An official website of the United States government Contact online >>
An official website of the United States government
Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock () or https:// means you''ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
California is blazing ahead in renewable energy, with an emphasis on solar. It''s an ambitious plan that other U.S. states and countries are watching carefully.
The state can already electrify 3.3 million homes with solar energy alone. A large chunk of that comes from the new Solar Star installation, with 1.7 million solar panels. It is the solar farm with the largest capacity in the world.
California outshines all other U.S. states in solar power. The solar dominance was achieved by a combination of local, state and federal laws and incentives for businesses and ordinary citizens to adopt solar and other renewable energy technologies. Generous tax credits have been important tools in California''s renewable energy roll-out.
California installed more solar in 2014 than all the other U.S. states combined from 1970 to 2011, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
The state has long led the charge into a renewable energy future, and it continues to build on that record. State climate legislation enacted in 2015 mandates that 50 percent of California''s electricity must come from renewable sources by 2030. This means utility companies are grappling with a new, 21st-century business model. Renewable energy from numerous sources — called the distributed grid — will soon provide as much or more power than the conventional, centralized grid. It''s a big change.
And it''s happening around the world. Clean energy investment has been a priority in China, Europe and Brazil, just a few of the places expanding their solar, wind and geothermal energy capacities.
South Africa, for example, has a number of solar energy projects underway. In May, Eskom, the country''s state-owned power utility, signed a 20-year power-purchase agreement with the Kathu Solar Park. That project alone will add 100 megawatts to the national grid by the end of 2018. Kathu Solar Park will use innovative thermal storage technology. When it comes online, it is expected to supply 80,000 households across South Africa, reduce carbon emissions by 300,000 metric tons annually and bring 1,200 new jobs.
Outside of Mexico: 844-528-6611
The California start-up SolarReserve had initially developed the project in 2014, competing during the early years of South Africa’s Concentrated Solar Power push, but it was delayed time after time by South Africa’s indecisive renewable permitting, and after the Crescent Dunes tank failure bankrupted SolarReserve, it was ultimately taken over by Saudi Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) leader ACWA Power, who restarted the project in 2021 and selected POWERCHINA subsidiary SEPCOIII, (which has experience in constructing many CSP projects in China and the MENA Region) as the EPC.The news of this success is reported here from Chinese media Xinhua.
The 100 MW Redstone Concentrated Solar Thermal Power (CSP) Project is not only the first CSP project in sub-Saharan Africa, but also one of the largest renewable energy investment projects in South Africa. [Ed: Although South Africa permitted some previous Parabolic Trough CSP projects, including ACWA Power’s record-setting Bokpoort Trough CSP project, this marks its first Tower CSP project]
Cape Town, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) — Upon arriving at Postmasburg, a town in the Northern Cape Province in South Africa, one may be pretty amazed by a towering structure that heaves into view.
Enveloping this nearly 100-story-high tower are thousands of large rectangular mirrors, strategically positioned to capture the sun’s rays and redirect them towards the pinnacle of the tower. Collectively, these mirrors resemble a colossal sunflower, symbolically blossoming on the soil of the vibrant “Rainbow Nation.”
This is the 100 MW Redstone Concentrated Solar Thermal Power (CSP) Project being built by SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Corporation, a subsidiary of POWERCHINA. It is not only the first (Tower) CSP project in sub-Saharan Africa, but also one of the largest renewable energy investment projects in South Africa.
“Eventually, the 248-meter-high tower will be surrounded by over 40,000 heliostats arranged in concentric circles,” he told Xinhua.
According to Xie, once the project is fully operational, it is projected to generate approximately 480 GWh of electricity annually for the national grid. This substantial output will effectively cater to the power requirements of over 200,000 South African households.
The project’s significance, he said, extends beyond addressing the country’s power deficit. It will also play a crucial role in expediting South Africa’s transition towards renewable energy sources.
Mthoko Ngidi, project manager of its South African partner, highlighted the project’s contribution to local employment, with over 2,500 jobs created in South Africa and 650 of the jobs taken by employees from the local community, fostering economic growth within the region.
On top of that more than 400 local engineers and technicians have received training, thereby enhancing the overall skill of the local workforce through knowledge and expertise sharing.
In 2021 when the Redstone project was launched, Gloria Kgoronyane founded a local cleaning company with just two employees. Since being subcontracted by SEPCOIII to provide cleaning services for the project, her business has been growing. Currently, her company employs a team of 18 individuals, indicating her business expansion and increased demand for their services.
Kgoronyane is thankful for the opportunities offered by the Redstone project. She explains that before working there, she was jobless and had nothing. Now, she has a firm that has created employment opportunities for people in the community.
Sharing a similar sentiment, Simone Xengana, who started as a grassroots employee and has been working for the Redstone project for over three years, is now the HR manager of the project.
The project, she said, has boosted her professional growth, providing opportunities for career advancement. Moreover, she appreciates how the project has allowed her to contribute to her community by creating employment opportunities and facilitating professional development for others.
“It also assisted me to further my studies and take part in seminars and workshops that are required by my professional board. So when I exit Redstone, I will be on a much higher level than I was when I entered,” said Xengana. “So the Redstone project did not just develop me as a professional, but it was a life-changing experience.”
“Professionally I have significantly gained experience within the renewable energy sector, which previously I did not have,” said Bryce Muller, a quality inspector at the Redstone project.
“Renewable energy is the way forward. It is the future,” said Muller, a former worker at coal-fired power plants.
“In terms of my personal capacity, it has now given me a sense of upliftment,” he said.
Ngidi said that the project will be synchronized onto the national grid in early September, when the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is held in Beijing.
Optimistic about the results of the summit, Ngidi said “understanding that South Africa is on a just transition in terms of investing a lot in energy … China, being a world leader in terms of building renewable energy, is sitting in a very advantageous position in terms of participating.”
About California solar energy south africa
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in California solar energy south africa have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient California solar energy south africa for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various California solar energy south africa featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
