THE green light has been given for the conversion of British American Tobacco’s cigarette manufacturing facility in Distillery Street, Paarl, into a solar module factory at a cost of more than R1 billion.
Reconstruction and upgrading of the facility is to start before the end of the year and the first panels should come off the assembly line in two years’ time.
Sasol has expressed interest in being a partner in this venture and an announcement is expected in the next month.
Thin Film Solar Technologies SA intends to manufacture thin film solar photovoltaic modules with technology that was developed by Prof Vivian Alberts of the University of Johannesburg.
The panels are revolutionary in that they do not use expensive silicon to convert sunshine directly into electricity. Based on copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS) they are only five microns thick - that is only half the thickness of a human hair.
They produce electricity more efficiently and two-thirds more cheaply than silicon technology panels. The panels last up to 20 years and can be recycled.
