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Solar Energy

Investment company on track to meet net-zero energy goals

By: Nadine Ramdass 6th September 2024 As part of its ambition to achieve Landlord Scope 1 and 2 Net-Zero Carbon by 2030 as well as implement sustainable practices, property investment company Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) has successfully implemented portfolio-wide energy management improvements, says sustainability lead specialist Brian... →

Cybersecurity crucial for companies embracing solar

By: Nadine Ramdass 6th September 2024 As more companies integrate solar energy systems to meet their power needs, it is essential that they invest in cyber-secure technologies to protect against cyberthreats and ensure continuous power, says.solar technology specialists SolarEdge Technologies cybersecurity programme director Uri... →

FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS Companies must carefully consider future regulatory changes when investing in solar systems

EU targets carbon emissions through import tariff

By: Nadine Ramdass 6th September 2024 The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), set to come into effect in 2026, is poised to drive companies exporting to the EU to rethink their energy strategies and adopt renewable-energy solutions, such as solar power, says solar installation specialist Solana Energy business development... →

An image of solar panels installed for a manufacturer

WEIGHING OPTIONS Businesses exporting to the EU will incur import charges according to Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism if they do not invest in renewable-energy

Competitive energy sector drives innovation

By: Nadine Ramdass 6th September 2024 The competitive landscape for utility-scale renewable energy has significantly changed over the past decade, with developers driving more aggressive funding terms to remain competitive, says financial institution Standard Bank power head Rentia van Tonder. The shift in the competitive landscape... →

An image of Standard Bank power head Rentia van Tonder

RENTIA VAN TONDER Financing solutions need to be innovative and adaptable

Emerging solar tech crucial in energy mix

By: Nadine Ramdass 6th September 2024 Solar power integration, through PV, concentrated solar power (CSP) technology in specific applications, and hybrid solutions including battery energy storage systems (BESS), is crucial in South Africa’s energy mix as global energy demands continue to rise, says independent power producer (IPP)... →

An image of ENGIE South Africa engineering head Seshni Naidoo

SESHNI NAIDOO Solar energy is crucial in ensuring a sustainable, secure and affordable energy supply

New inverter, battery solutions distributed

By: Halima Frost 21st September 2023 Energy technology provider Midea Energy Solutions, a product division of global appliance and air conditioning manufacturer Midea, has partnered with local distributors Livance Distributors and Fourways Group to launch the Midea Energy Solutions range of inverter and energy storage products. The... →

SOLAR CONVERSION The new range of inverters and battery storage solutions offered by Midea

Solar energy storage system launched

8th September 2023 The pressing need for effective energy storage systems has become undeniable owing to the severe energy crisis marked by an unreliable power supply and frequent, at times, daily loadshedding. In this challenging landscape, the Row Pow Energy Storage System emerges as a solution to the power... →

A portrait photo of Valso Trading CEO Svilen Voychev

SVILEN VOYCHEV Valso Trading CEO Svilen Voychev says the Row Pow system is poised to revolutionise the energy storage industry in South Africa Caption 02:

Firm offers immediate solar solutions

8th September 2023 Solar energy company SunSource Solutions remains committed to not only providing immediate solutions to South Africa's energy challenges but also contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. By promoting the adoption of solar energy, the company aims to reduce carbon... →

ONE OF MANY SunSource Solutions offers many solar energy solutions to the South African Market

Solar streetlights installed along Gqeberha street

By: Halima Frost 8th September 2023 Lighting manufacturer BEKA Schréder has supplied its solar lighting highmast the SOLARFLOOD solution for the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, along a stretch of Stanford road in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, in June. This installation is the result of the municipality’s initiative to keep cables... →

A 20m high streetlight with a solar panel on top installed along Stanford Road in Gqeberha with the area in the background

FLYING HIGH The solar power street light installation by BEKA Shreder on Stanford Road in Gqeberha lights up the road and area during loadshedding

GameChange Solar

8th September 2023 GameChange Solar is a leading global supplier of innovative solar trackers and fixed tilt racking solutions driven by its mission to repower the planet with clean solar energy. With over 29 GW sold, GameChange Solar systems combine fast installation, superior quality and unbeatable value through... →

Firm pushing for investment in energy projects

By: Halima Frost 8th September 2023 Having realised the potential of particularly solar energy in the renewable-energy sector, independent investment and advisory firm Bravura aims to implement additional in-house capabilities to further develop and promote energy projects. “The decision has been made in the wake of a number of... →

An aerial view of the Westgate Shopping centre with teh rood almost completely covered in a solar photovoltaic panel array

GATE TO ENERGY The Westgate shopping centre is one of many projects being implemented by SolarSaver with the investment assistance of Bravura

Group installs 1.1 MW solar system at manufacturing facility

By: Halima Frost 8th September 2023 After a year of planning and installing alternating-current and direct-current solutions, standby equipment manufacturer Static Power has commissioned a 1.1 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) grid-tied system at its ACTOM Medium Voltage Switchgear manufacturing facility in Knights, Gauteng. Static Power... →

solar panels on the roof of Static Powers's factory as part of a 1.1 MW solar photovoltaic grid-tied system

THE SMART CHOICE Actom Smart Technologies division Static Power has installed a 1.1 MW solar photovoltaic grid-tied system at its factory in Knights Gauteng

First skid delivered to Free State client

By: Halima Frost 8th September 2023 Prefabricated deployment solutions developer Turnkey Modular rolled out the first of multiple solar alternating current (ac), low-voltage/medium-voltage, step-up skid or ‘E-Houses’ in July for chemicals and energy company Sasol Chemicals Midlands, in Sasolburg, in the Free State. The skid will be... →

A solar alternating current (ac), low-voltage/medium-voltage, step-up skid or ‘E-House' on show at Turnkey modular's manufacturing site in Germiston

POWER HOUSE The solar alternating current, low-voltage/medium-voltage, step-up skid or ‘E-House' has been delivered to Sasol Midlands

SA’s aggressive decarbonisation strategy to start

By: Claire O'Reilly 21st January 2022 South Africa is planning to source 41% of its total energy supply from renewable energy –including solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, hydropower and concentrating solar thermal power components – by 2030, which energy solutions provider Energy Partners Intelligence head of business development Tygue... →

Integrated solution offers less reliance on national grid

By: Claire O'Reilly 21st January 2022 South Africa-based renewable-energy solutions company Solareff has designed and installed an integrated solar photovoltaic (PV), diesel generator and battery energy storage system (BESS), with an engineered energy management system (EMS), for a retail developer on the West Rand. →

Picture of the PV panels on the roof of a retail development on the westrand

SUNNY SOLUTIONS Now about 30% of the electricity load is generated from solar energy for a retail developer on the West Rand, generated from these photovoltaic panels

Solar streetlight designed for longevity

By: Claire O'Reilly 21st January 2022 Last month, lighting solution manufacturer Beka Schréder began the first SOLARPOLE project roll-out in the country. →

Picture of BEKA Schréder's new SOLARPOLE design

SOLARPOLE LUMINAIRE The SOLARPOLE is a vertical, aesthetic solar lighting solution for road and urban applications

Backlog indicates high demand for solar

By: Darren Parker 15th January 2021 Energy storage manufacturer Solar MD has a backlog of 14 MWh in terms of battery orders, and a backlog of 1 200 orders for the Logger V2, the company’s monitoring and control system. “This demand speaks volumes to the critical renewable-energy gap in South Africa, particularly with regard to... →

HIGH TECH Solar MD’s research and development teams are working constantly to improve the performance of the company’s products

Underserved Lesotho communities to benefit from solar delivery

By: Darren Parker 15th January 2021 Containerised off-grid solar systems manufacturer SustainSolar was contracted by minigrid developer OnePower Lesotho to deliver the first batch of seven modular, turnkey and rapid-deployment Sustain Compact solar power solutions to Lesotho early this year. “The Sustain Compact solar power... →

EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY The delivery of seven containerised solar solutions to Lesotho will provide electricity for healthcare facilities in underserved communities

Company adds solar inverters and drives to suite of solutions

15th January 2021 Engineering solutions provider BMG’s electromechanical specialists have extended its solutions service to include solar inverters and drives, which are designed to enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems. “PV modules – which use daylight to generate electricity – are gaining... →

READY FOR ANYTHING The BMG-supplied Vacon IP66 drives and Nema 4X enclosures are well-protected against water and dust ingress

Company ready for larger-scale projects

By: Darren Parker 15th January 2021 With the global trend of microgrid hybrid power solutions, solar solutions company Vert Energy was presented with a unique opportunity by property development company O’Nit Developments, whose strategic intent was to develop a power management solution that optimised the available energy sources... →

FULL CONTROL The installation, with remote monitoring and remote access, ensures that the client has full control over the system remotely

Low tax reduces solar incentive

By: Darren Parker 15th January 2021 The relatively low value of carbon tax in South Africa, and numerous allowances that government made available in year one of the Carbon Tax Act’s implementation, which took effect in June 2019, have resulted in there being little incentive currently for solar energy, technology company EDS... →

OFFSET Solar energy is a “carbon positive” method of generating electricity, and those who implement it qualify for carbon credits

Investment value of solar water heating increasing

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 17th January 2020 With the cost of electricity increasing, solar water heating systems manufacturer Uber Solar MD James Green says such systems for geysers are a good long-term investment for commercial use. “The payback on water heating conversions of geysers to solar is between 20 months to three years. With a... →

Solar streetlights cater for lighting requirements

17th January 2020 Lighting manufacturer BEKA Schréder’s locally designed and manufactured solar street lights for outdoor residential and public applications provide a full customisable option to suit all off-grid solar lighting requirements. BEKA Schréder marketing manager Grant Combrink says the BEKA Solar,... →

LIGHTEN UP The photovoltaic process is optimized by efficient polycrystalline solar module technology to maximise solar energy

Additional development zones for wind and solar PV

17th January 2020 The second phase of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy in South Africa proposes three additional Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZs) for wind and solar photovoltaic energy projects. The REDZs support the responsible implementation of... →

Solar viable amid power outages

17th January 2020 Power outages and policy uncertainty remain a continued threat to business and economic growth, and it remains to be seen how new State-owned power utility Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter can work with the government to stabilise the energy provider. One thing is certain, power will not be getting any... →

Company provides rooftop PV systems in S Africa

17th January 2020 Rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems are extremely exposed and therefore especially vulnerable to damage caused by the direct and indirect results of lightning strikes. Since the PV system is directly connected to the electrical installation of the building, lightning strikes can have severe... →

Modules finalisation nearing completion

By: Halima Frost 25th January 2019 The South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (Saretec) has taken on the custodian role as the national renewable-energy-sector educator and hopes to have finalised all five occupational certificates of the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Qualification through its collaboration with Manufacturing,... →

HOME BASE Saretec is based at the Cape Peninsular University of Technology

Solar inverter available for water pumps

By: Halima Frost 25th January 2019 Obtaining water in rural and domestic environments from boreholes, ponds and dams is now easier, with technical solutions provider BMG’s Motoline P19000-S series of solar inverters for photovoltaic (PV) water pumps. The solar inverters are used to power pumps for agricultural irrigation and... →

EASY PEASY Solar inverters make rural irrigation systems easier to power

Solar streetlights installed at mine

By: Halima Frost 25th January 2019 Lighting manufacturer BEKA Schréder’s LEDlume-midi 36/55W luminaire, used in solar lighting solutions has been used at four intersections leading to iron-ore and manganese mine Assmang’s Black Rock mine, in the Northern Cape. “The intersections leading to the different sections of the mine have... →

ILLUMINATING The solar installation at the Black Rock mine has made the intersections leading to the mine more visible and safer

Investors will continue to invest in solar

By: Halima Frost 25th January 2019 Specialist banking company Investec Bank will continue to offer funding to viable projects in the renewables sector as solar photovoltaic (PV) technology becomes more cost effective. Southern Africa – more notably the Northern Cape province, in South Africa, and Namibia – is considered as one of... →

ANDRE WEPENER Asserts that South Africa’s recent reinvestment of power-generation projects are capital intensive

Improved film helps extend solar panel lifetime

By: Halima Frost 25th January 2019 With a focus on continuous innovation, science multinational DuPont is developing a new and improved clear Tedlar film to increase efficiency and the life of a solar panel well beyond the industry standard of 30 years. The Tedlar film is made of polyvinyl fluoride polymer – which is a more... →

CRACKING UNDER PRESSURE Solar panels are showing signs of deterioration sooner than anticipated owing to harsher environments

Microgrids using solar energy to meet energy demands

26th January 2018 Communities and producers in Africa are struggling with energy deficits caused by a lack of infrastructure access in some cases and poor energy quality and high-power costs in others, explains procurement and construction services provider Black & Veatch. As a result, Black & Veatch has... →

SOLAR SOLUTION Providing power through solar power projects is just one of many solutions that could grant electricity access to communities

Need for more energy increases demand for solar power

By: Victor Moolman 26th January 2018 With electricity demand in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region increasing, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Engineering’s Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies senior researcher Karin Kritzinger believes that solar water heaters can be one of the major... →

Photo by Duane Daws
WIDESPREAD POWER There are several solar farms across the member countries of the Southern African Development Community

Solar energy can reduce tariff hike strain on consumers

26th January 2018 With the ruling of the Constitutional Court having allowed power utility Eskom to retrospectively ask the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to claw back additional tariffs from consumers, solar energy equipment supplier Energy Partners Home Solutions believes that this could lead to... →

Three-year project reaches completion

By: Victor Moolman 26th January 2018 Technology solutions provider Jasco has completed its three-year solar farm project, which has reduced its maximum electricity demand by 27% and its reliance on State-owned power utility Eskom by 33%. “Phase 1 of the project – which started in April 2015 – resulted in the installation of 53 kWp... →

School installs solar system at boarding house

26th January 2018 The South African College High School (SACS), in Cape Town, made a commitment to clean energy by installing a solar system at its Rosedale Boarding House. The solar system was installed in November by Energy Partners Home Solutions, part of the PSG group of companies. SACS deputy headmaster Barry... →

Company supplies solar electricity system to NPO

27th January 2017 By way of its distribution partner and project implementer, Solek Innovations, high-tech solar power solutions manufacturer SolarWorld Africa supplied a solar electricity system to the Grootbos Foundation, in the Western Cape. SolarWorld donated the solar system while Solek provided a free of... →

Solar opportunities raised at exhibition

27th January 2017 After the success of Solar Africa 2015, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya, organiser of trade events Expogroup announced the return of Solar Africa 2017 from June 10 to 12. Expogroup highlights that one of the major challenges in the renewable energy... →

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