CSIR energy experts developed an online training course and guidelines to assist municipalities with cost-efficient procurement of photovoltaic (PV) assets.

The training course is available online at www.training.sseg.org.za with four additional courses aimed at developing the small-scale embedded generation at municipalities. The first training session held in November 2020 reached 18 participants from municipalities across South Africa.

The training course supplements a guideline on the same topic developed under contract with German development agency, GIZ. The guideline is based on the methods developed at the CSIR and the lessons learnt during the procurement of four PV systems for self-consumption at the organisation’s Pretoria campus. The guideline supports municipalities in South Africa with cost efficient procurement of solar PV electricity generators for installation at municipal facilities. The guide focuses on self-funded PV systems for self-consumption of the electricity produced.