Sapoa CEO Neil Gopal and Sapvia CEO Moeketsi Thobela
The South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa) and South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (Sapvia) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) opening the way for collaboration on the use of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) technology in the commercial and industrial property sectors.
The two organisations said in a statement that the MoU would allow them to leverage the capabilities of their respective members to facilitate the installation of rooftop systems at shopping malls, office parks and industrial estates country-wide.
Sapoa CEO Neil Gopal said the arrangement formed part of the organisation’s response to the country’s current energy constraints and could bolster energy security in the sector.
Sapvia CEO Moeketsi Thobela added that momentum was building around embedded PV generation, with the installed base having risen rapidly to more than 30 MW.
“The synergies represented by this agreement are enormous, including the fact that both the demand from Sapoa members’ property portfolios and solar PV generation tend to peak during the day,” Thobela added.
A coordinating committee comprising representatives from both industry bodies would oversee the implementation of the MoU.