DURING winter in Zimbabwe we generally have wonderfully clear and sunny skies, without smog and smoke from bushfires. This ensures an uninterrupted supply of sunlight that provides a huge amount of green, renewable, clean
and free energy which can be converted into electrical energy for power
using solar panels and thermal for heating water with solar heat collector tubes.
With winter, there are normally many power cuts and load-shedding, which can extend for hours and sometimes days, which result in everyone looking for alternate power and heating sources.
A well- designed and installed solar system for both power and water heating will provide many years of green, safe and reliable service. 
This will save you from having to go outside in the cold and dark to find keys for the generator and then find the battery is flat!
Or there is no fuel in the tank! No more stumbling around looking for candles and then can’t find the matches or risk burning yourself with the flames or split wax. No more getting home in winter to have a cold shower or bath.
With winter induced power outages it is better to be like a Boy Scout and “BE PREPARED” and have a well-designed and installed solar system for power and hot water.
Solar Geysers
Domestic electric water heating accounts for 20 to 30 percent of normal electricity costs and a solar hot water system will pay for itself within a very short time.
With the new technology heat pipe solar collectors heating water is very efficient with approximately 95 to 98 percent heat transfer and makes solar water heating a very viable option. 
With a solar geyser you have year round hot water and there is no more getting home from school or work and having a cold bath or shower in
mid-winter or any other time of the year. 
With careful management of your hot water, everyone in the home, school, clinic and etc can have hot water everyday.
Solar power is green, clean, renewable, reliable and constant.
After the initial capital outlay and low maintenance cost, it is then free to operate, with no more exorbitant monthly electricity bills.
Solar systems do not produce any carbon dioxide or other emissions that are harmful to the environment.
There is no smoke from burning wood or coal, it operates quietly in the background with no noise from generators and etc.
Easy installation and maintenance
Generally, solar systems are very easy to install and can be connected to existing plumbing and electrical systems. 
Maintenance is relatively easy and low cost as there are no moving parts or wear and tear.
Factors to consider in design of a solar power system
l Location
Either on grid as back for power outage and load-shedding; or off grid where no power is available.
l Usage
Average hours needed per day.
l Load
Total number of watts per appliance and number of appliances will give the total power (watts) needed.
l Design
Load (W) x Usage (hrs.) = WHrs / 5,5hrs (Av. Useable sunshine in Zimbabwe) = Watt peak (Solar panel size) / 12V; 24V or 48Volt = Battery bank needed.

l For more information please contact vondex@savonprime.com