SA Affordable Housing November / December 2017 // Issue: 67 | Page 25

FEATURES CHALLENGES OF GOING GREEN The alternative energy industry is slowly developing in our country, PV panels and solar geysers are becoming more efficient and affordable. “The current cost of alternative energy use impacts on return on investment and does not warrant the installation of these items. This is where innovative financing and public private partnerships funding (PPP) becomes key to overcoming the cost challenges,” says Naicker. The inclusion of alternative energy can require specialist contractors that impacts on the building programme and logistics and, again, on costs. Naicker says that these factors aren’t all negative as skills development and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are growing in this sector. “If we provide thought through homes and communities and educate the community, we can greatly reduce our energy requirements,” says Naicker. WAY FORWARD Collecting rain water to flush toilets is also a way of being sustainable affordably. The most important factor is behaviour, educating the public on how the homes and communities are designed. Initiatives around this are also vital to the success of these projects. “We are still not taking full advantage of green initiatives in affordable housing projects though, the main concern is funding and getting return on investment, these challenges can be easily overcome through innovative financing of projects and the partnership of the public and private sectors,” says Naicker. Matelec domestic light fi ttings lead the way in quality and dependability Innovators, Manufacturers and Distributors of Electrical Products Matelec are leaders in affordable housing products. Matelec has been manufacturing affordable lighting for the past 40 years. We are proud of our quality and wide range which includes light fi ttings, daylight switches and many products which contractors have come to depend on. Matelec products are available from wholesalers countrywide, and our products are exported internationally. Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone] Pentrich Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 Email: [email protected] | www.matelec.co.za