SA solar technology gets R540m boost
Thématique :
sud afrique
A groundbreaking South African development in solar technology has received the support of the European Investment Bank in the form of a €40 million (R543 million) loan for the construction of a production facility in Paarl, Western Cape.
SA Good News The high technology facility will be the home of Thin Film Solar Technology SA where new-generation photovoltaic (PV) modules for emission-free solar electricity will be produced.
The technology used to make the PV modules was developed by a research team from the University of Johannesburg. Unlike standard solar panels that contain a 350 micron thick silicon layer, the thin-film panels make use of copper, indium, gallium, sulphur and selenium (CIGSSe).
The result is a revolutionary thin panel, approximately five microns thick (a human hair is 20 microns thick), that can be sold at a dramatically lower cost.
The new plant will provide PV systems to schools and clinics in rural communities, where PV is already often more cost-effective than power grid development as well as micro-sized installations for individual homes, at competitive prices
When fully operational, the plant will have a peak capacity of 30 Megawatts per annum. Most of the end product will be exported.
In a statement released on Wednesday, EIB said that they expect the facility to have a positive impact on the South African economy. “[The facility] will establish the country as a reference point for this innovative and locally developed technology while contributing to the development of the national PV market.”
Commercialisation of the technology is to proceed by way of a public-private partnership between government agencies such as the Central Energy Fund and the National Empowerment Fund as well as private investors, namely Sasol and the University of Johannesburg.
The facility will employ up to 150 staff who will receive training and specialist skills development.
SA Good News The high technology facility will be the home of Thin Film Solar Technology SA where new-generation photovoltaic (PV) modules for emission-free solar electricity will be produced.
The technology used to make the PV modules was developed by a research team from the University of Johannesburg. Unlike standard solar panels that contain a 350 micron thick silicon layer, the thin-film panels make use of copper, indium, gallium, sulphur and selenium (CIGSSe).
The result is a revolutionary thin panel, approximately five microns thick (a human hair is 20 microns thick), that can be sold at a dramatically lower cost.
The new plant will provide PV systems to schools and clinics in rural communities, where PV is already often more cost-effective than power grid development as well as micro-sized installations for individual homes, at competitive prices
When fully operational, the plant will have a peak capacity of 30 Megawatts per annum. Most of the end product will be exported.
In a statement released on Wednesday, EIB said that they expect the facility to have a positive impact on the South African economy. “[The facility] will establish the country as a reference point for this innovative and locally developed technology while contributing to the development of the national PV market.”
Commercialisation of the technology is to proceed by way of a public-private partnership between government agencies such as the Central Energy Fund and the National Empowerment Fund as well as private investors, namely Sasol and the University of Johannesburg.
The facility will employ up to 150 staff who will receive training and specialist skills development.
