Farmers are making increasing use of photovoltaic solar panels and variable speed drives (VSDs) to get clean and continuous power to their boreholes in remote locations, cutting out the need for costly infrastructure and cables to link with the main grid.
Zest WEG Group supplies these standalone electrical solutions so that users in the agricultural sector can immediately benefit from solar power for pumping water.
As a key element of this arrangement, the VSD protects the motor from the fluctuating energy flow of the solar panel, allowing the motor speed to vary as the strength of the sun’s rays changes with weather and times of day. This ensures maximum system operation during the day while protecting the motor and VSD. In addition to this, the VSD also offers a variety of other motor protection features such as over voltage, under voltage, phase imbalance, phase loss and over current, which would normally have had to be done by other external equipment.
The appropriate model of VSD is selected from the range of WEG units to suit the size of motor and pumping capacity required. Typically, the photovoltaic option is chosen for motor sizes up to approximately 5,5 kW, but larger motors can also be catered for by installing more solar power capacity.
The added value in WEG’s VSD includes the company’s in-house software that allows its technicians to optimise the performance of the motor and pump, according to the application. The solar powered option also eliminates the potential voltage drop over extended lengths of electrical copper cable between the source and the motor, as well as the possible theft of this cable and the resulting disruption and added cost.
Supporting customers is key to Zest WEG Group’s operating philosophy, and the Group operates a network of strategically situated branches and distributors across South Africa and the continent. Experienced technical staff is available countrywide to advise customers, as well as to set up and commission this innovative, renewable-based energy solution.
Measuring and analysing PV circuit performance Comtest
Electrical Power & Protection
Regardless of the test method, you must know the plane of array irradiance and cell temperature to evaluate PV circuit performance. Proper sensor types and test methods like the Fluke Solmetric PVA 15i-V curve tracer should be used for reliable results.
Read more...Enabling Africa’s solar potential – lighting the way with technology
Electrical Power & Protection
As the global population continues to grow, energy demand also rises. ABB can help bridge the gap throughout the renewable power value chain, including consulting, generation, storage, transmission, monitoring, control and optimisation.
Read more...AES and the great decarbonisation debate
Electrical Power & Protection
Although many manufacturing and industrial companies have objectives to reduce the use of fossil fuels, there are not yet any silver bullets in the green fuel space. Supply and logistics constraints, high costs and technological limitations are just some of the challenges encountered by AES, as they assist an increasing number of clients to investigate the use of more environmentally sustainable, lower carbon fuel alternatives, thereby obviating the requirement to pay
Read more...Data acquisition modules Vepac Electronics
Electrical Power & Protection
The D1200 current input modules from Vepac include one discrete digital input and two open-collector digital outputs for monitoring On/Off signals or controlling solid-state relays and annunciators. The digital outputs can also be programmed to operate as HI/LO alarm outputs based on the input current level.
Read more...Electrical power solutions from TRAFO
Electrical Power & Protection
Having rapidly carved a niche in dry-type transformer applications in Africa, Trafo Power Solutions has steadily grown its offerings, and now sees a future as a leading provider of electrical power solutions. ...
Read more...Boiler update at food processing plant transforms production process
Electrical Power & Protection
The replacement of 78 year-old boilers at a Western Cape food processing plant by Associated Energy Services has not only proven to be a worthwhile investment for the client, but has transformed its entire production process.
Read more...Three financing trends driving clean energy in the Global South Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
The Global South is at a critical juncture in its energy transition, grappling with challenges that demand immediate action. To finance its energy targets, the World Economic Forum’s Network to Mobilise Clean Energy Investment in emerging markets and developing economies has developed a playbook of over 100 financing mechanisms and de-risking tools that have successfully helped narrow the clean energy financing gap in emerging and developing economies.
Read more...New generation low power frequency inverters Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
Electrical Power & Protection
New to BMG’s electromechanical range are energy-efficient Synergy PI150 series frequency inverters, which have been designed for efficient use in many applications.