In October, eSolar partnered with Clean Energy Solutions (CES) in order to expand operations in sub-Sahara Africa resulting in eSolarSA, Inc. The agreement gave CES the exclusive rights to represent and distribute eSolar’s concentrating solar power (CSP) technology throughout the region – including South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.
eSolarSA’s managing director Stuart Fredman told Alternative Energy Africa that the company was currently focusing on developing on-grid opportunities in South Africa, but was looking into off-grid operations as well. “eSolar’s technology is perfectly designed to address these issues in a cost effective manner for modular, cost effective CSP deployment,” he said.
As Africa continues to struggle with limited grid infrastructure, eSolarSA can grow exponentially if it is able to tap into the off-grid demand. Fredman also offered advice to potential investors looking to get onboard Africa’s RE industry admitting that global demand for clean energy was growing rapidly and “Africa is no exception.” He added, “The winding renewable energy technologies will have the flexibility of technology and strategic partnerships to meet the energy needs of developing countries.”
What is interesting about eSolar operations is how it focuses on small-scale projects – which would appear more feasible for African nations. “Our modular 46 MW plants are built more quickly on smaller parcels of land than other solar options, allowing us to overcome the sitting and transmission issues that face other utility-scale plants,” Fredman said. It does take larger projects more time to get underway, ie longer lead times to receive governmental approvals and acquire suitable land for such projects, which both drive up the investment costs.
Fredman said, “With ample natural resources and a technology well positioned to serve the market, we are finally seeing a crucial third element fall into place to bring more solar plants online – the political framework to help support a transition to solar power.” And after Kenya and South Africa implemented feed-in tariffs to accrue more RE investors, more African countries are expected to follow.
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