Can Solar Power South African Business?

Can solar power South African business? There are some self-evident reasons why we want the answer to be yes. Firstly, we cannot expect Eskom to be able to provide consistent electricity at an affordable cost. Secondly, we will not be able to abate global warming without a quick transition from fossil fuels to green energy, like wind and solar. These two may be obvious, but there are other potential benefits too. Investment into green is growing at exponential rates, and this trend will likely accelerate. With the right policies and incentives, it’s easy to imagine how South Africa could develop new industries, from which hundreds of thousands of new jobs are created, with opportunities in manufacturing, technology and various other high-value export markets. But…, these opportunities are not new. Solar has been a viable alternative for some years, yet adoption rates have been glacial. In this session, Prof. Guy Midgley and Jaco Burger will join me, and I hope to learn three things: 1. Is solar a viable energy source for South African businesses, including the industrial sector? 2. What impact could a material shift to solar have in our race to carbon neutrality? 3. And what changes would be required to accelerate this transformation If we have time, which is a big if with only 45 minutes scheduled, but if we do, I’m hoping to learn more about the other levers that could be pulled to make sure my children don’t have to enter Chief Twit Elon’s Mars lottery draw. See you on the 23rd Nov. **Please note - the event organisers may use the above information to send communications from time to time about their offerings**