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is a privilege and honor to host the first Africa Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Durban from the 27th until the 29th of March 2014. The hosting of this prestigious event in South Africa underscores the recognition given by the international community for the technical innovations in and the rapid commercial advancements of the solar PV sector in South Africa, especially over the past two to three years.
The conference and exhibition will allow local government officials, scientists and business developers to interact and exchange information with representatives from leading international PV companies and foreign government agencies. This opportunity will without doubt stimulate and strengthen direct and indirect cooperation within the international scientific and business communities, which is a prerequisite for much needed support of the development of a sustainable solar PV industry in South Africa and Africa. With this in mind, the active participation of local academic research groups as well as relevant commercial entities and government departments are required in order to guarantee the success of this auspicious event.
I am confident that the first Africa Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition will be remembered as the catalyst for sparking future solar PV innovations and strategic business opportunities in the African continent. I look forward to meeting you in Durban and I am eager to join all of you in an effort to make positive contributions to this historical event that will shape the future of solar PV in Africa.
Professor Vivian Alberts
Member of the Executive Committee
Head of the Steering Committee
University of Johannesburg/ PTIP-Photovoltaic
Technology Intellectual Property (Pty) Ltd
AfricaPVSEC Opening Keynote
Speakers
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Vivian Alberts
Head of the Steering Group AfricaPVSEC
University of Johannesburg / PTiP (Pty) Ltd
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Rafikh Ismail
Senior Account Manager
IDC-Industrial Development Corporation
Green Strategic Business Unit
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Giovanni De Santi
Director
IET - DG JRC
European Commission
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Yansong Rong
Economic & Commercial Counselor
Embassy People's Republic of China in South Africa
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Mmboneni Muofhe
Deputy Director-General
Department of Science and Technology
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Robert Blair
Vice President Business Development
GCL Solar Energy
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Stefan Rinck
CEO
Singulus Technologies AG
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Innocent Siziba
Portfolio Manager
Green Fund Development Bank of Southern Africa
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Arnulf Jäger-Waldau
Renewable Energy Unit DG JRC
European Commission
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Irene Pinedo-Pascua
Renewable Energy Unit DG JRC
European Commission
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T Bischof-Niemz
Energy Consultant
f.w. Eskom
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M. Koyama
Senior Programme Officer - Innovation and Technology
International Renewable Energy Agency
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The first Africa Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (AfricaPVSEC) will take place at the Durban ICC in Durban, South Africa, from 27 to 29 March 2014.
Africa PVSEC is designed to provide an international platform to present and discuss the latest scientific results, as well as to offer networking opportunities for solar industry professionals and public policy stakeholders.
Solar photovoltaic (PV)-generated electricity is a key energy source poised to meet Africas rapidly growing energy demand which cannot be met by traditional sources alone.
Therefore, AfricaPVSEC aims to improve Africa’s position on the global PV-map highlighting the extension and development of solar PV in Africa and the increased potential for exploitation and use of PV technologies and applications in the African context.
The Technical Opening on Thursday, 27 March at 9.00 a.m. chaired by Arnulf Jäger-Waldau, AfricaPVSEC Technical Programme Chairman, European Commission, DG JRC, Italy, will feature 3 keynote speeches on Renewable Energies and PV Focus on Africa, Competence and Overview of Research Landscapes in Africa and RE and PV Research and Implementation in South Africa.
At the Political Opening on Thursday, 27 March at 10.30 a.m. chaired by Vivian Alberts, AfricaPVSEC Head of Steering Group, University of Johannesburg, Photovoltaic Technology Intellectual Property (Pty) Ltd, South Africa, keynote speakers from politics, science and business will share their views on the latest scientific results and proposals for technical advancement in the solar-PV sector.
Become part of AfricaPVSEC to exchange about ideas, initiatives and technologies and to benefit from the move towards an efficient and sustainable exploitation of solar photovoltaics in Africa.
Find out more about the AfricaPVSEC Opening and Conference Programme
5 reasons to join the first AfricaPVSEC
- Solar PV electricity is now the cheapest electricity option for more than 1/3 of the African population.
- Africa PVSEC provides the South African platform for the exchange of best practices as well as for scientific exchange in various areas of solar research and implementation.
- In the coming years, Africa will depend mainly on the import of solar components, but based on current activities there will develop an African PV cell and module industry.
- SMEs need local partners with whom they can build their business. Africa PVSEC offers SMEs the possibility to showcase their own strength and search for such a partner.
- The programme is divided into three topics, all necessary for a successful adaptation and deployment of the PV technology on the African Continent:
- Academia and company research groups
presenting and discussing their latest results for further improvement
of PV systems
- Presentation of technical details of best
practice examples in Africa
- The third topic will cover the "Enabling Environment", i.e. political, regulatory, actual resources and financing conditions in Africa
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