Photo: Sectorial view of the solar PV plant installed at the CUT Bloemfontein campus.

With loadshedding episodes threatening to close doors of business across the country and changing the normal livelihoods of communities, Central University of Technology is set to become a key role player in providing renewable energy in the near future.  The university has taken significant steps towards this energy transition, starting with installing a solar PV plant at the Bloemfontein Campus and establishing itself as one of the leading institutions in renewable energy solutions.

“We are making our mark in the energy-saving terrain with our 153.7 kW solar plant.  Instead of using the electric supply from the grid and putting more strain on a limited power supply, we are using electricity generated by our solar plant to keep our lights on,” said Prof. Pamela Dube, Vice-Chancellor and Principal.  

This initial installation accounts for around five percent of the campus' total demand consumption. This sustainable initiative leads to an average reduction in CO₂ emissions by approximately 419,530 kilograms per year, which results in significant financial savings. 

Implementing the current solar power system at CUT is aligned with the university's broader commitment to prioritising renewable energy sources. The aim is to enhance electricity generation via renewable energy sources and technologies, specifically through solar PhotoVoltaic (PV), across both campuses.

In addition, the University is actively involved in ongoing research and collaboration among supporting sections and faculties, especially with the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology and Resources and Operations Division. These joint efforts aim to expand the university’s knowledge and research while addressing the supply and demand of energy and its efficiency while promoting renewable energy initiatives.

Photo: The residence’s roof before and after PV installation and the major solar components of the hybrid PV system with battery backup.

 

“Our Energy Generation Project is an important milestone for the university as we aspire to become a key player in renewable energy solutions through our applied research approach to benefit the communities we serve,” concluded Prof. Dube.

Photo: Residence capacitated during loadshedding period with photovoltaics installation.

The project has been extended further to the rooftop of students’ residences which marks the University's first venture into photovoltaics with energy storage capability at a small scale. The installation of a rooftop hybrid photovoltaic (PV) system with a five kWp capacity, along with two 100Ah, 48V Lithium-ion battery backups connected in parallel, was completed at a residential building. The PV system is incorporated with a remote monitoring data acquisition system to ensure that the plant’s performance can be remotely monitored.

This system spans an area of 23.80 square meters (consists of a total of twelve (12) PV modules with each max power of 450 W) and generates an output of approximately 5.4 kilowatts-peak (kWp), resulting in an estimated annual electricity production of about 8212.50 kilowatts-hours (kWh) for the residence. This environmentally friendly initiative helps avoid the annual emission of approximately 8130.38 kilograms of CO2, which can fulfil around 30.50 percent of residents' energy requirements.

Plans to install the 1MW solar PV plant at the Welkom Campus are underway as the process of rolling out the project is at an advanced stage. Besides saving on electricity costs, the solar plant allows academics and students to expand their research and discover how it is paving the way for a better future through solar photovoltaic energy. The installed solar plant is also envisioned to assist students in acquiring real-time data they can use for their postgraduate studies or research. Additionally, some research studies have been conducted to improve the efficiency of the installed solar panels.

Uploaded: 01 August 2023