Page 20 - Energize November 2021

NEWS

SA firm recognised as best African solar company

ioneering South African solar energy provider SolarAfrica has been named the
continent’s leading solar energy firm, scooping the Africa Solar Industry Association’s
P(AFSIA’s) African Solar Company of the Year award at a ceremony held in London on 16
November 2021.
AFSIA’s annual Solar Awards recognises exceptional talent and achievements in the
African solar market, celebrating companies and individuals that have made an ‘outstanding’
contribution to promoting and advancing the use of solar across Africa through good
practice, professionalism, quality, safety and innovation.
SolarAfrica’s win came in recognition of the company being the first to successfully Charl Alheit
market solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) to residential and commercial power users
in South Africa since its inception in 2011. SolarAfrica’s residential and
Ten years later the business has over 50 staff members and has financed over 125 commercial PPA solution
projects across Sub Saharan Africa – equating to more than 55 MW in total energy provided. SolarAfrica provides a solar finance
Together with financing partners, Commercial Energy SA, the company has provided its solution through a PPA that enables users
customers with a capex-free solar solution that delivers long-term monetary savings and to reduce their monthly electricity costs by
improves their environmental footprint by reducing their CO 2 emissions. up to 30% and become more sustainable
To date, SolarAfrica’s impact on the environment has resulted in a reduction of 47 000 organisations, without having to pay any
tonnes of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to 30-million kg of coal. With that in mind, upfront capital.
SolarAfrica is predicted to save their customers over R500-million in lifetime savings across Its fully installed Tier 1 solar PV system
their entire portfolio which relates to more than 1,3-million tonnes of CO 2. requires zero capital investment, while
Accepting the award on behalf of the team, SolarAfrica Chief Investment Officer Charl the agreement includes full maintenance,
Alheit described the excitement of witnessing the growth of the African solar market over monitoring and insurance throughout the
the last decade. lifetime of the agreement.
“What’s really encouraging is that the growth in the solar market has been based The company conducts a full technical
predominantly on a financial decision, being that solar is generally cheaper than the review to determine each client’s
alternative. The environmental benefits are merely a bonus. This reality will ensure the consumption trends, which ensures that
sustainability and resilience of this market going forward. the solar systems provided are customised
We’re expecting a very exciting decade ahead and are excited to be part of a more to provide the best possible cost savings
sustainable energy mix going forward,” he said. for each client.
All systems are monitored continuously
SolarAfrica’s ten-year involvement in the industry has been marked by several notable to ensure optimum customer savings and
achievements: any faulty or broken equipment is covered
• The installation of the first grid tied PPA in Kenya in 2013 and replaced at no cost to the client.
• The first to launch its solar proposal and project development software tool called Unifii, “Not only do we offer a guaranteed
which enables businesses to create solar proposals within minutes uptime of 98% on all of our solutions, but
• Later that year, the company launched their residential product and signed the first the greatest advantage to SolarAfrica’s PPA
residential (body corporate) PPA in South Africa is our ‘No Take, No Pay’ clause, which means
• The company funded the largest battery system in Africa in 2016, which was also the first you only pay for the power you use,” says
Tesla PowerPack installed on the continent Alheit.
• In 2016, SolarAfrica won the Frost & Sullivan Award for South African Solar Rooftop PV
Entrepreneurial Company of the Year Contact SolarAfrica, Phone 087 250-0974,
• In 2020, SolarAfrica signed and constructed one of the largest solar carports in the world info@solarafrica.com,
for Ford Motor Company Southern Africa https://solarafrica.com

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