Company Announcement - After Arco was taken over by Siemens in 1990, the business was continued by several Siemens offices in Africa, with its headquarters located in Midrand, South Africa. In 2002 Royal Dutch Shell acquired the solar activities from Siemens and opened an office as Shell Solar in Midrand, South Africa. Subsequently, in 2006, Shell Solar’s crystalline solar activities were taken over by SolarWorld AG globally, the office of SolarWorld Africa located in Midrand, South Africa.

In 2008 the offices of SolarWorld Africa were moved to Cape Town, South Africa.

Today, SolarWorld Africa is responsible for more than 40 countries in Southern, Western, Central and Eastern Africa. 

Year  Milestones of African activities

• 1984 First office in Nigeria under Arco Solar brand
• 1990 Siemens takes over Arco Solar
• 2002 Royal Dutch Shell acquires Siemens Solar, establishing Shell Solar
• 2006 SolarWorld completes the takeover of Shell’s solar crystalline activities and opens first office in Johannesburg, founding SolarWorld Africa
• 2008 SolarWorld Africa office moves to Cape Town

Selected systems discussed by panellists
It is based on this recorded history that SolarWorld pioneered solar projects in Africa over the last 30 years. Highlights include:

1986, Namibia:  SolarWorld Africa’s partner Solar Age Namibia installed a solar electricity system of 21 Arco Solar solar modules on the farm “Erichsfelde” in Central Namibia
1992, Namibia: SolarWorld Africa’s partner Solar Age Namibia installed M55 Siemens solar modules at the “Huab Lodge” in Damaraland, North-West Namibia
1996, Namibia: SolarWorld Africa’s partner Solar Age Namibia installed one M55 Siemens solar module on a rural home in the Caprivi Strip in North-East Namibia
1998, South Africa: SolarWorld Africa’s partner Telecom Techniques installed their first installation of Siemens solar modules in the Eastern Cape in South Africa
1999, Namibia: SolarWorld Africa’s partner Solar Age Namibia installed Siemens solar modules near the “Spitzkoppe” in Namibia
2004, Namibia: SolarWorld Africa’s partner Solar Age Namibia installed Shell solar modules at the “Gobabeb Desert Research Station” in the Gobabe Desert in Namibia

Testament to SolarWorld’s claim of quality, reliability and longevity, some of these recorded projects have been in operation for up to 30 years. They are continuously performing well, even in some of the harshest conditions in Africa.

Gregor Küpper added: “Together with our partners, we are proud that with 30 years we have the longest track record of solar electricity projects on the African continent. Globally, we are the only manufacturer who is in the market longer than the warranties we offer on our solar systems. We thank our partners for their continued support, as their commitment to our product is the best proof of our unique and long-term quality offering. We look forward to many more successful and sustainable solar projects together.”

Powering all sectors of the South African economy
Gregor Küpper stipulated: “Today, solar power is already driving almost every sector of South Africa’s economy. Over the last 30 years, SolarWorld Africa has undertaken a number of strategic, large scale projects. These include:

• In agriculture, the Dube Tradeport IDZ in Durban, the Cape Span and Rooibos Ltd. plants in the Western Cape where solar electricity is used to provide renewable energy for the production of agricultural food supply
• In ICT services, the Vodacom Head Office in Century City where solar electricity is providing energy for this leading mobile service provider’s business services
• In healthcare, solar electricity is being used at Mitchells Plain Hospital and Khayelitsha Hospital
• In manufacturing, SolarWorld has helped Puma sportswear manufacturer, Imphala Clothing, lead the global brand’s sustainability drive with a solar-powered factory
• In education, the German International School in Cape Town has installed solar power as a back-up to energy requirements for students
• In tourism and hospitality, rural lodges and camps are being powered by solar electricity

African innovation
Gregor Küpper added: “SolarWorld’s commitment to sustainability and social innovation is also playing a lead role in local market innovation.” This year, SolarWorld Africa sponsored the solar-powered mobile office for the 2014 SASOL Solar Challenge which was won by the Dutch team while the University of Kwazulu Natal was the leading local team. SolarWorld Africa also designed and supplied solar powered television sets, so-called Sun-TVs, to enable 37 rural communities across Southern Africa to enjoy the FIFA Soccer World Cup games in 2010 and 2014.

In another ‘world-first’, it installed the first solar-powered toll-gate in Zimbabwe and sponsored a solar powered ‘green classroom’ at Intaka Island eco-sanctuary in Century City.

A new phase dawning
Gregor Küpper concluded: “With expected policy reforms into netmetering or feed-in tariffs for solar electricity, growing investment into renewable energy and research projects by academic institutions, a new phase is dawning. Africa is set to develop on par with the rest of the world in terms of solar technology and the market is growing. Through its 30-year history in this market, SolarWorld is at the forefront of this bright and sustainable future.”