Solar energy equipment supplier Valsa Trading reports that the solar photovoltaic (PV) ground-mounted structures that it recently supplied to a large mine in the Northern Cape reduced the miner’s dependency on the local electricity utility in addition to making the mine ecofriendly.

The company supplied its locally designed and manufactured solar PV ground-mounted structures to the mine in December. Valsa Trading MD Svilen Voychev explains that the structure was designed and manufactured to provide a quick-install, offering a secure structure for solar PV panel ground-mounted installations.

“The design can accommodate a double row of panels configured with up to 80 panels per table in portrait orientation. This is ideal where roof space is not available or when only ground space can be used. It is well suited for mining applications which often have large, adjacent areas of empty land.”

This project is one which represents the drive by the mining sector to reduce its carbon footprint and dependency on the local and national power utilities, as well as costs through alternate sources of energy. Larger mines now have sustainability plans to address energy use, climate change and important social issues.

“Unreliable electricity source from grid-to-mine, is one of the challenges experienced by the mining industry, and power supply has to be supplemented by a generator or other power sources to allow a mine to operate 24/7. Further, the cost of electricity has become so high that operating costs have increased to a level that affects overall viability of operations.

“Reducing high costs and the carbon footprint in the mining industry can be easily achieved through PV solar power. While there are currently very few solar projects for mines in South Africa, owing to challenges experienced in the licensing process, there is positive sentiment as regulatory reform is under way, together with the expected approval of a solar powered mining project in the coming weeks.”

The challenges experienced by the mining sector in terms of power supply also provide an opportunity to innovate, says Voychev. He explains that a mine can achieve many deliverables by building solar projects with excess power capacity than what is required for its operations.

“This would allow the mine to sell the power to a local utility that may not be able to increase its supply of power due to its own constraints. Further, it might be possible for the mine to supply a neighbouring mine and/or local communities at an appropriate tariff. Owing to the low operation and maintenance costs associated with solar, as well as the long-term life of solar panels, the mine’s solar project could continue to operate after the life of the mine has been reached.”

Therefore, Voychev strongly advocates that education and awareness on the benefits of different types of clean energy are important in ensuring that all stakeholders understand the benefits of reducing their carbon footprint.

“At Valsa, we always recommend energy efficiency and energy management strategies to clients. It is key for mines to minimise power requirements and gain an understanding of energy use before embarking on independent power projects.

“We can provide a turnkey solar solution to replace some, if not all, of a mine’s existing power source, whether it is a diesel generator or expensive and unreliable electricity from a national or local grid. Valsa also conducts a visibility study that takes the needs of the mining operation into consideration. We then do the design and the sizing of the PV system based on the power profile of the mine and the load requirements. PV solar enables the mining operation to create a stable operation that can operate at full capacity,” says Voychev.

Meanwhile, Valsa also supplies different battery storage solutions. “The cost of battery storage has declined as technology has improved, and this can be used with a solar solution to minimise generator use.”

“Many African mines are located in remote areas with no access to a national electricity grid. The use of expensive generator power is often the only power solution. Most of these locations have abundant solar resources and, therefore, solar can be used to replace some of this power. The high output of the solar solutions at these sites (subject to the impact of extremely high temperatures in some locations) increases the viability and lowers the cost per kilowatt and the payback period,” he concludes.