DRIVERS, BARRIERS AND STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING SOLAR- POWERED AIRCONDITIONING TECHNOLOGIES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Ronald Gayapershad1 and Freddie L. Inambao2

Abstract: The work described in this journal paper addresses the current literature on the utilization of solar energy as a renewable energy alternative in South Africa from the perspective of environmental conservation. South Africa is a country with no crude oil reserves of its own, all its crude oil must be imported from foreign countries namely Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Angola. In 2018, these countries supplied a total of 89 % of crude oil imports. The South African Energy Crisis (SAEC) is a never-ending issue where the country faces widespread rolling blackouts due to electricity supply falling behind demand, which essentially threatens to destabilize the national grid network. This method of inhibiting transmission and distribution lines from becoming overloaded is referred to as load shedding, which was first initiated in 2007 and continues up to this day in South Africa. The country’s future energy supply is in danger due to the fast-declining fossil fuel oil reserves, insufficient refinement capacity to match the country’s demands, and severe cases of energy instability in uneasy parts of the country where shortages occur. South Africa is blessed with a rich supply of renewable energy resources. Solar energy is plentiful and an everlasting energy source that has been used by rural dwellers for various processes e.g., agriculture. In this article, the widespread usage, as well as the different applications of solar resources, are examined and reviewed. The potential motivators for the advancement of solar energy transformation systems are presented together with the drivers and barriers to solar energy advancement. The various actions and policy measures recommended for controlling the barriers and improving the use of solar energy resources are also discussed.  
Keywords: renewable energy, energy crisis, load shedding, motivators, drivers, challenges, barriers, policy measures, actions, solar energy resources.