
The great opportunity to reform South Africa's power sector
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Whilst renewables still make up a small share of South Africa’s total generation capacity, the growing cost gap between the grid and solar, along with falling battery prices, means that South African electricity consumers are faced with something new in the context of our traditionally monopolistic electricity market: choice.

Is it possible for your business to go off-grid?
Grid reliability has been severely reduced over the past few years and Eskom tariffs are substantially higher than the costs of solar on an average lifetime basis. As such, many companies are looking at the possibility of severing ties with the grid and managing their energy needs independently.

How new methods of procuring solar electricity enable more access to affordable power
Intuitively, solar-generated electricity is cheap: the sun, after all, is a free resource, and compared to fossil-based energy such as coal and gas that require constant inputs, once installed, solar PV systems harness the sun’s energy for “free”, providing years of clean energy. PPAs are now allowing businesses to access this "free" power.

How electricity generation has changed over the past 10 years - and what it bodes for our future
Alongside the global pandemic, electricity has been on many South African’s minds this year. And rightly so: South Africans can expect a 15% increase in their electricity costs from mid-2021, marking more than a decade of average annual increases of 14%, relative to average inflation of just under 6%.

Load Shedding Solutions for Your Business
With the prospect of load shedding being around for at least another three years, considering viable alternative sources of power is important for business.

Women in STEM: SOLA engineers share their experience
SOLA is committed to diversity - and believes in the power of diverse thought to enhance the work that we do. Today, we take a look at two women engineers at SOLA who are on their own mission to change the world.

Why remote mines in Africa should be considering energy storage
Africa is blessed with great solar resource, as well as mineral and metal resources - making mining an important industry on the continent. But remotely-located mining operations often mean that energy generation is an important concern.

Three ways to future proof your business in light of COVID-19
We are now into our third month of lockdown, and are starting to see the widespread economic impact of the COVID 19 pandemic. In light of this, how will businesses prepare for the already uncertain future?

How Solar Power Systems Can Help Your Business?
Solar power systems are not only relevant to governments and large utilities looking to procure solar power, but to commercial and industrial businesses too. Currently, solar PV systems are the cheapest form of available power, and prices are continuing to drop.

Removal of Power Constraints Crucial for Post COVID-19 Recovery
It is difficult to understand why the main limitations to private power generation have not been removed, despite repeated pledges from government to that effect. There is a real danger that while grappling with the immediate crisis, policymakers will shelve the issue indefinitely.

Solar PV Microgrids for Mining: cost-cutting meets sustainability
The mining sector is one of the most important economic contributors to the African economy. However, mining is also facing several challenges – particularly with regards to sustainability and cost-saving. Mining operations are increasingly turning to solar PV microgrids as a reliable and sustainable alternative energy option.

AB InBev bolster breweries with 8.7 MW renewable energy from SOLA
The Power Purchase Agreements will total around 8.7 MW DC capacity. Of this, 2.6 MW have already reached practical completion with the remaining projects in advanced stages of construction. Renewable energy solutions are a quick and efficient way for South Africa to reduce energy demand on Eskom’s constrained grid.

SOLA starts 2020 by reaching 100 GWh target
SOLA has officially met its goal to generate over 100 000 000 kWh of clean energy by 2020 - with a day to spare. 100 000 000 kWh of clean energy in South Africa, where the carbon factor is quite high because of a coal-based electricity system, equates to saving around 92 590 tons of carbon emissions equivalents (CO2eq).

Can urban high-energy consumers benefit from solar PV?
It’s no surprise that high energy consumers are those that might benefit the most from renewable energy. But simply adding a few solar panels is not necessarily the answer either.

Solar and wind energy could set South Africa on track for the world’s cheapest electricity
It’s a no-brainer — a move to renewable energy will not only boost the economy and create jobs, it is also the path to providing South Africa with potentially the cheapest electricity in the world given our natural wind and solar resources.

Industrial solar installations - dos and don'ts for facilities managers
The below guide highlights 5 dos and don’ts for facilities managers to ensure that the procurement of solar is an effortless one.

How solar for mines helps to reduce operational costs and achieve a lower carbon footprint
Mining facilities that typically rely on diesel electricity can use a solar microgrid to reduce the overall cost of energy, increase energy resiliency, thus ensuring control of their energy and power requirements.

Is solar energy suitable for my business?
you might be wondering if solar PV is relevant for your business. It is worth considering that various factors affect the overall costs and tariffs of solar PV systems.

SOLA secures R400M to finance solar PV projects for Commercial and Industrial properties through Power Purchase Agreements
The SOLA Group has secured R400m in order to build commercial and industrial solar PV facilities across Southern Africa.

Achieving electricity cost reductions through energy storage
Energy storage represents the major opportunity for the electricity sector, but how affordable is it for business to adopt?

Solar for the FMCG Sector: Clean Energy Solutions that Work
FMCG is one of the largest drivers of the industrial sector in Africa, presenting a wealth of opportunity for manufacturers and distributors

#WeAreSOLA: SOLA Future Energy and Aurora Power Solutions join forces to provide Africa-wide renewable energy offering
Today marks the beginning of our newly consolidated group: a…

SOLA awarded 40 MW solar projects in Zambia
The SOLA Group, in a consortium with Globeleq, has been awarded…

3 Options to proof your commercial and industrial building from load shedding
Whether it is a backup generator, installing a solar PV system with a backup generator or battery, or going entirely off-grid, there are options for commercial and industrial buildings in South Africa

Electricity in SA seems bleak, but it’s loaded with opportunity.
Originally published on LinkedIn
What the Eskom’s current state…

Is solar the green solution agribusiness needs?
Agribusiness contributes significantly to a country’s overall…

A reflection on South Africa’s energy landscape in 2018
South Africa’s renewable energy sector received a new lease…

Salt River Secondary receives a solar system, thanks to Project 90 and SOLA
On 7 December, SOLA Future Energy was privileged to build a solar…

O&M service contracts 101: how to choose an O&M service provider
We’ve spoken previously about the value of obtaining O&M…


When cost reduction is king: 3 sectors perfect for solar finance
If you’re in business in South Africa, you’re likely feeling…

SOLA's Robben Island Project wins SANEA Project of the Year Award
SOLA Future Energy has won SANEA's Energy Project of the Year…

Finance options for rooftop solar PV in Southern Africa
If your business is considering a solar PV system, chances are…

How to save through solar: 3 tips for commercial and industrial property managers
It’s long been known that managing commercial and industrial…

Installing solar on your commercial or industrial property? 6 questions you need to ask
Installing solar PV systems on commercial or industrial property…

Going wire-free in Africa: Two examples
Our last blog post focused on how microgrids in Africa can enable…

Microgrids in Africa: rethinking the centralised electricity grid
Think about it: just two decades ago, many African towns were…

How the mining sector in Africa can benefit from solar energy
The mining sector is one of Africa’s largest, with much of…

5 African countries that are perfect for solar PV
Although Africa has historically been labelled “the dark continent”,…

Reflections on the last 5 years of solar PV
Over the last five years, solar PV has moved from a peripheral…

5 ways solar PV can optimise your industrial electricity usage
Inexpensive electricity is the foundation of a globally competitive…

New design engineer off to a great start with industrial solar system design
Mandilakhe Qavane has been with SOLA Future Energy for about…

Robben Island's 666.4 kW solar PV and battery storage microgrid
Last week, the Minister of Tourism opened the Robben Island solar…

Video clip shows the transformation of Robben Island into a beacon of hope
When SOLA found out that they had won the contract to build a…

The Robben Island solar microgrid shows the power of solar PV and batteries
It has been almost a year and a half since the Robben Island…

SOLA Future Energy obtains ISO 9001:2015 Quality Certification
SOLA Future Energy has obtained its ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management…

How long is a solar lease or PPA?
With no upfront costs, solar leases are an attractive option…

SOLA Future Energy and Atterbury partnership to see 20 MW solar capacity built over next few years
SOLA Future Energy and Atterbury Property Developments have partnered…

SOLA Opens its doors in Johannesburg
Since its foundation in Cape Town in 2013, SOLA Future Energy…

Takeaways from Intersolar 2017: the latest and greatest in solar technology
SOLA CEO, Dom Wills, and CTO, Ian Burger, attended the world’s largest…

Reflections from Intersolar, day 1
SOLA CEO, Dom Wills and CTO, Ian Burger, are currently in Munich…

SOLA Future Energy helps to green Century City Conference Centre
This week, SOLA Future Energy was pleased to assist the Century…

SOLA Future Energy installs 550 kW solar system in Gardens
SOLA Future Energy recently completed a rooftop solar PV installation…

780 kW solar system at Soneike Mall, Kuils River
SOLA future energy recently completed a 780 kW solar rooftop…

Parkwood Primary School goes solar!
As part of a community development program, SOLA Future Energy…

SA leading the way on renewable energy
One has to wonder what motivation the South African Nuclear Energy…

Wind, solar can supply bulk of South Africa’s power at least cost, CSIR model shows
There has been much discussion in recent months about the work…

Renewable energy makes financial and environmental sense, and is a threat to Eskom
Recent comments by Brian Molefe, Eskom’s chief executive,…

Will Eskom avoid the utility death spiral?
”Eskom is looking to cut its use of private power and has…

Musk’s sun-fed battery closer to reality
IT IS a nice dream. You catch the sun’s rays in photovoltaic…

Robben Island PV and Battery Storage Project Awarded to Sola Future Energy
Sola Future has been awarded a landmark project by the Department…

Portugal Runs For Four Days Straight On Renewable Energy Alone
Portugal kept its lights on with renewable energy alone for…


Nersa Approves 9.4% Electricity Price Hike
Cape Town - The National Energy Regulator (Nersa) approved…

Freddy Hirsch 392kWp Industrial Facility Completed
The Freddy Hirsch Factory in Montague Gardens is a landmark project…

Solar Power Grid-Tied Systems Yield Energy Cost Efficiency
“Using solar power as a grid-tied system rather than a load-shedding…

Sun Will Never Set On Solar Energy
“IN THE last round of bidding for renewable energy projects,…

Constantia Village Shopping Centre Completed December 2015
Sola Future was contracted by Growth Point Properties to…

Nersa says rules for embedded generators to be included in DoE Licensing Regulations
“The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has…

SOLA wins 1.02MW rooftop project in Gauteng
SOLA Future has been awarded a 1.02MW rooftop solar project…

First ‘fully local’ solar PV projects selected under REIPPPP
“The 5.8 MW Adams and 5.8 MW Bellatrix solar projects, in…

Renewables Continue To Make More Sense Than Fossil Fuels
“Wind and solar have long made up a small fraction of…

SOLA Future wins 10MW of solar IPP projects
SOLA Future Energy, together with it’s affiliate development…

Joburg Has Received Applications For 32 MW Of Rooftop Solar
Johannesburg’s City Power estimates that there are already…


SOLA Future signs 800kWp Constantia Village project with Growthpoint Properties
SOLA Future has been contracted by Growthpoint Properties…


Construction is complete on Ingenuity Property’s 492kW Foreshore Building PV System
SOLA Future Energy has completed the construction of a 492kW…

Beautiful stained glass window generates solar power
“ Solar panels may be an excellent, eco-friendly energy solution,…

Robben Island To Switch To Solar Power
“Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom says Robben Island, one…

Cape Town Tackles “Load Shedding” With Rooftop Solar
“In late 2014, South African city of Cape Town signed up…

Green Star Function 7 May 2015
“The celebration of our announcement: Black River Park is THE…

Joemat-Pettersson announces new energy initiatives
“ ENERGY Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson announced a raft of…

Energy Minister Announces Successful Fourth Round Renewable-Energy Projects
“The Department of Energy (DoE) has announced the names of…

SA To Mop Up Near-Term Renewables Prospects, Ahead Of Revamped Process For 6 300 MW More
“Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson has announced plans…

Energy initiatives stuck in ministerial bottleneck
“Renewable energy is by far the quickest way to bring new…

Eskom wants 25.3% tariff increase
“Eskom’s electricity tariffs may increase by 25.3% from…

Cape Quarter PV solar project up and running
“This flagship property within the Tower Property Funds…

Solar Infrastructure At Black River Office Park
“Sola Future is the company that has provided the solar infrastructure…

Nersa Moves To Finalise Rules For Connecting Small-Scale Solar To The Grid
“The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa)…

Energy Efficiency Savings Tax Incentives Chip away At Energy Problem
“The additional revenue will be used to fund the broadening…

More Than 70 Bids Received For Fourth Renewables Bid Window
Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson confirmed on Tuesday…

Stage 2 Load Shedding In Progress
“Stage 2 load shedding started at 08:00 and will continue until…

High Risk Of Load Shedding, says Eskom
“Power utility Eskom has issued a warning that there is…

Wind And Solar Energy Saved South Africa R5.3 Billion Last Year
Renewable energy is still very much on the back-burner for…


“Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown is urging households and businesses to make provision for “at least two-hour power outages between 7:00 and 22:00 daily”, while warning that the energy situation will remain “extremely tight” for the foreseeable future” Read more
“Government should allow other power producers to compete…

04 FEB Brown Urges Citizens, Businesses To Prepare For Daily Power Cuts
“ Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown is urging households…

Eskom: Customers helped end load shedding
“There may be a lesson from Tuesday’s aborted stage 1 load…

Eskom Price Hikes To Follow Baleni Resignation - DA
“The resignation of the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa)…


Eskom implementing stage 1 load shedding
“ The power system is severely constrained today due to unforeseen…


South Africa sees financial benefits from renewable energy in 2014 – CSIR
“The renewable energy from South Africa’s first wind…

Solar Power To Reach Its Zenith
“Eskom may be unable to avert an energy crisis, but South…

Solar power helps office park stay on during load shedding
“With companies such as Sola Future guaranteeing their solar…

SOLA Completes 212kW Cape Quarter Project
SOLA has completed the 212kW solar project and it is operating…

Cape Town Changes Its Load Shedding Schedule
“ As of February 1 2015, the City of Cape Town will be implementing…


SA Businesses Urged To Invest In Customised Solar Solutions
“The rising cost of energy paired with the unreliability…

Eskom wants your excess solar power
“There is growing interest from South African electricity…

Independent Power Suppliers asked to help SA
There is a 450MW that is ready to deploy; the government is late…

No daytime load shedding, says Eskom
“Power utility Eskom says South Africans can breathe a sigh…

As it happened - Eskom briefing on latest load shedding
“ Eskom CEO Tshediso Matona says he has the tough job of balancing…

Call for Eskom to declare national power crisis
“This crisis has touched the daily lives of all South Africans,…

Gloomy outlook after four days of blackouts
“The Times reports that the current power crisis will plunge…

Eskom in scramble to secure funding
“Uncertainty surrounding power supply constraints presents…

SOLA wins Construction World Award
SOLA Future Energy has won an award for Best Specialist…

Rising Electricity Prices Is Good News For Solar Energy Users
“Amid rising petrol prices and threats of interest rate…

Renewable energy sector holds the key to job creation in SA
“South Africa has the potential to create many of jobs within…

Eskom load shedding reveals need for alternative energy for SA business
“Renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind, can facilitate…

New rooftop solar system to save Woolworths R215 000 a year
“The system took up about 800 m2 of roof space and was…

Cape Town signs first embedded electricity generation contract
“In a boost for renewable energy, the City of Cape Town has…

SA’s Energy Efficient buildings yield better financial benefits
“A new study conducted by Investment Property Databank (IPD)…

Energy Constraints Deepen Construction Sector Woes
“Eskom’s recent announcement of project delays in the…

Cape Town Townships Get Solar Power
“The first commercial solar PV system in the township of…


Prepare For Big Electricity Shock In South Africa!
Hi Folks, please click on the link below to read further about…

Cape Talk Radio Interview with Chris Haw, MD of Sola Future Energy, on Commercial solar installation
Follow this link to listen to the interview with Chris H…

Black River Park Solar Project to boost Cape Town’s power supply
SOLA Future Energy’s MD Chris Haw interviewed by CNBC Africa:…

Bad news for South African electricity consumers next year!
Eskom gets another punch in the face from NERSA: http://www.moneyweb.co.za/moneyweb-industrials/nersa-plugs-eskoms-financial-hole

1.2MW Black River Park solar plant feeds power into Cape Town’s electricity grid
The 1.2MW Black River Park Solar Project has broken new ground…


Is Eskom Going To Increase Electricity Tariffs by Primedia Broadcasting?
Click on this link to listen to an interview with the General…



Improved rand helps solar imports
Hey folks, have a look at this article. This would be a good…

Farewell to Nelisiwe Magubane
Please click on this article for further analysis regarding…

Independent network is the key to the energy crisis
A recent article by SAPVIA’s chairperson, Davin Chown,…

Eskom is back in trouble and energy prices are still too low
Eskom has once again run into problems meeting demand for electricity…

Pearson 100kW system, Brackengate
Education publishing company, Pearson, has signed a Design…

Embedded Generation on the rise
See this link to Engineering News article detailing some of…

Black River Park Expand their Record Breaking solar PV system
Black River Park, one of the largest commercial office park…

SOLA appointed at Khayelitsha Environmental Health Centre
SOLA has been appointed as the contractor to install a solar…


Real Cost of Solar Energy is Cheaper Than New Coal
South Africa is the world’s 4th largest coal producing country…

SOLA Future Appointed as Preferred Bidder on Woolworths Head Office PV Project
Woolworths have appointed SOLA as the preferred bidder for…

Eskom Emergency Stations
Check out the article in the business day this morning - Eskom’s…