Solar energy and South Africa: a match made in heaven

[one...two...tree 2,762]

JOHANNESBURG / ROTTERDAM - November 30, 2011 (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) Of all renewable energy sources, solar has the biggest potential in South Africa. That is because the host of the COP17 climate change conference in Durban has one of the highest and the most stable solar radiations in the world.

"The variable is around 3%. That means that on a good day, solar radiation in South Africa is 100% and 97% on bad days. These conditions are extraordinary," says ####### Berlijn, managing director of Pretoria-based solar electricity development firm Subsolar Energy.

It is furthermore estimated that South Africa has over 2500 hours of sunshine annually – which comes down to one third of a year (four months including nightly hours).

"In that respect, the sun is more predictable and reliable than wind energy, and therefore more economically viable," Berlijn adds. "When there is no wind, no electricity can be generated. When it storms wind turbines need to be shut down. Wind is in addition less predictable. On the other hand, the number of solar hours remains constant through the years."

"Last but not least, the Rainbow Nation has ample space to build photovoltaic power (PV) plants, which convert sunlight into electricity using the Photoelectric effect," adds Edwin Koot, CEO of SolarPlaza.

This is an international platform for solar energy stakeholders. The company is renown for its solar energy conferences, of which it has organised over 30. The latest one is taking place in Johannesburg next year January.

"In the north of South Africa, there are hundreds of square kilometres of unutilized land which are perfect for PV," Koot notes.

Research has shown that one hectare of PV can generate 1 MW.

"Therefore, here is no doubt that solar energy will become a competitive energy source within the next 10 years in South Africa," he continues. "We see South Africa as Africa's solar leader."

The need for alternative sources of energy in South Africa is vital, and not only to meet the growing electricity demand. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), South Africa pumped 369,4 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere in 2009. This makes the Rainbow Nation the 16th biggest CO2 emitter.

This is largely due to the fact that over 90% of South Africa's electricity is generated from coal. Figures by the IEA show that our country consumed 194 million short tons of coal in 2008 (91% of all the coal consumed on the entire African continent in that same year).

South Africa's solar energy potential will be among the topics during SolarPlaza's Solar Future South Africa conference in Johannesburg. The event will take place in the Sandton Convention Centre on 25 January 2012.

The one-day conference will address issues like the link between solar and job creation, the practicalities around the development of PV projects, Feed-in Tariffs, the business opportunities attached to solar energy projects, financing PV projects, and what solar energy could mean for the South African electricity demand and its economy.

http://www.investorideas.com/news/2011/renewable-energy/11301.asp

[Obama 2012 1,714]

so when are you moving to South Africa Steven?

[lostinblue 1,989]

‘Africa needs $600bn in climate funds’

November 30 2011 at 04:30pm

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http://sxc.hu/

The African Group at COP17 in Durban says it needs US$500 billion to US$600 billion to finance its emissions reduction efforts and adaptation to climate change.

Group spokesman Seyni Nafo told a briefing that African ministers had agreed to ask developed countries for an amount equivalent to 1.5 percent of developing countries’ GNP.

“We did a calculation; we need about US$500 billion to US$600 billion,” he said.

This is five to six times more than the US100 billion by 2020 agreed to at COP16 in Cancun, Mexico, for the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The fund - which observers believe will be formally established at the Durban summit - is aimed at helping poor countries finance emission reductions and adaptation.

Nafo described the GCF’s US100 billion as a “symbolic political number”.

It had “nothing to do with science or a rational and objective assessment”.

He earlier told journalists that Africa had contributed the least to climate change, but was paying the highest price for its severe impact.

The African Group comprises 54 states, including South Africa.

Objections to the US$100 billion for the GCF were raised earlier this week by Canada and the United States, with both countries citing concerns about how the money would be raised. - Sapa

http://www.iol.co.za/business/international/africa-needs-600bn-in-climate-funds-1.1189688