Editor's Choice


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, sales@artsolar.net, www.artsolar.net





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Eight ways temporary solder mask is used for electronic assembly
Testerion Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
While it is most used to mask open vias in a wave soldering process, operators find all kinds of creative ways to use solder mask to solve process challenges.

Read more...
How ADI battery management solutions empower safer, smarter robots
Altron Arrow Editor's Choice Power Electronics / Power Management
Choosing an appropriate battery pack and its accompanying battery management system is a critical decision in designing an autonomous mobile robot.

Read more...
New element reduces power consumption of AI
Editor's Choice
By mimicking the energy-efficient operation of the human brain, TDK’s neuromorphic element could cut the power consumption of AI applications down to 1/100th of traditional devices.

Read more...
From humble beginnings to industry excellence
Seven Labs Technology Editor's Choice
Seven Labs strives to offer a more integrated service offering, which can provide customers with an easier route to acquiring the components and services they need. This offering includes various software- and service-related products.

Read more...
The key to seamless functioning of supply chains
RS South Africa Editor's Choice
Maintenance, repair, and operations is key to the seamless functioning of supply chains across a range of industries, from equipment and machinery to the processes essential for a company’s daily operations.

Read more...
Versofy SOLAR brightens South African entrepreneurship
Editor's Choice
As the CEO of Versofy SOLAR, Ross Mains-Sheard has navigated the company through a myriad changes, opportunities, pivots, and a pandemic – into a business that is reshaping how South African consumers access solar energy solutions.

Read more...
Seven habits of highly efficient PCB designers
ASIC Design Services Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Design habits that expedite design completion, improve design quality, and enhance productivity are instrumental to highly efficient PCB design. This article lists what designers can do to succeed.

Read more...
How will Matter help us meet the smart home promise?
Avnet Silica Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
From door locks to fridges, robot vacuum cleaners to security cameras, using Matter should mean consumers only need one app and controller to manage and monitor all the smart devices in their homes, instead of one per ecosystem.

Read more...
Industry 5.0
Editor's Choice
Industry 5.0 was first defined by the European Union in January 2022 as a new way of integrating automation and humans into the workplace.

Read more...
Designing a smart wireless industrial sensor
Altron Arrow Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
This article provides an overview of wireless standards and assesses the suitability of Bluetooth LE, SmartMesh (6LoWPAN over IEEE 802.15.4e), and Thread/Zigbee (6LoWPAN over IEEE 802.15.4) for use in industrial harsh RF environments.

Read more...