It’s loadshedding season and small businesses are counting the cost. Are you ready for stage 8 rolling blackouts?

Ossie Carstens is the owner of Lightcycle Energy Management which provides alternative energy solutions that substantially reduce costs for electricity users. He helps business owners think creatively about renewable energy to find the solution that best suits their needs and budget.

I asked him how small business owners could survive loadshedding and keep their business open when the lights go out. 

Here are Ossie’s tips to prevent being left in the dark:

1. Make efficiency improvements before deciding on a renewable energy solution. This can save hugely on the capital and installation costs. These efficiency improvements can be:
   a) Install gas stoves where possible
   b) Install solar geyser/gas geyser where possible
   c) Install LED lamps where possible
   d) Install motion sensors where LED lamps are installed to ensure they only switch on when there are people/movement
   e) Install timers on the geysers to ensure they only switch on when there is solar energy available (when the sun shines)
   f) Install circuit breakers on high peak consumers (kettle, geysers, etc) with discrimination circuits. This will ensure they do not switch on simultaneously. Switching on simultaneously could double the peak load for short periods, and thus installing a system to cater for that is unnecessary.
   These improvements will ensure that energy peaks are kept at their lowest and will reduce the capital outlay. It is important to remember that one needs to install PV panels to cater for the peak, and the excess energy generated during times of lower demand during the day will ensure that, for the same capital outlay, excess energy can be stored in batteries for use outside of the solar day.

1. Ensure the design of the system has the end in mind when you install a scalable solution. For instance, plan to build a small distribution board at first, feed the necessary items from there and scale it up from there.

2. Always choose a hybrid invertor with excess capacity. That will allow for an opportunity to expand with either PV panels or batteries with the minimal outlay.

3. Always ensure that your system is optimised in such a way that the batteries are always fully charged at sunset.

4. Arrange to clean the panels at least three times with soapy water. If possible, install a tap at roof level to ease cleaning.

Lightcycle’s approach is unique: Ossie first does a load profile when he assesses energy consumption in a residence or business. “I then analyse it and find a workable solution for the client. That is why there is no one-size-fits-all solution, because everyone’s needs are different. This is different to the ‘bakkie brigade’ who offer instant solutions from the back of their bakkie.”

Renewable energy makes sense because businesses will soon have to report on their carbon footprint and will be taxed accordingly. Small businesses can reduce their tax bill by meticulously recording improvements/savings and claiming it from SARS. Renewable energy also provides a reliable and sustainable alternative to the main grid in its current state and form.