Question NW2890 to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
21 September 2023 - NW2890
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Whether his department was involved in the installation of solar systems at Vondeling in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape; if not, why not; if so, what (a) total number of solar systems were installed at Vondeling in 2021, (b) total number of the solar system units are not working, (c) total number have never worked and (d) are the reasons that the contractor has not been required to repair the non-functioning units?
Reply:
Yes, DMRE was involved in the installation of the SHSs
a) DMRE installed eighty-eight (88) Solar Home Systems (SHSs) at Dr Beyers Naude in the 2020/21 financial year through one of its appointed service providers. Twenty (20) SHSs were installed in Vondeling.
b) The DMRE conducted an inspection with the service provider and the municipality officials on 28-29 April 2021. During the inspection two (2) of the installed SHSs were found to be not working and the service provider was instructed to repair, and they were repaired.
All SHSs (88 in total) installed were working when the inspection was concluded on 29 April 2021.
c) None
d) There installed SHSs are covered by the service provider for a period of one (1) year post the installation period through warranties as per the contract signed between the DMRE and the service provider. Once the one year period has elapsed, the repairs and maintenance of the SHSs becomes the responsibility of the municipality.