Abstract
Electricity is critical in modern South Africa, where the state utility Eskom is a significant player, and residents rely solely on Eskom for electricity. Still, the country's energy sector faces challenges, resulting in outages and reliability concerns. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower and biomass are popular solutions to these challenges. The study uses a model-based systems engineering approach to assess the feasibility of renewable energy technologies in Protea Glen, Soweto, with the study's objectives being to investigate requirements, identify barriers, evaluate technologies and develop end-user solutions.
The research methodology combined quantitative and qualitative techniques to address the challenges of adopting renewable energy in low-income Protea Glen, Soweto.
The findings revealed that most residents earn between R0 and R9 999 and lack stable jobs, making it difficult for them to invest in renewable energy. Moreover, the area is unsuitable for wind energy as it lacks open spaces that allow for consistent wind movement. An energy mix combining various energy sources is recommended to accommodate the demand for an additional energy source and the hesitancy to abandon fossil fuels altogether. A well-structured funding model is urgently required for affordability, and stakeholder engagement is crucial. The adoption of a renewable energy mix by consumers will create more sustainable energy systems. There is a need for attention amongst all stakeholders on the funding model and funding policies.