New solar panel plant to provide power to the community

28 February 2023 Editor's Choice News

A new solar panel plant in Cape Town hopes to make a difference in providing both employment and affordable solar panels to low-income households across southern Africa. Ener-G-Africa launched its new facility in the suburb of Ndabeni, Cape Town, as the first small power panel plant certified by TUV Rheinland, an inspection authority with German accreditation.

The small solar panels will be used with its biomass stoves, which are available both locally and overseas.

Most solar panel manufacturers produce large panels aimed at business and residential installations, or targeting commercial utility-scale projects. Manufacturers of small solar panels produced for the African market usually deliver cheap product with poor quality control. Ener-G-Africa plans to change this with its new high-quality small solar panels.

“South Africa is the most technologically capable country on the continent, with really valuable skills,” says Andre Moolman, CEO of Ener-G-Africa. “Cape Town also has access to the port, which is logistically advantageous for importing non-locally manufactured products and also exporting our finished products.”

With the initial outlook for the Ndabeni manufacturing facility being very positive, management has plans to triple capacity within the next 18 months.

Further reading:

Quectel’s RG255C-NA and RM255C-GL accelerate 5G RedCap adoption
iCorp Technologies Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel’s RG255C-NA and RM255C-GL modules represent a strategic move into this fast-growing segment, delivering Sub-6 GHz 5G connectivity optimised for mid-tier IoT applications.

Read more...

---

SDRs – Which RF architecture should you choose?
RFiber Solutions Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
There are several common methods of implementing SDR architectures. This paper discusses which is best when meeting a specific need.

Read more...

---

Surviving the extremes: Understanding shock and vibration in MEMS sensors
Altron Arrow Editor's Choice Test & Measurement
By considering factors such as mechanical headroom, damping, and system-level robustness, designers can ensure that the chosen sensor not only survives, but performs reliably over time.

Read more...

---

A two-stage approach to super-wide input voltage range DC-DC converters
RFiber Solutions Editor's Choice
Teaser: In addition to handling the various input voltage ranges required, the SynQor line of InQor DC-DC converters are fully encased and ruggedised to handle the harsh environments that often accompany systems that have such challenging technical requirements.

Read more...

---

From the editor's desk: Engineering the future
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice
As we welcome the first issue of Dataweek in a new year, it is an exciting time to be part of the electronics community, especially for our readers. The pace of change across our industry continues to accelerate, reshaping how we design, build, and interact with technology.

Read more...

---

Barracuda commissions new IPC Class 3 aerospace facility
Barracuda Holdings Editor's Choice News
The company has commissioned a new dedicated IPC Class 3 facility in Somerset West. and has concluded a new investment partnership that will provide the capital and management capacity required to scale operations.

Read more...

---

Engineering copper grain structure for high-yield hybrid bonding in 3D packaging
Testerion Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
The way copper grains are sized and distributed forms the metallurgical foundation of hybrid bonding, enabling lower bonding temperatures, greater reliability, and stable grain structures throughout integration.

Read more...

---

Understanding solder dross: causes and control strategies
Truth Electronic Manufacturing Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Dross formation is an inevitable consequence of wave soldering. It occurs when molten solder comes into contact with oxygen, forming metal oxides that float on the surface of the solder bath. Over time, this oxidation byproduct accumulates and must be removed to maintain solder quality and process consistency.

Read more...

---

From the editor's desk: Could X-ray lithography disrupt the economics of advanced chip manufacturing?
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice
Advanced semiconductor manufacturing has reached a point where technical progress is increasingly constrained by economic reality, and the proposed use of X-ray lithography represents a bold attempt to reset these economics.

Read more...

---

Could the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act affect your electronics manufacturing business?
Altron Arrow Editor's Choice
South African companies exporting IoT devices to the European Union face a significant regulatory shift with the Cyber Resilience Act becoming mandatory in December 2027.

Read more...

---