ARTsolar’s official opening
July 2013
News
ARTsolar, South Africa’s photovoltaic module manufacturer, officially opened its manufacturing plant in Pinetown during May. The company, established by local entrepreneurs, aims to provide long term solutions to the electricity shortages facing this county and to foster job creation in local communities.
“There was no locally owned PV module manufacturer in South Africa and we wanted to make a difference,” says ARTsolar’s chairman, Eshu Seevnarayan.
The ARTsolar team at the opening ceremony.
“ARTsolar is the only majority South African owned PV manufacturer and we are set to play a significant role in renewable energy – initially in South Africa and then in the sub-Saharan market and throughout the African continent.
“Important considerations for us in establishing the company were maximising local content of the modules, black economic empowerment, job creation and enhanced aesthetics of our quality products. There is a perception that PV modules are ‘unattractive’, but with the latest designs, quality materials and manufacturing techniques, we give architects, designers and builders the freedom to be creative with this flexible building material, with no compromise on performance.”
ARTsolar uses the latest environmentally-friendly PV technology to convert solar energy to electricity. This technology is gaining popularity globally as it is clean, emission and noise-free, sustainable, safe and cost efficient.
This newly established facility – the largest and most modern PV module fabrication plant in Africa – has the capacity to manufacture 250 000 PV modules annually. This is equivalent to 75 MW of electricity, sufficient to power approximately 15 000 homes per year.
The company has made a significant investment in a training programme at the plant to ensure every step in the quality control of producing PV panels is in accordance with international standards. It has also initiated a PV competence network which encompasses members from various disciplines that include wholesalers, installers, architects, property developers and owners, as well as engineers, construction companies, hospitals and academic institutions. This network will provide the platform for discussions about PV product development, the introduction of new solutions and the growth of this technology in KZN and throughout South Africa.
For more information contact Teri-Leigh Breeds, ARTsolar, +27 (0)31 705 7162, [email protected], www.artsolar.net
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