Du Plessis, ChrisnaDu Plessis, Thomas Arnoldus Petrus2014-09-172014-09-172013Du Plessis, C & Du Plessis, TAP 2013, 'Funding the implementation of solar water heating in low-income housing in South Africa through the clean development mechanism', Journal of Construction, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 18-24.1012-277X1994-7402http://hdl.handle.net/2263/42017PURPOSE: This study investigated whether the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) could assist with the funding of low-pressure solar water heaters in low-cost housing in South Africa. It aimed to identify the minimum requirements for the CDM to succesfully act as a funding mechanism. METHODOLOGY: In this mixed-method study, qualitative methods, including a literature review, interview and case study, were used to inform the quantitative part of the study by identifying the key variables that had to be considered in developing a financial model that allowed the identification of the parameters that would make the CDM a viable funding mechanism. FINDINGS: It was found that the Clean Development Mechanism by itself cannot fund the installation of 110l LP-SWH in low-cost housing in South Africa. For a CDM programme to be financially viable the CER prices should be at levels above R80 each and the price per LP-SWH should be less than R3 388. LIMITATIONS: In determining the feasibility parameters the study only considered two variables: the CER price and the capital costs of a LP-SWH unit. VALUE OF THE PAPER: The paper offers policy makers and financial institutions an indication of the feasibility of the CDM as a financing mechanism for LP-SWH in low-income housing.enAssociation of Schools of Construction of Southern AfricaLow cost housingKyoto protocolFundingLow cost housingLow-pressure solar water heatersClean Development Mechanism (CDM)Article