Amid increasing concerns over rising electricity costs and a growing demand for sustainable energy, vertically integrated sustainable technology group Rubicon’s Apex SGS solar geyser system offers an innovative and smart approach to energy efficiency in water heating.

Designed and manufactured locally, the system prioritises the use of solar energy, consequently reducing reliance on grid electricity and supporting South Africa’s transition towards greener energy solutions, Apex national sales head Ruan Smith tells Engineering News.

Its focus on solar energy, combined with real-time data monitoring and regulatory compliance, also ensures that the system provides significant energy savings.

Smith adds that the company’s commitment to sustainability aligns with national and global trends, as countries work to mitigate the effects of climate change and the cost of current energy sources, including natural gas.

The Apex SGS system incorporates intelligent decision-making to optimise water heating during peak periods with solar PV energy.

Smith says the system “schedules energy use in a judicious manner by monitoring energy availability and consumption patterns” and incorporating these factors into the schedule.

This ensures that solar power is the primary source for heating, with grid electricity used only when necessary. By adapting to real-time data, the Apex SGS offers a cost-effective and energy efficient alternative to conventional electric water heaters, he notes.

For households and businesses reliant on hot water for operations, such as gyms and hotels, scheduling energy use and controlling heating times is particularly valuable.

The system’s user-friendly monitoring platform enables users to set specific time slots for water heating, ensuring that hot water is available when needed without unnecessary energy expenditure, Smith adds.

This feature “does not require additional plumbing work”, as it can be retrofitted into existing infrastructure, resulting in significant energy savings for users, with Rubicon’s data showing that the system can reduce grid electricity use by about 60% a year.

The system is also integrated with ApexOS, Rubicon’s operating software, which enables users to monitor and control water heating remotely. ApexOS provides the flexibility to enable or disable specific devices, adjust settings and troubleshoot issues in real time.

This functionality “increases operational control and flexibility”, which Smith says further enhances the system’s energy-saving potential.

Regulatory Standards

The Apex SGS complies with South Africa’s energy efficiency regulations.

The system meets the South African National Standard 10400-XA:2021 requirement, which mandates that at least 50% of a household’s hot water production come from a source other than the grid.

The system’s approval by the City of Cape Town for use within its network further underscores its role in advancing renewable-energy adoption, and Smith notes that the city’s endorsement supports the use of the Apex SGS as an intelligent hot water controller to reduce grid demand and improve energy resilience.