Everything Counts is a bi-weekly podcast series that dives into money and financial wellness, hosted by 702’s Motheo Khoaripe. Each episode unpacks practical aspects of personal finance-how to save, spend, invest, and make smart decisions to boost your financial well-being.

In this episode, Motheo is joined by De Wet Taljaard (Technical Advisor at Investec Sustainable Solutions), Kirk Palmer (Director at Solafi), and Andrew Winstone (CEO at Energy LED) to tackle one of South Africa’s hottest topics: solar power and energy efficiency for households.

They break down the current state of the energy crisis in South Africa, the realities of Eskom, and the future of electricity. The panel shares actionable tips on how to reduce your energy bill; from switching to LED lighting to using your geyser smartly and choosing energy efficient appliances.

The panel explains the different types of solar systems, the cost of solar panels for home and how to choose a solar system for your home.

Whether you’re ready to invest in solar or just want to make your home more energy efficient, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you make informed decisions and take control of your energy future.

00:00 Introduction

01:36 The current energy crisis in South Africa

03:05 The Energy Availability Factor (EAF)

04:28 The impact of power failures in municipalities

05:10 How to curb the cost of power failures in your home

05:50 How to use lights to reduce energy consumption and save costs

07:39 Energy efficient options to cut costs in the home

8:36 How to use the energy efficiency metric

09:14 Insulation in the home

10:24 Home solar system costs and the return on investment

12:49 Types of solar systems on the market and the costs involved

14:50 Maintenance and lifespan of solar systems

15:30 Choosing the right solar system

17:32 Sectional titles and body corporates

18:45 Compliance and safety considerations

20:10 Eskom direct connected customer requirements

21:20 Why registration is the responsibility of the business or homeowner

21:52 Meeting the requirements to get your system registered

22:17 Financing opportunities for solar systems

22:45 Funding solutions for Investec clients

23:18 Cape Town versus Johannesburg: feeding back into the grid

25:32 Energy saving tips

26:08 Increasing energy independence and savings for the future

27:20 How can you prepare for South Africa’s growing water crisis? Listen to the whole Everything Counts series on Investec Focus Radio SA Investec Focus Radio SA