Powerchina switches on 100 MW solar tower in South Africa
Powerchina has switched on a 100 MW solar tower in South Africa. The concentrated solar power (CSP) project will supply 480 GWh of clean energy to the country’s power grid each year. The system’s molten salt storage enables 12 hours of full-load operation.
The Hydrogen Stream: Ballard restructures, Forvia supplies hydrogen tanks
Ballard Power Systems says it has started restructuring its global operations to cut costs due to slower hydrogen infrastructure development and delayed fuel cell adoption.
European Investment Bank invests in solar, wind in South Africa
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) are each investing €100 million ($110.8 million) in small- and medium-scale solar and onshore wind projects in South Africa. Together, they have now committed €600 million under South Africa’s Embedded Generation Investment Programme (EGIP).
Citroën lightweight compact EV equipped with solar kits
La Croisière Verte is the name of a 13,500 km expedition from the north to south of Africa in a fleet of four Citroën AMI vehicles, each carrying 5,600 W of lightweight PV panels in foldable packs.
Eskom runs tender for 19.5 MW of solar in South Africa
A tender is underway in South Africa for the design, engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of a 19.5 MW solar plant at the site of an existing 105.8 MW wind farm in the western part of the country. The deadline for applications is Sept. 12.
The effects of wind on single-axis PV trackers
Scientists in South Africa have conducted full-scale research on the effect of wind load on PV panel mounting rails for more than 100 days. Compared to standard design codes, they found lower combined wind load coefficients. Maximum loads occurred for an easterly wind direction.
Eskom launches tender for up to 30 MW of solar
South African utility Eskom is searching for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor to build a solar plant up to 30 MW in size at the site of an existing power station in the eastern part of the country. The deadline for applications is Oct. 29.
South Africa’s 7th renewables procurement round highly oversubscribed
South Africa’s latest auction is the first to be held under a December 2022 government plan to procure 14,771 MW of new generating capacity.
Scatec sells stakes in South African, Rwandan solar plants
Norwegian developer Scatec is selling a proportion of its interest in three solar power plants in South Africa and has completed the sale of its entire stake in a Rwandan facility. It says the agreements will finance further growth opportunities.
Engie, Pele Green building 75 MW of solar in South Africa
Engie says it has begun construction on a 75 MW solar plant in South Africa’s Free State province. The project is one of two installations it is building in partnership with Pele Green Energy.
