Sparks Electrical News May 2016

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SPARKS
ELECTRICAL NEWS MAY 2016
10 ENERGY EFFICIENCY
4422 Advert_2.indd 1 2014/12/17 1:19 PM
PV MODULES PRODUCED LOCALLY FOR REIPPP ROUND 3
ARTsolar 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
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.
Enquiries: +27 31 705 7162
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