SAPVIA and German Solar Association to Tackle Rooftop PV

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) and German Solar Association (Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft e.V. or BSW-Solar) have agreed to cooperate on a number of critical initiatives that are required to support the development of the nascent roof-top PV market segment in South Africa. 

BSW-Solar represents approximately 1,000 companies, and has played a crucial role in creating conditions that are suitable for investment in Germany’s solar industry. SAPVIA represents more than 160 companies, organizations and individuals who have an interest in the solar PV industry in South Africa, taking into account the industry’s contribution towards energy security and economic development. 

The South African German Energy Program (SAGEN), implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), supports the implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in South Africa. A specific objective of SAGEN is to facilitate the development of the roof-top PV market in South Africa.  Facilitating the historic cooperation between SAPVIA and BSW-Solar will ensure a vibrant, sustainable market in the PV rooftop space.    

“We are confident that the cooperation will ensure sustainability, reliability and customer satisfaction in the South African PV rooftop market, based on the experience in Germany”, said Dr Sascha Thielmann, SAGEN’s Program Director.  

The agreement, formally signed in Munich, Germany, takes place in the context of SAPVIA’s support for the orderly development of the roof-top PV market segment. The most important aspect of this process is the institution of a framework that will provide assurance to such role players as residential customers, investors, banks, insurance companies, electricity distributors (i.e. municipalities and Eskom), and relevant state organs, that solar PV installations and installers meet minimum internationally bench-marked quality and safety standards. SAPVIA will draw on the BSW-Solar’s experience with a similar process in Germany, which has resulted in the implementation of what is known as the “PV Passport”. 

In addition, the agreement provides for business-to-business interactions among members of the respective associations. It is envisaged this will be of great benefit to small-medium enterprises (SMEs) that are active in the PV sector, both in Germany and South Africa. 

Commenting on the collaborative effort, Mr Moeketsi Thobela, CEO at SAPVIA, said: “There has been wide-spread recognition that roof-top PV holds great potential for South Africa. A hint in this regard is the fact that in 2015, new capacity additions from roof-top PV installations (in mega-watts peak or MWp) out-paced those related to the large-scale Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Program (REIPPPP).” Mr Thobela added, “Against this background, the requirement for a robust quality and safety assurance system cannot be over-emphasized”. 

Mr JÓ§rg Mayer, Managing Director at BSW-Solar agreed, stating: “Our experience from Germany’s PV market – comprising roof-top and ground-mounted PV systems with total installed capacity of close to 40 000 MWp – is that quality installations are a pre-requisite for the sustainable evolution of this market.” Mr Mayer continued, “It is our intention to support SAPVIA and key stakeholders in South Africa by sharing our experience in the implementation of a safety and quality assurance system. We therefore look forward to collaborating with SAPVIA on this and other important initiatives, including facilitating business-to-business interactions.”

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