Every hour the sun beams onto Earth more than enough energy to satisfy global energy needs for an entire year. Solar energy is the technology used to harness the sun's energy and make it useable. This renewable energy is becoming increasingly popular as the world takes notice of the burgeoning carbon emission problems that come with burning fossil fuels. 

In support of CUT and its quest to go green, the department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering assisted the institution in the massive sustainability drive. The idea originated from an increased daily usage of technological devices by CUT students for their studies. The Solar-flower prototype project was designed and developed by the Electrical Department and launched in May 2013.  A little more than a year has passed and the project took a giant leap forward. Eight of the ten brand new solar flowers will be strategically placed on Bloemfontein campus (to serve the almost 11 000 strong student body) and the other two will be Welkom with a student population of just more than 2 500. These are cell phone/tablet charging stations for CUT’s students. The charging station works from solar energy, which is free thanks to the burning ball of fire in the sky! The station is designed to charge all cell phone makes and models. 

Each station can charge up to four devices in one go. Facts:

• Solar energy does not cause pollution - it is 100% green
• Solar energy is free
• Solar energy is infinite (as long as the sun shines, the energy can be harnessed)
• It is the main source of energy for all life forms
• Saves CUT electricity!

The newly engineered CUT Solar Flowers.