Solar Heat was manufacturing its own equipment by 1989. From solar collectors to heat exchangers and components of the water storage tanks, all the companies products where manufactured in-house with a great deal of attention to detail. As a result the company landed the largest single system installation at the time. A 144 m² / 12 000 ℓ system built for the Johannesburg Municipality. Another large portion of the company’s production found its way to Botswana, through their Botswana Agent. During this time Solar Heat also began to introduce Indirect Solar Heating Systems for domestic use.
The First Decade (1987 - 1997)
Founded in 1987 by the late Waddy Tudor-Jones, Solar Heat specialised in solar hot water system manufacturing and installations
The Second Decade (1997 - 2007)
2002 saw the formation of the Sustainable Energy Society of South Africa.
Into the new millennium, solar power was coming to the fore as the Government began realising that the electric sector was not going to meet future energy forecasts. During 2002 a World Summit on Sustainable Development (RIO+10) took place in Johannesburg and with it came a huge drive on renewable energy throughout the country. However, there was often a perception that using solar energy was an affordable luxury. This coupled with the lack of knowledge among some of the less established installers shed quite a negative view on solar products. In an effort to overcome these problems, Solar Heat developed a Solar Heat and Energy Training Centre. Hundreds of plumbers were trained over a couple of years in the Installation and operation of a Solar Heat Solar Hot Water System, they became known as Solar Heat Specialists. The industry also saw the need for accredited solar qualifications and a drive among various plumbing & construction bodies opened up new training courses & qualifications.
The Third Decade (2007 - 2017)
During 2008 ESKOM introduced a "cash-back" rebate system to help reduce the upfront costs of solar water heating systems.
As ESKOM rolled out this new rebate system, solar water heating became a more viable option to residents looking to go green. In 2011 the solar rebate ended and during the same year the Heat Pump rebate started, Solar Heat was offering both technologies to clients. All the qualified in house installers joined the PIRB (Plumbing Industry Registration Board) to become Certified Plumbers qualified to install both Solar and heat pumps.
The Present Day (2018)
Solar Heat now specialises in all aspects of Thermal systems for the residential, commercial and industrial sector.
With the increasing strain on South Africa’s energy grid and the rapid commercialisation of solar energy products, switching to solar has never been more relevant. With over 30 years experience Solar Heat endeavours to constantly improve its level of service and has all the tools necessary to supply a turnkey solar solution that fits your budget as well as your energy consumption needs. Allow us the opportunity to meet with you, assess your requirements and in turn provide the appropriate energy solution.
Our Services
Providing solutions that are both practical as well as financially viable.
Solar Heat has the expertise to assess your requirements. These assessments are vital in the designing of an appropriate energy efficient solution to meet a client’s unique needs.
The data logging can be done at many levels and considers many factors like total daily and time of use consumption, energy tariffs, budget, redundancy and future expansion or scalability. This is ascertained through client consultation, site evaluation as well as regular metering.
Commercial
Turnkey commercial solutions.
Solar Heat provides photovoltaic systems, heat pumps & hot water systems at a large-scale for commercial use. These systems when used by themselves or in conjunction with one another can drastically reduce daily operational energy costs. This is especially suited for industries with a constant energy need or large hot water needs.
Residential
Turnkey domestic solutions.
Heat pump systems can supply all your hot water needs at much less energy cost. A heat pump runs at one-third of the electrical usage of a standard geyser. Swimming pools can be heated with the sun or with a heat pump. Electricity produced from the sun can also reduce your daily energy cost & can be stored in batteries for backup purposes.
Supply
Quality equipment.
The sourcing of good quality solar equipment comes from years of industry experience. We know what to look for and have established reliable service partners within the industry. This ensures our products come with the correct backup and support.
Installations
In-house installation.
Our teams consist of PIRB certified & qualified plumbers, electricians, trainees as well as general workers. Each team member is competent in their skills, well-equipped to perform installations in a safe & professional manner. All workmanship is backed by a One year Warranty.
Maintenance
Project-specific.
Where turn-key solutions are offered, installations carry a one year maintenance service. Unique SLA’s per project are offered specific for each system. Feel free to contact our team to discuss a tailored maintenance solution.
Technologies
Our expertise in renewable energy technology is drawn from our vast experience & further augmented through ongoing training. Below we have outlined the four core technologies we engage with along with their features & benefits.
System Overview
Solar Heat provides quite a simple hot water system as it has proven to be the most reliable. The solar water heater circulates water due to natural convection. The water rises up from the highly efficient collectors (north-facing) as it begins to heat up. Once it reaches the well-insulated hot water storage tank, the water is kept warm. If the water is used within this timeframe it slowly cools and makes its way back to the bottom of the collectors for reheating. This process is known as “Thermosiphoning” and is one of the most reliable and cost-effective systems available on the market.
Features & Benefits
- The highly efficient collectors promise all year round comfort and energy independence. During times of prolonged overcast weather, a backup electrical element can be activated to boost water temperatures where necessary.
- The hot water heating system needs little maintenance for its operation. Due to the natural convection process, no pumps are required. However a pump can be installed if the tank needs to be positioned in the roof or not above the solar collector.
- The system can also be connected in series to your existing electrical or gas hot water systems where applicable. This is known as a “pre-feed system”.
System Overview
Solar Heat provides a cost-effective solution when it comes to pool heating. Our Alliance Heat Pump pool heaters are arguably the most economical way to extend your swimming season. The Alliance Heat Pump does not use a high current electric element, instead it works by compressing gas within a closed-circuit. This in conjunction with its heat exchanger allows heat to be transferred to your pool water with ease. Due to the nature of its design, the leftover compressed gas gets passed through an evaporator which makes it extremely cold. Thereafter a fan moves warm external air over the gas pipes. The “free” heat is then also absorbed from the air and is again transferred back to your pool water when the cycle repeats.
Features & Benefits
- The Alliance Heat Pump pool heater only uses as little as 1.5 – 3 kWh of electricity per hour to run its fan and compressor.
- The gas produced by the unit is eco-friendly R410A gas which ensures no pollution of the atmosphere.
- With a normal operating range of -7°C to +35°C, the Alliance unit is unaffected by rain, snow or clouds. It also comes with automatic defrosting protection built-in and can operate day and night.
System Overview
As an alternative to a pool heat pump system, Solar Heat provides the advanced Heliocol solar pool heating system. The system easily attaches onto your standard pool filtration system. As the filtration system pumps water from the pool to be filtered, it is then pushed up into the Heliocol solar panels on your roof, where it is substantially heated. The sun-warmed water then flows back directly into your pool, therefore heating your pool. The sun collectors consist of rounded tubes in a one-piece design and comes with mounting sleds to prevent any abrasion when expanding and contracting during general use.
Features & Benefits
- The open design resists any lift and stays put even in the highest wind conditions.
- The headers are over moulded over each individual collector tube, producing the strongest possible connection while still eliminating welds and cracks.
- Heliocol systems are supplied with patented panel clamps which eliminate the use of rubber hoses and metal clamps that require regular rooftop maintenance and replacement.
- Each and every tube opens into the header, eliminating backpressure which saves on wear & tear of your pool pump below.
System Overview
When you think of under floor heating, the first thing that often comes to mind is an exorbitant electrical bill at the end of the month. With water based under floor heating, these costs can be drastically reduced. Our Viega Fonterra system runs water through pipes in your floors to your desired temperature and can be connected to solar, heat pumps, gas or pellet burners. When opting for one of these systems you are choosing to be more eco-friendly and energy efficient.
Features & Benefits
- Better savings are achieved due to the ability of the radiant heating system compared to electrical under floor heating.
- The low operating temperatures & radiant heating automatically lead to better hygiene as the mild tempered surface does not cause noticeable convection.
- Heat radiation is a characteristic of surface tempering, this means the air is not heated but rather solid objects are.
System Overview
Photovoltaic (PV) power systems convert sunlight directly into electricity. A commercial PV power system enables a business to generate some or all of their daily electrical energy demand on their own roof, exchanging daytime excess power for future energy needs (i.e. night-time usage). The property remains connected to the electric utility at all times, so any power needed above what the solar system can produce is simply drawn from the utility. PV systems can also include battery backup or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) capability to operate selected circuits in the business for hours or days during utility outage.
Features & Benefits
- You use less electricity and can become independent from the grid.
- The average house roof can only accommodate a system size which produces 20 – 30kWh of electricity a day.
- For the commercial sector, PV systems provide a favourable internal return rate as the electricity generated is free after the initial payback period.
Project Gallery
Outlined below are some of the featured projects Solar Heat has actioned and delivered on. These projects showcase both residential and commercial projects combined.
Our Clients
Get In Touch With Us
To book an assessment with Solar Heat, simply fill out the form provided. Alternatively feel free to contact us directly with the contact details provided below. We would love to hear from you!
A: Unit 3, Fern Tower , Hylauma Street, Ferndale, Gauteng
T: 011 462 0024
E: info@solarheat.co.za