Opportunities for the Financial Sector in Financing Low-Income Housing Energy Projects in South Africa

This paper explores the opportunities available for financial institutions in low-income housing sustainable energy projects, such as solar water heating (SWH), in South Africa. It considers what contribution the financial sector can make, as well as the policy environment under which it might do so. Available financial products include banking products, insurance products, and investment funds to intervene at strategic points in the value chain (e.g., production of SWH, household financing of SWH, trading of certified emissions credits).