WWF-SA releases “Potential for solar thermal heating in South African hospitals” report
The Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) recently completed a study that investigates the potential for low temperature solar thermal technologies or solar water heating in South African hospitals. The study was commissioned by the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa (WWF-SA). The report provides an overview of the current implementation of solar thermal technologies at hospitals in South Africa, the solar resource and associated thermal potential in the country as well as the potential for solar thermal applications for all South African hospitals.
The study characterises the heat demand of hospitals in South Africa required for producing hot water used for domestic purposes and staff and patient ablutions. This characterisation is then used to investigate future projections in which solar thermal technologies can feasibility be used to reduce the dependence of hospitals on conventional heating technologies such as electrical and coal boilers and reduce carbon emissions. The study also identifies various challenges and difficulties affecting the uptake of solar thermal technologies in South African hospitals.
