June 2010Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
As fossil fuels are non renewable, limited in supply and fast depleting, it is vital to find alternative energy sources as a replacement. Comparing South Africa’s solar usage to some of the leading users of renewable energy, Germany for instance, it becomes evident that South Africa has some catching up to do. Solar energy can be utilised directly, as is done in domestic solar water heating systems, or it can be used to generate electricity by means of photovoltaic panels or CSP (concentrated solar power).
Photovoltaics
These are modules that convert light directly into DC current. This can be stored in a battery and retrieved when it is needed to operate electrical consumables. A charge regulator ensures optimum battery charging with consumables, such as 12 V energy saving lamps, connected directly to the charge regulator. If alternating current is required then an inverter is needed to generate AC from the DC battery source. The size of the panel determines the amount of output power. For an off-grid solution, the smallest solar panels supply about 10 W and the largest about 200 W.
In an on-grid application the AC output from the inverter is fed onto the public grid via the grid feed electricity meter. In this way electricity is returned to the public grid when it is not being consumed locally and the supplier is paid by the power company based on the meter reading.
Concentrated solar power
CSP systems use lenses or mirrors to focus sunlight; electrical power is produced when the concentrated light is directed onto photovoltaic surfaces or used to heat a transfer fluid for a conventional power plant.
South Africa’s solar radiation output is over twice that of Europe, making it one of the highest in the world. IBC Solar South Africa has realised this potential and has the products and the knowledge required to go forward. The product range includes:
* Solar modules.
* Inverters.
* Batteries.
* Mounting systems.
* Charge regulators.
* Installation mounting.
* Solar inverters.
* Backup systems.
* Off grid inverters.
* Wind energy inverters.
* Monitoring systems.
The Group also provides a training course for the marketing, design, and installation of solar/wind electric systems, which is also accredited by the engineering council.
For more information contact Grant Joyce, Lapp Kabel, +27 (0)11 201 3200, [email protected],
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