Christiaan Hattingh is the Managing Director of AWPower, a specialist solar and water engineering firm based in Cape Town. With over a decade of hands-on experience in solar PV systems, energy infrastructure design, and embedded generation regulations, Christiaan is regarded as one of South Africa’s foremost experts on renewable energy integration.
Under his leadership, AWPower has completed more than 500 solar installations across South Africa, including pioneering projects in solar-powered wastewater systems, multi-unit developments, and grid-export-enabled PV systems. Christiaan’s engineering expertise and passion for energy efficiency have positioned AWPower at the forefront of innovative clean energy projects – where reliability, compliance, and cost savings intersect.
When he’s not overseeing projects or speaking to the media, Christiaan champions industry collaboration and has helped shape solar best practices in line with insurance, regulatory, and engineering standards.
A frequent contributor to media outlets like MyBroadband and BusinessTech, Christiaan is known for his ability to translate technical energy challenges into practical, sustainable solutions for businesses, residential estates, and municipalities. His insights regularly inform national conversations around solar policy, compliance, and the financial viability of going off-grid.
Follow Christiaan’s articles for practical, experience-backed advice on navigating South Africa’s evolving energy landscape – from smart solar investments and export-ready systems to solar audits and EV-ready infrastructure.
In Claremont’s Harfield Village, AWPower engineers designed and installed a comprehensive rainwater harvesting system to address the homeowner’s desire to contribute to reducing strain on the municipal infrastructure, as well as gain a degree of water independence.
Integrated Rainwater Harvesting – Cape Town Case Study Read More »
The cost of generating electricity through a residential or commercial rooftop PV installation is approximately half of ESKOM’s cost for generation from burning coals. Likewise the average household or commercial building has access to technology that enables it to harvest most of its household water, safe for human consumption, from rainwater. Both electricity and water are dependent on storage capacity that will increase their effectiveness.
Rooftop Revolution for Energy & Water Read More »
AWPower engineers recently completed a sustainable living housing project in Harfield Village (Claremont) where, for large portions of the year, there is very little to no reliance on the electricity grid and municipal water supply. This is our story, with indication of approximate expenditure.
Converting to Sustainable Living Read More »
Can you imagine living in a house, independent from the municipality for your own electricity and water supply?
Invitation to Sustainable Living House Read More »
From our experience, it is more cost effective to deploy a conventional geyser fitted with a reduced capacity (Watts) element when a solar PV system is installed for residential or commercial use, than opting for a solar geyser.
Living with Solar #4 – What about Geysers? Read More »
The Holm family decided that they were paying too much for electricity, of which the supply was inconsistent, so they purchased an off-grid Solar PV solution from AWPower during December 2016. Here is their success story… Freedom at last! – by Tiki Holm The reasoning for getting rid of ESKOM and becoming independent as far as energy needs are concerned, was that 70% of our monthly ESKOM bill of approximately R2,000 was for line fees etc. and only 30% for actual energy consumption. With the inevitably spiralling price increases by ESKOM, as well as the spate of outages, it required no rocket science to realise that renewable energy would be the solution. I thus requested AWPower to design and supply a standalone off-grid solar system for our home on a small farm near Plettenberg Bay. I did the installation myself with the help of an electrician for the final connection. I was impressed by the professionalism and excellent back-up service and advice I received from AWPower. Especially their design engineer Warren Versfeld, who displayed endless patience with me and my ‘stupid’ questions. Thanks Warren! After about 2 months from installation I can report that everything is running smoothly with no problems or even adaptation in life style! I still haven’t got a generator as yet and have indeed not needed one up till now. The PV system generates more than we need but I must add that we have not had any real rainy or totally overcast days. I am amazed to see how much is still generated in cloudy conditions. System specs: 15 x 250 Wp panels (3.75kW), 48V lead acid Trojan battery system. MLT Oasis 6 kVA inverter & eTracer MPPT. Cost approximately R130,000 Incl. VAT
Off-Grid Solar PV system for Plettenberg Bay farmhouse Read More »
Recent dynamics in the energy sector allow for attractive savings to businesses, following a reduction of approximately 40% in the cost of solar PV modules during the past 6 months, and projected tariff increase of more than 20% per year from 2018, as predicted by MoneyWeb.
Living with Solar #3 – Business Savings Read More »
AWPower, in conjunction with our premier suppliers, are pleased to announce the promotion of a limited number of Solar PV Systems, up until 9 December 2016.
Home Solar PV Promotion (less 20%) Read More »
Following the release of “Living with Solar – Part 1”, AWPower received many enquiries about the cost of the various systems tested at our experimental site in Cape Town. In this edition, we elaborate on the costs of the most common type of PV systems including the factors that may have an influence on the costs, savings and payback period.
Living with Solar –Part 2 Read More »
Living with a solar PV (photovoltaic) system is very different from conventional electricity sourced from the grid. It has a magic that rubs off, making you aware and appreciative of its renewable nature, with the result that solar users become smart energy users. It has immense benefits in terms of cost reduction, as shown in the graph below, but it can also provide energy security.
Living with Solar –Part 1 Read More »
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