Performance Analysis of CSIR’s Solar PV Plants

Abstract

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria is rapidly getting off the grid with the implementation of renewable energy projects as part of its drive to demonstrate the potential of renewable energy in the South African energy industry. South Africa faces a two-fold energy challenge where it struggles to meet its electricity demand, while being one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in Africa. The objective of the CSIR is to provide some expert intervention in the South African energy sector, with focus placed on expanding the energy system in order to meet demand while becoming less carbon intensive. This paper analyses the performance of CSIR’s first three photovoltaic projects. The paper focuses on energy yield, performance ratio and the levelised cost of energy (LCOE).