SolarWorld Africa prepares for growing demand

20 Nov 2014

SolarWorld believes that its 30-year history of solar power generation in Africa will give it comparative advantage to scale up renewable energy supply to meet growing market demand for electricity.

SolarWorld Africa prepares for growing demand

While South Africa is leading the African market with its successful Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPP), it is the accumulation of solar power projects outside of the REIPP, residential, commercial, agricultural and infrastructural, where the future of renewable energy generation lies.

Gregor Küpper, MD of SolarWorld Africa, addressed solar industry partners at an event at the German South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Joburg recently. Showcasing SolarWorld Africa's 30-year presence in Africa, the event was held to provide an opportunity for industry experts to discuss and give insight into the African solar power market. The panellists shared their knowledge and experience with SolarWorld products over the many years and gave insight into what the future holds for solar power in Africa.

A potential game changer

Küpper said: "Solar power is a potential game changer for more than 50% of Africa's 1.1billion people who have no access to electricity and may reposition Africa at the forefront of global energy sustainability. This would mean access to medical care technology, clean water, refrigeration to preserve food and digital media for education and greater participation in the information age."

SolarWorld traces its own history of photovoltaic power generation to Arco Solar opening an office in Nigeria in 1984 when these pioneers first recognised Africa's ability to harness the sun's energy 365 days a year due to its high average annual irradiation levels, which far exceed America's or Europe's.

Küpper added: "Together with our partners, we are proud that with 30 years we have the longest track record of solar electricity projects on the African continent. Globally, we are the only manufacturer that is in the market longer than the warranties we offer on our solar systems. We thank our partners for their continued support, as their commitment to our product is the best proof of our unique and long-term quality offering. We look forward to many more successful and sustainable solar projects together."

Powering all sectors of the economy

Küpper stipulated: "Today, solar power is already driving almost every sector of South Africa's economy. Over the last 30 years, SolarWorld Africa has undertaken a number of strategic, large scale projects.

These include:

In agriculture, the Dube Tradeport IDZ in Durban, the Cape Span and Rooibos plants in the Western Cape in which solar electricity is used to provide renewable energy for the production of agricultural food supply;

In ICT services, the Vodacom Head Office in Century City in which solar electricity is providing energy for this leading mobile service provider's business services;

In health care, solar electricity is being used at Mitchells Plain Hospital and Khayelitsha Hospital;

In manufacturing, SolarWorld has helped Puma sportswear manufacturer, Imphala Clothing, lead the global brand's sustainability drive with a solar-powered factory;

In education, the German International School in Cape Town has installed solar power as a back up to energy requirements for students; and

In tourism and hospitality, rural lodges and camps are being powered by solar electricity.

Küpper added: "SolarWorld's commitment to sustainability and social innovation is also playing a lead role in local market innovation."

This year, SolarWorld Africa sponsored the solar-powered mobile office for the 2014 SASOL Solar Challenge which was won by the Dutch team while the University of KwaZulu-Natal was the leading local team.

SolarWorld Africa also designed and supplied solar powered television sets, so-called Sun-TVs, to enable 37 rural communities across southern Africa to enjoy the FIFA World Cup games in 2010 and 2014.

In another 'world first', it installed the first solar-powered tollgate in Zimbabwe and sponsored a solar-powered 'green classroom' at Intaka Island eco-sanctuary in Century City.

Küpper concluded: "With expected policy reforms into netmetering or feed-in tariffs for solar electricity, growing investment into renewable energy and research projects by academic institutions, a new phase is dawning. Africa is set to develop on par with the rest of the world in terms of solar technology and the market is growing. Through its 30-year history in this market, SolarWorld is at the forefront of this bright and sustainable future."