An Assessment of the Benefits and Challenges of Solar Water Heating in Thulamela Local Municipality, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province<b></b>
Azwifaneli Innocentia Nemushungwa ORCID ↗ · Livhuwani G. Nkondo Nkondo ORCID ↗ · Fhatuwani Robert Sikhitha
International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy · 2026 · Vol. 8 / Issue 4 · 733-744
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Abstract
Solar water heaters are an important renewable-energy technology for supporting household energy resilience and the energy transition in rural municipalities in South Africa. This study examines household experiences with solar water heaters in Thulamela Local Municipality, South Africa, using Diffusion of Innovations theory to understand the perceived benefits, challenges, and conditions that influence continued use following installation. Guided by an interpretivist paradigm, the study adopted a qualitative exploratory case study design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 purposively selected household participants and were analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti. Participants perceived solar water heaters as providing important household benefits, particularly reduced reliance on conventional electric water heating, reduced electricity expenditure, and access to hot water during electricity interruptions. However, high upfront costs, weather-dependent performance, limited technical support, inadequate public awareness, and restricted financial assistance emerged as important constraints on access, user experience, and continued use. The findings indicate that household experiences with solar water heaters are shaped by the interaction of perceived relative advantage, affordability, reliability, technical support, user knowledge, social learning, and institutional conditions. The study contributes context-specific qualitative insights suggesting that household renewable-energy interventions in rural municipalities may benefit from combining technology provision with financial accessibility, user education, reliable maintenance services, and coordinated institutional support.
Keywords: {'name': 'Solar water heaters; Renewable energy; Household energy; Rural municipalities; Energy transition; Diffusion of Innovations; Thulamela Local Municipality; South Africa'}
Authors & affiliations
Azwifaneli Innocentia Nemushungwa
University of Venda
Livhuwani G. Nkondo Nkondo
University of Venda
Fhatuwani Robert Sikhitha
University of Venda
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