Semiconductor materials manufacturer Soitec reported on Tuesday that 18 students had completed the first phase of its concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) technology training programme – the first of its kind in South Africa.
The programme, conducted in Touwsrivier, in the Western Cape, was created in 2011 by Soitec’s solar division in collaboration with the University of Cape Town and Northlink College, and aims to develop the skills required for South Africa’s growing solar industry.
Funded by Soitec and German investment and development corporation DEG, the programme entailed a basic course covering electricity, PVs, power plants and CPV basics, followed by an advanced, specialised course on electricity and mechanics.
“We are proud of the success of our graduating students, as we believe that the development of CPV in the country can contribute to more sustainable development, protecting the environment while creating new job opportunities,” Soitec solar division executive VP Gaetan Borgers said in a statement.
As one of the companies selected by the South African Ministry of Energy at the end of its first Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme bidding round, Soitec is building a 44 MWp utility-scale CPV power plant in Touwsrivier, and aimed, through the programme, to prepare applicants from the local community for employment during the construction, operation and maintenance phases of the plant.
“This training initiative is intended to open new career paths for South Africans and create a new workforce at the local level, and comes as the independent power producer programme estimates that 1 450 MW of photovoltaic power will be in operation by 2016,” said Borgers.