After almost two decades of power cuts, South Africa’s fleet of ailing coal-fired power stations is broken beyond repair. The good news is there has never been a better time to invest in alternative energy solutions. South Africa’s swelling private power revolution is welcoming new entrants and more affordable solutions into the market every day. From industrial generators to solar systems with battery storage, there is a vast and growing range of excellent options for every business in every sector.
Load shedding as an excuse for poor service delivery is timeworn and unprogressive in 2023. It sends a message that your business is stuck in the dark. While you’re scrambling to do the bare minimum during power outages, your powered-up competitors are showing up for your customers. In the long run, it stands to cost you dearly.
It’s time to take back the power.
Loadshedding and power cuts choke growth and profitability for South African entrepreneurs. And the outlook remains dire.
An entrepreneur’s prerogative is to pioneer growth and overcome obstacles by making the right decisions. Obstacles can kill businesses, but the swiftness and efficiency with which you respond make all the difference. Load shedding is an opportunity to create a more resilient business that runs on its own terms. Deciding to transition from the national grid means changing gears from reacting to Eskom’s agenda to proactively growing your business and owning your challenges. There is a difference between getting stuff done and making actual progress. Proactivity always outperforms reactivity.
Where does energy security sit on your list of priorities? Do you find yourself merely at the mercy of power cuts, or is alternative energy a key goal for your business?
Getting your business off the grid – partially or fully – is the only way forward. It renders your business immune to Eskom’s failures.
GENFIN liberates business owners from the constraints of our national grid. Our business finance solutions give entrepreneurs access to affordable capital for alternative energy solutions. It’s a low-risk investment that adds to the value of your business. It also adds to your credibility as an off-grid business.
Our advanced credit model is designed to protect the health of your business. That means prioritising affordability by connecting your business with a sustainable business funding solution that protects your cash flow. With GENFIN, you are always in good hands.
Release up to R5 million with a 90-day repayment grace period.
South Africa has the ideal climate to implement green energy alternatives. A commercial or industrial solar system is a low-risk investment that yields substantial returns. It’s an excellent choice for most businesses, provided they don’t use heavy machinery or commercial refrigeration. Upfront costs are high but quickly recouped within a matter of years. Solar energy is 20% cheaper than electricity from the grid and saves up to 60% on electricity bills.
Solar systems with integrated battery storage enable a constant energy supply that dramatically cuts your reliance on the grid. It also avoids power surges that can damage expensive equipment.
Your first port of call is a feasibility study to gauge your energy requirements. Panels are installed on the roof to convert the sun’s light into energy via an inverter. Solar systems for commercial use typically comprise an 8kW inverter, two 5.1kWh batteries, and six to 12 solar panels. With the addition of a bidirectional meter, companies can now also sell power back into the grid.
Generators are a good choice for companies with high and constant power demands, like those operating in the construction, agriculture, mining, and manufacturing industries. Typically, they take at most 20 seconds to warm up and switch over as the main power source.
Diesel generators are some of the most popular alternative power sources, offering up to 4000kVA in a single unit. They have a very long lifespan and can operate effectively in any climate. Single-phase generators are typically more affordable but mainly used for households and smaller businesses. Three-phase generators are more efficient and can handle more power, making them the go-to option for commercial and industrial solutions.
Silent generators come with a specifically engineered sound-attenuated canopy designed for quieter operations.
