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01/09/2026
More than 8 500 new solar photovoltaic (PV) panels/modules are set to significantly boost Nelson Mandela University’s renewable energy capacity across its seven campuses – six in Gqeberha and one in George.
 

Dr Andre Hefer: Sustainability Engineer, Infrastructure Services and Sustainability Department 
“The platform will generate 4.4 megawatts (MW) of solar power by the end of 2026 – enough to supply 25 – 30% of the University’s total electricity needs,” says the University’s sustainability engineer, Dr Andre Hefer, from the Infrastructure Services and Sustainability Department.
“Construction started in mid-November 2025, and we are already generating solar power on our Summerstrand North Campus and the Ocean Sciences Campus. All the campuses will be generating power by the end of November 2026.”
Extensive use is being made of car port roofs to accommodate the solar panels. Where necessary, old asbestos and timber carports are being replaced with smart aluminium, offering greater longevity and making better suited for the University’s coastal campuses.
The solar platform is a strategic investment project driven by the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellors to generate sustainable savings for the University in support of its long-term sustainability framework, including lowering its carbon footprint.
Melvin Syce: Senior Director: Infrastructure Services and Space Optimisation 
The project is being managed through the University’s Infrastructure Services and Space Optimisation Directorate, led by Melvin Syce, who explains: “The decision by the University leadership to significantly boost solar generation capacity came on the back of the major load-shedding experienced in 2023 when the University was without Eskom supplied electricity for what amounted to a third of the year. We had to resolve the issue as a matter of urgency, for both operational and financial reasons.”
Dr Hefer broke down the financial impact of the power outages, adding that the significant investment into this project would result in long-term savings.
“During the outages, for example, we were using 6000L of diesel per day in our generators at a cost of about R150 000 per day, which was not sustainable. With our new system we can downscale the diesel use to 10 – 20% of the previous use.”
Dr Hefer says the new solar platform is valued at R68-million and is being funded by the University.
“It is expected to save the University between R8-million and R10-million annually on our annual electricity bill of about R60-million.”
PVinsight (Pty) Ltd CEO physicist Prof Ernest van Dyk and the mobile lab for testing PV panels/modules
A sample of the panels was checked on arrival by PVinsight (Pty) Ltd – a specialist solar photovoltaic (PV) module testing, inspection and consulting company based on the Ocean Sciences Campus and led by its CEO, physicist Professor Ernest van Dyk.
PVinsight was spun out of the Photovoltaics Research Group (PVRG) in the University’s Department of Physics. PVinsight has the only SANAS-accredited ISO 17025 mobile laboratory testing service in South Africa for field testing.
“Solar plants at the commercial and industrial level are a major financial investment and it’s hugely important to have solar modules independently tested on arrival and on-site once installed to make sure they meet the manufacturer’s specifications,” says Prof Van Dyk.
“A documented, independently verified report of module condition can be compared against any future assessment of weather damage or degradation.”
South Africa’s largest insurers say claims for weather-related damage to solar assets have exponentially increased. As insurers tighten cover and claim conditions, the burden of proof on solar plant owners will increase.
“Over and above the solar platform, we have invested in a centralised generator system to ensure continuity of power throughout the University as our current generators only power up essential buildings, such as the main administration building, medical and science laboratory refrigerators and server rooms,” says Syce.
“Our residences were not powered which was a problem for students needing to study, although we always provide rechargeable lamps and gas stoves for cooking.”
The combined system will ensure that the University can continue operating during power outages and throughout the night, while reducing its carbon footprint in line with its value of environmental stewardship.
“We are also partnering with Etana Energy, an Independent Power Producer (IPP) that uses the Eskom grid to wheel wind and solar energy to users,” Hefer explains. “In combination, this will give us close to 80% of our total power needs from renewable sources. Etana will start to generate electricity from May 2027 as they already have approved and secured grid capacity.”
This is the second solar PV plant that the University has invested in. The first 1MW plant, installed on its Summerstrand South Campus, has been producing solar energy since June 2019 through a power purchase agreement where the institution pays for the electricity generated for the first ten years, after which it takes over ownership of the plant.
“We were the second-largest solar installation in the Nelson Mandela Metro at the time – the other one was at Volkswagen,” says Hefer. “This time around we realised a self-financing approach is a far better model for us. Owning the platform from day one is the way we will go for any future enhancements.”
 
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