Consumers look to alternate power solutions as SA’s load shedding crisis worsens
As the load shedding crisis worsens, South Africans are taking their power back and finding alternative power solutions.
According to Gary Lindhorst, Makro’s DIY Merchandise Manager, exceptionally strong sales growths have been recorded over the past months on load shedding-related products, such as generators, inverters, gas cooking tops, cylinders, rechargeable globes and lanterns.
“We are currently experiencing a very high demand for generators, inverters and backup power solutions nationwide in our stores. Year-on-year sales for alternate power-related categories have gone up by over 300%.”
The disruption caused by load shedding can be felt both in business and at home. Consumers are now more aware that alternatives do exist and they are looking into some of the new options offered at Makro.
“New products such as the Mobi-Volt, which is a portable device with a built-in Lithium-Ion battery and inverter, offer solutions from 0.5kw, 1.0kw, 2kw, 3kw and 5kw. These devices range in price from R14 999 to R59 999 and the largest unit (5kw) is approximately the size of a hand luggage suitcase. Customers can have these connected to their DB board with a coupler, which gives them the option to uncouple the unit for camping or use in the office. The large units can also be recharged between 5000 and 6000 cycles,” said Lindhorst.
“Powerwall is another fantastic solution that will be available in-store at Makro from the end of August 2022. This is going to be a popular solution for our customers because it can be fitted next to your DB board and connected by a qualified electrician within 90 minutes."
“Powerwall will be available in 5kw and 10kw units. These units are an integrated power system comprising of the latest inverter technology and the latest lithium phosphate battery technology with a management system to guarantee the user extended battery life," said Lindhorst.
The Powerwall gets charged through your electricity grid and when load shedding kicks in, your power continues seamlessly eliminating the impacts of load shedding.
“This alternative power solution gives customers the option of investing now as a step towards becoming less reliant on the grid, and at today’s prices. They can keep their lights on well into the future and save later by adding the panels to generate their own power," adds Lindhorst.
Powerwall is a 100% solar-ready solution that includes all of the accessories required to connect the system to solar panels. Another big plus is that the batteries are good enough to perform optimally for 6000 full recharge cycles and can recharge to full within 2 hours, so that takes care of stage 6 load shedding schedule.
"We are committed to helping our customers to live better by meeting this demand at affordable prices – especially in this volatile economy,” said Lindhorst.
More details on these products will be available on www.makro.co.za in August 2022.
Supplied by: Makro.
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