Renewable energy strategies for low cost housing in South Africa : case studies from Cape Town.

Abstract

This dissertation explores renewable energy strategies for low-income housing in South Africa using several case studies from the City of Cape Town and surrounding areas. The paper engages with the background and theories underpinning renewable energy for low income housing, analysing the key literature and focusing on renewable energy policies and current research in Cape Town, South Africa. It attempts to analyse the implications of current policy, the practical implications of renewable energy in low income housing developments and the conflicts that can occur between environmental and poverty interventions. The research for this paper involved face to face interviews with individuals working in the renewable energy for low income housing field or exposed to projects of this type. From these interviews it emerged that renewable energy interventions in housing can more significantly reduce environmental impact when applied in middle and upper income housing developments. but also that particular kinds of renewable energy and energy efficiency interventions are suitable for low income housing developments. It became clear that the role of the town planner is central in ensuring the success of renewable energy projects, and that political will is also a key factor.