The problem with completely going off the grid

[Daniel Puchert]

Massive unspoken problem with going off-grid

With Eskom reportedly planning to apply for another massive electricity price hike and its proposals that households pay higher fixed rates for access to the grid, many people might be contemplating completely severing their grid connection.

However, doing so could have severe unintended consequences for service delivery, which is already in crisis in many towns and cities.

 

[deweyzeph]

The City of Cape Town will NOT allow you to go off-grid (i.e. cancel your electricity account). In fact having a grid connection is compulsory before any building plans are approved.

 

[WollieVerstege]

The City of Cape Town will NOT allow you to go off-grid (i.e. cancel your electricity account). In fact having a grid connection is compulsory before any building plans are approved.

Do you have anything to substantiate this?

I am off the grid in CoCT and have been for years. Know of a few in my neighborhood that have disconnected as recently as March this year.

 

[HartsockZA]

Another article about how it's not my problem, cry us a river. Sure I get it this impacts the little guy but I tell you that little guy already knows the writing is on the wall.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Consequences of incompetence

 

[ghaye]

Eish, this argument again.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Eish, this argument again.

Yep!!

Incompetence and corruption caused the problem. Instead of fixing these, we need new laws.

 

[ghaye]

Yep!!

Incompetence and corruption caused the problem. Instead of fixing these, we need new laws.

Apologies if my message appears to refer to your post. It's in reply to the one below.

The City of Cape Town will NOT allow you to go off-grid (i.e. cancel your electricity account). In fact having a grid connection is compulsory before any building plans are approved.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Still - valid - you go completely of grid, but they have legislated that you will, regardless still have to have a connection to the grid, which they can use to tax you on even if you never ever make use of it in any fashion.

 

[Petec]

How much is the tariff for the 150g pot of bum Vaseline?

 

[Former member 61586]

The City of Cape Town will NOT allow you to go off-grid (i.e. cancel your electricity account). In fact having a grid connection is compulsory before any building plans are approved.

Basically turning connection fees from a service fee to a tax, just like refuse removal costs.

 

[system32]

Simple solution.

No need to go off grid if Metro / Eskom pay you for excess electricity that you feed back at a competitive rate and non of this Net-Zero scam.

 

[ESKOM ESLEG ESDOM ESKELM]

Sounds as if this Hanno Labuschagne chap is employed by ESKOM to discourage people from installing solar. Particularly since the prices have come down significantly.
Man Labuschagne jy skryf ń klomp blerrie snert tipies joernalis.
Jy het die kat aan die gat beet. You don't need as many panels as this ignorant Hanno suggests. You just incorporate a backup generator into you system and charge the batteries when there's been too little sunshine.

 

[rh1]

Do you have anything to substantiate this?

I am off the grid in CoCT and have been for years. Know of a few in my neighborhood that have disconnected as recently as March this year.

How big is your system?

 

[nicroets]

No one mentions that courts: I'm pretty sure the courts will say that if the municipality gives you bad service (BS billing, unreliable service with week long outages etc), then you can just disconnect and stop paying.

No need to enact new bylaws. Municipalities must just get their acts together ASAP!

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

No one mentions that courts: I'm pretty sure the courts will say that if the municipality gives you bad service (BS billing, unreliable service with week long outages etc), then you can just disconnect and stop paying.

No need to enact new bylaws. Municipalities must just get their acts together ASAP!

The means they have to stop eating, and that is not going to happen anytime soon.

 

[BBSA]

Still - valid - you go completely of grid, but they have legislated that you will, regardless still have to have a connection to the grid, which they can use to tax you on even if you never ever make use of it in any fashion.

It's possible that they might implement it in areas where the Municipality provides the connection, but it's unlikely in rural areas.

 

[tetrasect]

Massive unspoken problem with going off-grid

With Eskom reportedly planning to apply for another massive electricity price hike and its proposals that households pay higher fixed rates for access to the grid, many people might be contemplating completely severing their grid connection.

However, doing so could have severe unintended consequences for service delivery, which is already in crisis in many towns and cities.

Rubbish article.

You don't need to "oversize your system by a factor of three" to overcome week-long rain/cloud.

Firstly, this "massive problem" only happens like once, maybe twice a year. Secondly, you will still get power, just not as much. And thirdly, that weather is conducive to conserving energy because you're unlikely to be running pool pumps, washing clothes etc when it's raining outside.

Beats loadshedding by a long shot.

Also, if you really struggle during long rainy spells, you can just buy a small generator (which many already own) and charge your batteries back up in a couple hours. That will last you days and is way cheaper than "buying 3 solar systems" or running the generator 2-6 hours a day during loadshedding.

 

[Neuk_]

Massive unspoken problem with going off-grid

With Eskom reportedly planning to apply for another massive electricity price hike and its proposals that households pay higher fixed rates for access to the grid, many people might be contemplating completely severing their grid connection.

However, doing so could have severe unintended consequences for service delivery, which is already in crisis in many towns and cities.

My heart pumps lumpy custard, SOE's including Eskom need to at least meet their customers half way, instead of bleeding them dry to prop up their ineffective, inefficient, corrupt, thieving business model that has the sustainability of a McDonald's plant burger.

 

[ESKOM ESLEG ESDOM ESKELM]

No one mentions that courts: I'm pretty sure the courts will say that if the municipality gives you bad service (BS billing, unreliable service with week long outages etc), then you can just disconnect and stop paying.

No need to enact new bylaws. Municipalities must just get their acts together ASAP!

Nee wat I don't understand what you are trying to say.
To approach a court of law to fight this kind of thing is going to cost you more than the solar system. Besides there has been a massive decline in the quality of high court judges especially here in the Cape, probably due to the previous judge president. You just can't rely on our justice system anymore.