As part of the ongoing efforts to foster innovation and industry partnerships, the Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) team at the North-West University (NWU) recently led a group of academic staff specialising in solar energy-related projects on an exciting tour of Enel Green Power's Adams solar plant in Kathu, Northern Cape.
Consisting of a sea of 611 100 panels, this solar power plant – commissioned in 2017 – is a shining example of renewable energy production in South Africa. The Adams solar plant has an impressive production capacity of 82,5 MW, making it one of South Africa's largest solar power utilities. It uses thin-film PV technology to generate a massive 170 000 GWh of electricity each year – enough to electrify 53 000 homes! Enel sells its electricity to Eskom through a power purchase agreement of 20 years.
The NWU team was received and guided through the plant by Mr Maxwell Sibanyoni, operations and maintenance plant supervisor at the Adam plant, supported by his operations and maintenance team. During the visit, the team had the opportunity to explore the inner workings of the plant, examining elements such as the solar panel arrays, smart string boxes, pre-parallel boxes, inverters, transformers and the substation. This exhibition of the production process provided a valuable learning opportunity for all participants, deepening their understanding of solar power technology and its application on an industrial scale. It also provided an insight into the operational and maintenance challenges presented by running such facilities in remote and arid locations such as Kathu.
Dr Mesuli Mbanjwa, the Commercialisation manager at TTIS, expressed appreciation to Enel Green Power for the opportunity and the cordial reception. "Visiting the Adams solar plant provided us with an invaluable learning experience," said Dr Mbanjwa. "We are grateful for the chance to experience this cutting-edge technology that is driving energy sustainability. We are excited by the prospects of collaborating with Enel Green Power on sustainability and just transition projects in the future."
The plant supervisor at Enel Green Power's Adams solar plant remarked: Having the opportunity to showcase our operations and technology to the team from the NWU was truly rewarding. Their enthusiasm and curiosity underscored the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in driving innovation in the renewable energy sector. We look forward to continued engagement with the NWU.
This trip was not just about seeing how solar energy works now. It was also about setting the stage for more exciting projects in the future. When universities and businesses team up like this, amazing things can happen in renewable energy.
Mr Thapelo Thamaga, principal technician, Ms Tlotlo Lefenya, lab technician, Ms Abigail Phori, lecturer (Physics) and Dr Mesuli Mbanjwa, Commercialisation manager.
The NWU team with the Enel Green Power operations and maintenance team at the Adams solar plant.
Dr Mesuli Mbanjwa, Commercialisation manager, Ms Abigail Phori, lecturer (Physics), Mr Thapelo Thamaga, principal technician, Ms Tlotlo Lefenya, lab technician, and Mr Vukosi Mathale, specialist in Technology Marketing.
