Paving the way for solar power projects in South Africa, Concentrix Solar, a supplier of Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) systems and a division of the Soitec Group (Euronext Paris), announced today that it is going to inaugurate its first power facility in South Africa at the Aquila Private Game Reserve in Touwsrivier on September 1, 2010. This is the initial step in developing large-scale solar power projects in South Africa.
“CPV systems are perfectly suited for the use in South Africa with its energy shortage, water scarcity and high temperatures. Our systems can be easily and fast implemented, they do not need cooling water and do not suffer from heat degradation at hot ambient temperatures,” said Hansjörg Lerchenmüller, CEO of Concentrix Solar. “In addition, this facility will initiate the transfer of know-how and serves to develop local skills in South Africa with immediate effect.”
Concentrix Solar is going to inaugurate a 60 kilowatts (kW) facility at the Aquila Private Game Reserve in Touwsrivier, Western Cape. With this installation, the Aquila Private Game Reserve is able to cover all energy requirements during daylight hours and makes a positive contribution to environmentally friendly tourism.
Also, Concentrix Solar is actively pursuing a project development of a 50 megawatts (MW) utility-scale power plant in the Western Cape. The company has been present in South Africa since 2008 and has the ability to develop large-scale solar projects and deliver turnkey solutions under local conditions utilizing local content.
With a high amount of direct solar irradiation, South Africa is best suited for the use of Concentrix Solar’s CPV technology. Due to its high efficiencies and the two-axis tracking, Concentrix Solar’s systems provide a constant high power output throughout the day and enable to cover the growing power demand in South Africa.