Cape Town - A group of engineers from Stellenbosch University has developed a new and cheap way to generate solar electricity, using small scale mirrors called heliostats to concentrate the sun’s energy.
Helio100 is a pilot project involving more than 100 heliostats measuring 2.2m2 each, generating 150 kilowatts of power in total – enough to power about 10 households.
Research engineer Sebastian-James Bode said: “We are using the mirrors called heliostats on the ground to reflect sunlight to the control tower, which heats it up and converts it into electricity. We call it concentrated solar power.”
Bode said the mirrors are self-powered and installed in such a way that it’s able to reflect the sun’s rays. He said during peak hours, when most people used electricity, the invention could help reduce usage.
“Since the CSP (concentrated solar power) stores heat it can help maintain electricity usage and be a cost saver for ordinary households.”
He said South Africa could use the concept to become a technological leader while also creating jobs
“We have made the CSP easy to assemble for unskilled labour. If we can develop more of them, it will automatically result in more work opportunities.”
Bode said there was a plan to “attract the interest” of the textile industry because it uses heat to operate.
He said the idea first came up as a research project and the team involved had learnt a lot from it.
Team member Katleho Mabeba, who joined the project last year, said the system had many advantages.
“I can see the CSP helping with the power outages we have been experiencing.
“It gives green energy, which is what a lot of people are advocating for. And on top of that, more of these units will mean more jobs for a lot of unemployed people.”
Cape Argus