener environment,” says Johan Terblanche, Managing Director of Tasol Solar Energy Solutions.
The team’s motto for 2011 “Go Green...Ride Clean” emphasises its drive to promote a cleaner environment at the same time as contributing to the ongoing fight against doping in the sport of cycling.
Look out for the new Tasol Solar – GT outfit as they continue to strive to secure major surprise victories and launch the careers of many talented youngsters in SA cycling.
For more on Tasol's range of solar energy solutions, click here>>
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News24, 27 October 2010 - Francois Williams
Plaaswerkers kry sonkrag
Sowat 200 plaaswerkerhuise in die Worcester-omgewing het nou warm water danksy sonkrag nadat ses boere in die gebied saam besluit het om sonwaterverhitters by werkershuise te installeer.
Die sonwaterverhitters is deur Ecozone van Bellville geïnstalleer. Die stelsels wat gebruik is, is Tasol se 110 F-laedruk-sonwaterverhitters.
Mnr. Gustav Trichardt van Ecozone sê die stelsels is ideaal vir plaaswerkerhuise. Dit is deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Buro vir Standaarde goedgekeur en kwalifiseer vir Eskom se sonwaterverhitter-rabat.
Hy sê die stelsels kos minder as R2 000 nadat die Eskom-rabat afgetrek is. Dit sluit die installasiekoste in. Om te kwalifiseer, moet huise ’n kragpunt en die inwoner ’n Suid-Afrikaanse identiteitsdokument hê.
Volgens Trichardt kan die kragbesparing per sonwaterverhitter soveel as R170 per maand bedra, wat beteken die stelsels kan binne een jaar terugbetaal word.
Trichardt verwag die mark vir hoëdruk-sonwaterverhitters – hoofsaaklik vir die middelklas tot ryker mense – sal vinniger groei namate mense weens die volgende ronde skerp elektrisiteitsprysverhogings besef ’n sonwaterverhitter is nie meer ’n luukse nie, maar noodsaaklik.
Mnr. Graham Mundy, besturende direkteur van Solar Beam, sê die meeste banke bied lenings vir sonwaterverhitters wat terugbetaal word met die geld wat huishoudings maandeliks op ’n kragrekening spaar. Hy sê die Eskom-rabat sal nie vir altyd voortduur nie.
Mnr. Jim Hickey, besturende direkteur van Selected Energy, Suid-Afrikaanse verskaffers van die Australiese sonwaterverhitter Solahart, sê die mark sal volgende jaar skerp begin groei omdat wetgewing na verwagting in die eerste kwartaal van volgende jaar in werking tree wat alle nuwe geboue verplig om minstens 50% van hul waterverhitting van hernieubare energie – d.w.s. sonwaterverhitters – te kry.
Verskaffers in die bedryf het skerp toegeneem, sê Hickey. Voor 2008 was daar net 8 verskaffers. Daar is nou 400. Baie van hulle voer goedkoop sonwaterverhitters van China in, wat meestal in laekostebehuising gebruik word.
Die kommersiële kant van sonwaterverhitting verwag ook skerp groei omdat Eskom sy vraagkantbestuursprogram gaan uitbrei. Groot kommersiële en nywerheidskragverbruikers wat kan bewys hoeveel krag hulle danksy die installering van sonwaterverhitters bespaar het, sal ’n groot persentasie van die projekkoste by Eskom kan terugeis.
Hickey sê Selected Energy het 200 sonwaterverhitters vir ’n hotel naby die O.R. Tambo-lughawe in Johannesburg geïnstalleer en is besig met installasies by ’n myn in die Noord-Kaap, asook ’n grootmaatstelsel vir BHP Billiton.
Dit behels ’n stelsel van 25 000 F, oftewel 5 watertenks van 5 000 F, waarvan die water met 100 sonpanele verhit word.
Hy sê daar is genoeg arbeid om die groei in die mark te hanteer. Om een huishoudelike sonwaterverhitter te installeer, verg een gekwalifiseerde loodgieter en drie ongeskoolde werkers. By nuwe huise kan so ’n span twee tot drie stelsels per dag installeer.
Sake24.com > Nuus > Groensake
Tasol is a registered supplier on the Eskom DSM solar water heating programme.
Click here to get your quote on a solar water heating system suitable for your needs>>
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Plumbing Africa, 23 August 2010.
South Africa has recently experienced one of the coldest winters in 5 years, and many questions have been raised within the industry regarding the freeze resistance of solar water heating systems. An article in the consumer watch section of The Star dated 28 June 2010 reported on the damage of some flat plate collectors installed as direct systems. Although Tasol supports both the Flat Plate and Evacuated tube technologies, it is important to recognize the differences.
Why do some collectors freeze?
Water has the anomalous behavior that it shrinks as it cools down, but expands when its temperature goes below C with further cooling. This is the direct cause for water pipes bursting as a result of this volumetric expansion. The Tasol Heat Pipe Evacuated Tube collectors have a “free flow” concept through the manifold section of the collector. This section is very well insulated with a thick layer of compressed Rock Wool.
Tasol uses Evacuated Tube Technology (EVT) in both our direct high pressure and low pressure solar water heating systems. To date Tasol have installed 4647 direct EVT (Evacuated Tube Technology) high pressure solar water heating systems in non coastal regions (Gauteng , Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Polokwane and Non Coastal areas of the Eastern Cape) and we have not received one report on EVT collector damage or failure!
How it works:
An array of evacuated tubes joined to a manifold, through which the heat transfer fluid flows. Tubes usually have heat pipes in the center of the glass tube which transfers the collected heat to the manifold. Heat loss is greatly reduced due to space between the absorber area and the glass outer wall by evacuating the air from the cavity. There is therefore little air to move and transfer of heat by conduction and convection. Heat is not transferred through a vacuum.
The anti reflecting coating further prohibits the irradiation of heat from the collector. The top section of the collector, where the heat pipes join in a manifold, is completely filled with polyurethane which is an excellent insulator. At the bottom of the collector tubes, there are barium coated sections to maintain the vacuum through a gettering process. This means that any air molecules, formed by out gassing, will be absorbed by the barium.
All the copper plumbing to the manifold is protected by insulating material with an R value>1 as well as extra protection for the first meter of pipe joining the manifold, by means of a silicone insert. This insert is a sealed unit with imbedded air pockets to take up any volumetric expansion during the freezing process within the copper pipes. The exposed parts of the solar system are therefore protected fully from harshly cold environments.
Benefits of Tasol EVT systems:
- Proven Freeze resistant collectors (No periodical glycol replacements)
- SABS approved systems
- Individual tubes can be replaced at low cost without any major losses in system efficiency.
- Retrofit of existing electrical geysers
- Large national installed base
* Terms and conditions apply.
Tasol is a registered supplier on the Eskom DSM solar water heating programme.
Contact Prof. Ronnie Mulder on 083 470 1901 for more information.
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Paris, 11 May 2010
Solar electricity could represent up to 20 – 25% of global electricity production by 2050. This important finding emerges from two new analyses by the International Energy Agency (IEA): the solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) roadmaps, launched today in Valencia, Spain, during the Mediterranean Solar Plan Conference hosted by the Spanish presidency of the EU.
“It is particularly appropriate to present the two solar roadmaps in Valencia today, given that Spain has taken a leading role globally in promoting solar power and other forms of renewable energy,” said Mr. Tanaka. “The combination of solar photovoltaics and concentrating solar power offers considerable prospects for enhancing energy security while reducing energy-related CO2 emissions by almost six billion tonnes per year by 2050.”
The roadmaps detail the technology milestones that would make this possible, highlighting that the two technologies will deploy in different yet complementary ways: PV mostly for on-grid distributed generation in many regions and CSP largely providing dispatchable electricity at utility scale from regions with brightest sun and clearest skies. PV also helps provide energy access off grid in rural areas. Together, PV and CSP could generate 9 000 Terawatt hours of power in 2050.
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