Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA)

Company Profile

Since inception in the 1970s, the role of the Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA) has been promoting greener forms of energy through its Solar Water Heating Division.

South Africa has the perfect climate for SWH (Solar Water Heating) and those with SWH systems stand to make sound economic savings on their electricity bills.  Furthermore, with the electricity price hike and Eskom offering a rebate for the installation of SWH, there’s no better time like the present to change to solar heating; higher electricity prices will also result in the back-pay period being reduced for your initial solar water investment.

SESSA is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the creation and continued growth of an authoratative renewable energy forum in Southern Africa. The society works to enhance and improve the growth of the renewable energy sector in Southern Africa and entice sound investment opportunities.

With the rapid growth in the SWH sector, South African consumers are faced with an overwhelming array of choice. There is no doubt of a need for standards – SESSA is an organisation that ensures quality of product and integrity of supplier. Its growing membership attests to its success at enhancing the credibility of the industry.

Membership, which is voluntary, is primarily drawn from manufacturers, importers, distributors and installers of solar water heating utilities and consultants. The value of SWHD membership lies in enhancing integrity, access to information and relevant news about the industry.  Partnerships with government, big business, the banking fraternity, similar NGOs and associations, insurers, the South African Bureau of Standards, parastatals and in particular, Eskom aim to expand demand for SWH and enhance compliance and standardisation, creating champions for the industry.

About us (boiler)

Global Warming is the most pressing challenge of our time caused by the increased burning of fossil fuels like oil and coal. 90% of South Africa’s electricity is generated by coal burning power stations and as a result our carbon emissions are high relative to our GDP; South Africa is also the 14th highest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world.  The answer to rising energy costs and the threat of climate change is the increased use of renewable energy.  In the case of sunny South Africa that means making better use of solar energy given our high quality solar radiation.

SESSA (The Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa) has been making the case for greener forms of energy since the 1970s; SESSA SWHD is the Solar Water Heating Division of SESSA.  South Africa has the perfect climate for SWH (Solar Water Heating) – and those with SWH systems stand to make sound economic savings on their electricity bills.  Furthermore, with electricity prices set to rise, and Eskom offering a rebate for the installation of SWH, it has never been a better time to change to solar; this also means shorter pay-back periods on your solar water investment.

In line with President Jacob Zuma’s announcement at Copenhagen of a 34% reduction in emissions by 2020, SESSA SWHD’s vision of one square meter of installed capacity of solar heating per person by the year 2020, is well-poised to assist government in achieving this emissions target.

The SWH sector in South Africa is rapidly expanding and consumers face an overwhelming array of choice.  There is a need for standards and guidance; an organisation that ensures quality of product and integrity of supplier.  SESSA SWHD is that organisation and its growing membership base is testimony to its success at enhancing the credibility of the industry.  The growth of the solar water market will also be increasingly driven by South Africa’s need to diversify its energy mix and create security of supply.

Membership, which is voluntary, is primarily drawn from importers, manufacturers, distributors and installers of solar water heating utilities and consultants, and open to businesses at large.  Some of the value of SWHD membership lies in enhanced integrity, access to information and relevant news about the industry.  Our members also have access to key policy decisions, research, revenue opportunities as well as networking platforms with industry players. SWHD members can also utilise the Eskom rebate programme which subsidises the purchase and installation of SWH.

Partnerships with government, banks, insurers, big business, parastatals, similar NGOs and associations, the DOE, the South African Bureau of Standards and Eskom are aimed at expanding demand for SWH as well as enhancing compliance and standardisation.  It’s good news for consumers, suppliers and the environment that this cost effective and clean way of water heating has a worthy champion.

SESSA SWHD Fact Sheet

• SESSA (The Sustainable Energy Society of South Africa) is a non-profit organisation (NPO) that was established in 1974. Its purpose is to promote the growth of the renewable energy sector
• SESSA SWHD (Solar Water Heating Division) is a division of SESSA and its membership is primarily drawn from importers, manufacturers, distributors and installers of solar water heating products
• Membership is voluntary, but members must sign a code of conduct and responsibility that commits them to honest and sound business practice
• SESSA SWHD currently raises funds for its running costs via membership fees
• There are currently 400 members countrywide
• There are various categories of membership, including membership for individuals, 4 different levels of corporate membership as well as memberships for Parastatals, NGOs and students
• The value of SWHD membership lies in enhanced credibility, access to information, policy developments, networking and relevant news about the industry.  Furthermore only SWHD members can utilise the Eskom rebate programme which subsidises the purchase and installation of solar water heating
• SESSA SWHD envisions one square meter of installed capacity of solar heating per person by the year 2020 (in South Africa)
• SESSA SWHD has articulated the following goals to help achieve its vision:
• Promote and educate consumers on standards and the need for regulations
• Educate SWHD members on the need for standards and compliance
• Educate members and the consumers of the environmental and socio-economic benefits of installing and supporting solar water
• Continue to work with the South African Bureau of Standards in developing and refining standards
• Promote training in the industry
• Source potential strategic partners
• Lobby government for mandatory installations of solar water heating for buildings where appropriate
• Support Eskom with the current Solar Water Heating Rebate Programme
• Assist in developing financing products to increase the sales of solar water heating
• Communicate with the South African Insurance Association and make the case for replacing electric geysers with solar water heating

Vision and Mission

Vision statement:
Our vision is one square meter of installed capacity of solar heating per person by the year 2020.

Mission statement:
SESSA SWHD is a non-profit organisation dedicated to growing the solar water heating industry in South Africa by building the quality of membership of the organisation; enhancing standards and good business practice; supporting a renewable energy supply mix; raising awareness about the environmental and socio-economic benefits of  solar water heating.

Our short term goal is an organisation that is driven by diversity and unrivalled quality with an installed capacity of 50 square km by 2020.