1. Solar Systems Applications in Cape Town
Background:
DmE projected impact of RE in 10 years is dismal ( GWh/pa)
Because it is judged against poor electric conversion efficiencies
Solar water heating has been suggested to by-pass this shortcoming
Highest impact however would be on peak demand losses on ESKOM grid
Cape Town have ambitious target of solar heaters (by 2010)
Objectives:
Impact of solar heaters on grid peak demand
Projections of energy and line loss savings on a nationwide application

2. Case Study: Blombos Pilot Solar Water Pumping
Solar Systems
Case Study: Blombos Pilot Solar Water Pumping
Outputs:
Solar panel driven pump system
Farmer had more water than needed!
Cost of R13k (40 % of original spec!)
Comments:
Over-design ignorance increases costs
Need to move away from obsolete methods
Additional White LED installation for ultra-low power lighting
Background:
Blombos lies about 300 km on Cape Town’s west coast
Farm needs: water pumping
Commercial system cost: R33k
Approach:
Used latest state of the art equipment - not archaic solar maps!
Used wind to advantage: raised the panel up

3. Optimization of Solar Water Pumping System using Genetic Algorithms
Solar Systems
Optimization of Solar Water Pumping System using Genetic Algorithms
Scope:
Development of algorithms
Collection experimental results
Simulation
Modifications

4. System simulations for: Motor Pv array Optimisation:
Solar Systems
Pump type: SOLASTAR positive displacement pump for low head applications (< 100 m)
Maximum Power Point Tracking is provided by an algorithm that monitors potential and current from the pv array.
System simulations for:
Motor
Pv array
Optimisation:
Analysis of conduction losses
Power dissipations
Other circuitry losses