Profile: South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA)
T he South African Photovoltaic Industry (SAPVIA) was formed to represent the collective voice of the Solar PV industry in South Africa. Its vision is to ensure that solar PV becomes the electricity generation technology of choice in both South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, in support of the country’s socio-economic development targets. Its mission is to mobilise support for the sustainable growth of solar PV in South Africa and beyond, while staying true to its values of consistency, cohesion and collaboration.
SAPVIA’s mandate is to represent the PV industry in government on a regional and international level, and advise key decision-makers on the best policies to develop a sustainable PV market. It promotes a higher penetration of the technology by mobilising and supporting the sector, organising conferences and facilitating networking.
SAPVIA currently has over 170 members, operating across the entire value chain. They include PV manufacturers, renewable energy solutions providers, weatherproofing cable equipment providers and financers. Members are encouraged to network and form strategic partnerships at networking events. This year, during the coronavirus, SAPVIA has helped facilitate this through arranging digital networking events and virtual conferences.
African Wind Energy Association), BEPA (Black Energy Professionals Association), IPPO and Reef SA to deliver a seven-part webinar series addressing key areas that aspiring developers need to know about.
The webinars – sponsored by Standard Bank – focussed in on topics such as ‘Bankability to Financial Close’, ‘Solar Energy Financing’ and
‘How high-powered modules enhance your solar investment’. The events involve speakers who are key players in the field, and are available to view after the fact, ensuring maximum participation.
in partnership with the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar) and the German International Corporation (GIZ).
The PV GreenCard aims to improve the safety and quality of installations by providing a comprehensive documentation of solar PV systems, which includes details of the installation such as what sort of PV modules and PV inverters were used, as well a checklist of all of the necessary installation steps that have been safely completed. It is presented to clients by the installer once installation has been completed, and can be used by the installer to show compliance with relevant standards. This will uplift the industry in line with global best practice and promote investor confidence.
The PV GreenCard Programme also focusses on education, training and skills development. This helps improve installer capacity and confidence, and thereby improve the industry.