ARTsolar, the only South African owned photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer, officially opened its manufacturing plant in Pinetown at the end of May.
Guest of honour, Dr Wolsey Barnard, the Department of Energy (DoE) deputy director-general of Energy for Programmes and Projects, was at the event, where he cut the green, environmentally-friendly ribbon to mark the official opening of the new facility which is said to be the largest and most modern of its kind in Africa.
The manufacturer was established by local entrepreneurs as part of their aim to provide long-term solutions to the current and predicted electricity issues facing this county and to job creation for the local community.
“There was no locally owned PV module manufacturer in South Africa and we recognised an opportunity for us to be able to give something back to our country. We wanted to make a difference,” says ARTsolar’s chairman, Eshu Seevnarayan. “ARTsolar is the only majority South African owned PV manufacturer and we are set to play a significant role in renewable energy – initially in South Africa and then in the sub-Saharan market and throughout the African continent.
Seevnarayan explains that important considerations in establishing ARTsolar were maximising local content of the modules, black economic empowerment, job creation and enhanced aesthetics of its products. “There is a perception that PV modules can be ‘unattractive’,” he says, “but with the latest designs, quality materials and manufacturing techniques, ARTsolar gives architects, designers and builders the freedom to be creative with this flexible building material, with no compromise on performance.”
The investment in solar PV modules enables users to generate electricity and benefit from cost savings in the long term. An advantage for the local market is that funding for renewable energy projects is available. South Africa will also benefit from understanding the limitations and successes of solar power projects implemented around the world.
ARTsolar uses the latest environmentally-friendly PV technology to convert solar energy to electricity. This technology is gaining popularity globally as a form of renewable energy that is clean, emission and noise-free, sustainable, safe and cost efficient.
This newly established facility has the capacity to manufacture 250 000 PV modules annually. This is the equivalent to 75 MW of electricity, which is sufficient to power at least 15 000 homes a year. These modules are easy to install and require no maintenance, apart from occasional cleaning.
Other important features are the 25-year guarantee offered by ARTsolar and an estimated 40-year lifetime of the module. The company also offers a technical advisory and support service throughout the country.
The manufacturer has made a significant investment in the latest equipment from Swiss equipment manufacturer Meyer Burger Swiss Solar Systems and benefits from shared technology with global PV specialists. Its PV modules, which adhere to stringent International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specifications, are certified by the independent test institute TüV Rheinland in Germany.
Dr Ronald Lange, ARTsolar’s chief operating officer, is a recognised global PV expert who is with the company for a year to establish impeccable manufacturing standards and the transfer of knowledge and skills. He will ensure the company continues to make a valuable contribution to renewable energy in Africa, as he has in other parts of the world.
ARTsolar has also invested in a training programme at the plant, which is run by Swiss and Dutch PV experts. This intensive training ensures every step in the quality control of producing PV panels is in accordance with international standards.
The company has also initiated a PV competence network which encompasses members from various disciplines that include wholesalers, installers, architects, property developers and owners, as well as engineers, construction companies, hospitals and academic institutions.
For more information contact ARTsolar, +27 (0)31 705 7162, teri@artsolar.net, www.artsolar.net
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