Solar photovoltaic rooftop programme exceeds performance expectations

30 August 2022
Department of Transport and Public Works

On Wednesday 10 August, the Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) hosted a site visit to the solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of 9 Dorp Street by a delegation led by United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA ) Director Enoh Ebong.

The visitors came to hear about progress on the Western Cape Government (WCG) solar photovoltaic rooftop programme following a USTDA -funded feasibility study in 2014. Director Ebong was delighted to hear of the many facets of the DTPW green building journey, including the much-celebrated recent publication of the 10th WCG Property Efficiency Report.

Solar PV Programme Manager Stephen Olkers shared a photograph-rich presentation of the 17 solar PV projects currently installed at WCG facilities. These have a total plant capacity of 2 222kWp and generate approximately 2 840mWh of electricity per year. A further 1 310kWp and 1 699mWh will come on stream in the near future. Olkers showed that, according to the system

metrics of direct current system capacity, energy yield, solar energy impact and value of electricity consumption avoided, the system has performed better than the results forecast in the original feasibility study. R20.5m of energy costs have already been avoided through use of this renewable energy source of supply and the full capital cost of the systems will have been recovered by 2028.

Provincial Public Works representatives also shared the exciting journey being undertaken in collaboration with Government Motor Transport on the development and roll out of a renewable

energy charging network for electric vehicles (EVs) to support the implementation of the WCG EV Strategy.