Sparks Electrical News May 2016

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

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PV MODULES PRODUCED LOCALLY FOR REIPPP ROUND 3 ART solar has recently completed production of the final consignment of locally produced photovoltaic (PV) modules in 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. 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,” says Derek Lawrance, director, ARTsolar. “After winning this Q1 2015 bid, ART- solar 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 the New Germany plant from 3 500 m² to 10 000 m². The single day shift operation was increased to a 24 hour/six day schedule and we expanded our team to 200 staff. “We are proud to be the first locally owned solar PV module manufacturer to have been awarded manufacture for the REIPPP programme. Al- though ARTsolar’s operation has grown signifi- cantly 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 pre- sent extended inactive manufacturing periods between contracts. This situation requires assis- tance from the Industrial Development Corpora- tion (IDC) and the Department of Trade and In- dustry (DTI). Unlike solar water heaters, the local PV module manufacturing sector is not protected

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by locally designated modules outside of the REIPPP.” Based on this, ARTsolar is currently restruc- turing its operations in preparation for REIPPP Round 4 in Q4 of 2016. The company expects to operate at its pre-ex- pansion capacity, whilst escalating its penetration of the local and sub-Saharan market, in antici- pation of once more participating in the REIPPP later in the year. These PV modules were manufactured at the ARTsolar plant in New Germany, KwaZulu-Natal, for the Mulilo Sonnedix Prieska PV solar plant project. Liam McIntosh is responsible here for framed PV modules, which are rotated into a vertical orientation for earth leakage and sun simulation testing. Range of solar power solutions launched M aster Power Technologies has launched a new range of photovoltaic solar solutions to complement its current range of prod- ucts for use in industrial applications in hot, arid re- gions, or wherever utility power is expensive or un- reliable. The solar power systems are designed to supplement or replace utility power to save money and reduce the user’s carbon footprint, and some designs can feed excess power back into the power grid. “The Master Power Technologies’ battery-free solar power solutions have been designed with characteristics such as low heat degradation and high durability, making the equipment ideal for power installations throughout Africa,” explains Andre Naude, strategist for business develop- ment at Master Power Technologies. “Some of the benefits we have designed into the product include a constant power-output curve to main- tain the electricity supply needed to meet peak demands, the ability to operate without active cooling mechanisms and almost no energy loss at high ambient temperatures.” The company has a range of grid-connected, grid-tie (or on-grid), stand-alone and off-grid solutions to choose from. Grid-connected pho- tovoltaic power systems are energised by pho- tovoltaic panels that are connected to the utility grid. These power systems consist of photovol- taic panels, MPPT (Maximum Power Point Track- ing, a technique used to obtain the maximum possible power from photovoltaic devices), solar inverters, power conditioning units and grid con- nection equipment. Enquiries: +27 11 792 7230 Enquiries: +27 31 705 7162

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