Solar - SA Update

THIN-FILM SOLAR PV PANEL TECHNOLOGY
This Engineering News article updates us on how SA's thin film solar PV panel technology (developed by Dr V Alberts) is coming along. The article reports that the "'development phase' for a commercial-scale project should begin in Germany in December, opening the way for a South African production facility that could become operational within "two-and-a-half" years." The production facility is to be built in Paarl in the Western Cape.

PLANS FOR ROLLING OUT SA'S TARGET OF 1M SWH INSTALLATIONS BY 2014
This Engineering News article outlines the framework for how government plans to reach it's target of rolling out 1 million solar water heater installations by 2014. The plans include the establishment of a 'National Solar Water Heater (SWH) Entity'. It states the key aims of this entity to be: "national entity are to ensure affordability by procuring low-cost, best-quality systems through bulk buying and large contracts with quality assurance; to obtain and manage funding streams; to rigorously manage the supply chain; to ensure large-scale project management and disciplined deployment of numerous subcontractors; to protect consumer rights and interests in terms of events such as flooding or repairs; and to be accountable to government, funding bodies and consumers."