Locally made PV modules power REIPPP
23 March 2016
Editor's Choice
News
ARTsolar recently completed production of the final consignment of locally produced photovoltaic (PV) modules in the government’s Round 3 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP).
“These PV modules were manufactured at the ARTsolar plant in KwaZulu-Natal, for the Mulilo Sonnedix Prieska PV solar plant project,” explains Derek Lawrance, director at ARTsolar. “This plant, which supplies the electricity it produces to the Eskom Kromos substation in the Northern Cape, is the first 75 MW AC size REIPPP project to have PV modules produced by a South African owned company.”
After winning this Q1 2015 bid, ARTsolar implemented an expansion programme to meet production requirements of this project. The company made a substantial investment in new machinery and increased the total floor space of its New Germany plant from 3500 m² to 10 000 m². The single day shift operation was increased to a 24 hour/six day schedule and the team of staff was expanded to 200.
“We are proud to be the first locally owned solar PV module manufacturer to have been awarded manufacture for the REIPPP programme. Although ARTsolar’s operation has grown significantly through this project, challenges remain for local PV manufacturers outside of the REIPPP programme.
“Local industry is struggling to adapt to the ‘stop-start’ nature of REIPPP projects, which present extended inactive manufacturing periods between contracts. This situation requires assistance from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Unlike solar water heaters, the local PV module manufacturing sector is not protected by locally designated modules outside of the REIPPP.”
Based on this, ARTsolar is currently restructuring its operations in preparation for REIPPP Round 4 in Q4 of 2016. The company expects to operate at its pre-expansion capacity, whilst escalating its penetration of the local and sub-Saharan market, in anticipation of once more participating in the REIPPP later in the year.
For more information contact ARTsolar, +27 (0)31 705 7162, [email protected], www.artsolar.net
Further reading:
The ‘magic’ of photovoltaic cells
Editor's Choice
Everyone knows that solar generation converts sunlight to electricity, but what comprises a solar panel, and how do they actually work?
Read more...
Analysis of switch-mode power supply: inductor violations
Altron Arrow
Editor's Choice Power Electronics / Power Management
Common switch-mode power supply (SMPS) design errors are discussed, and their appropriate rectification is specified, with details on complications that arise with the power stage design of DC-DC switching regulators.
Read more...
Bridging the gap between MCUs and MPUs
Future Electronics
Editor's Choice AI & ML
The Renesas RA8 series microcontrollers feature Arm Helium technology, which boosts the performance of DSP functions and of AI and machine learning algorithms.
Read more...
Accelerating the commercialisation of the 5G IoT markets
Altron Arrow
Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Fibocom unveils Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) module MA510-GL, enabling satellite and cellular connectivity to IoT applications.
Read more...
Hardware architectural options for artificial intelligence systems
NuVision Electronics
Editor's Choice AI & ML
With smart sensors creating data at an ever-increasing rate, it is becoming exponentially more difficult to consume and make sense of the data to extract relevant insight. This is providing the impetus behind the rapidly developing field of artificial intelligence.
Read more...
Demystifying quantum
Editor's Choice
Quantum, often called quantum mechanics, deals with the granular and fuzzy nature of the universe, and the physical behaviour of its smallest particles.
Read more...
Service excellence with attention to detail
Deman Manufacturing
Editor's Choice
The vision of industry pioneers Hugo de Bruyn and Charles Hauman led to the birth of Deman Manufacturing, a company that sets new standards for innovation and performance within the industry.
Read more...
What is an RF connector?
Spectrum Concepts
Editor's Choice Interconnection
If you look across the broader electromagnetic spectrum, the selection of the 3 kHz to 300 GHz frequency range for RF signals is a result of a balance between propagation characteristics, data transmission requirements, regulatory allocations, and the compatibility of electronic components and devices.
Read more...
Make your small asset tracker last longer
Altron Arrow
Editor's Choice Power Electronics / Power Management
This design solution reviews a typical asset tracking solution, and shows how the MAX3864x nanopower buck converter family, with its high efficiency and small size, enables longer battery life in small portables.
Read more...
The power of Matter
Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Matter offers a reliable, secure, seamless way to interconnect devices from different manufacturers, allowing a new level of interoperability to be enjoyed.
Read more...
printer friendly version