The future of SA’s solar industry

Enough solar energy falls on the earth’s surface every 70 minutes as humankind can use each year, and delivers reliable power without any fuel or significant storage costs. With an average of more than 2,500 hours of sunshine every year, South Africa’s solar radiation output is twice that of Europe, making it one of the highest in the world, and the perfect climate for readily accessible solar generation. The recently approved Integrated Resource Plan for the South African energy system sees renewables such as solar PV and CSP making a critical contribution to the overall generation mix for the country.

These are early stages and Africa is still awakening to the idea of Renewable Energy and the role they play in the energy sector of the future. Current initial capital costs make it vital for all those involved in the solar industry to gain a better understanding of the factors at play, including entry into the generational market, and the role of both government and utilities in creating the industry support for renewables.

Despite the current challenges there are a number of flourishing projects in the African solar energy sector. Operating in such an exciting and dynamic market, you need access to the most reliable sources of information and most up-to-date regulatory criteria.

Addressing challenges and seeking solar growth

Solar Energy Africa is a niche convention forum that will address these challenges and look at opportunities and growth potential for sustainable solar energy provision in Africa.

The event will showcase updates on solar energy technologies from the industry leaders and offer insight into the latest developments in the institutional market. Solar Energy Africa will provide information on the financial mechanisms necessary for solar energy to offer an extensive solution to current security of supply issues, and the infrastructure developments needed to support an effective supply chain between independent providers and the grid.

This meeting will promote the sustainable, effective and financially viable use of both solar CSP and PV and promote this alternative, reliable and inexhaustible energy.

Why attend?

• Get incisive expert insights into future developments in the region
• Keep updated on key industry trends and technological evolution
• Engage prospects in a highly qualified audience of industry leaders
• Discover and evaluate products and services to facilitate sound business decisions
• Extensive, invaluable networking with industry leaders in the region – build your professional connections

This year’s highlights:

Ministerial opening plenary discussion: “Unlocking Africa’s generation capacity”

Featured speakers:

• Minister Dipuo Peters, Minister of the Department of Energy, South Africa
• Honourable Minister Malusi Gigaba, Ministry of Public Enterprises, South Africa
• Elham Ibrahim, Commissioner for infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission, Ethopia
• Nelisiwe Magubane, Director General, Department of Energy, South Africa
• Netra Thakur, Senior Analyst, Customized Energy Solution, India
• H.E. Mr Joao Baptista Borges, State Secretary of Energy – Ministry of Energy and Water, Angola
• Ronald Chauke, Head of Department Electric Regulatory Reform, National Energy Regulator, South Africa
• Rahul Walawalker, Vice President: Emerging Technologies & Markets, Customized Energy Solutions, India

Event dates:

• Conference: 19-20 September 2011
• Post-conference workshops: 21 September

Venue:

• Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg