The representative body for South Africa’s solar energy industry, the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), this week announced the election of a new board. The announcement of the new board took place during the virtually held Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 18th of May.
SAPVIA is also celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The industry body has been pushing boundaries in the renewables sector through proactive policy advocacy and lobbying efforts. The Association has been at the forefront of transforming South Africa’s economy and energy sector.
The Board and Members have adapted to the rapidly changing industry and embedding best practice to create a world-leading renewables sector.
The AGM on 18th May saw the election of 3 new Board Members to the 10-commissioner board. The 2021 SAPVIA Board Members are Sunette Smith of Reatile Group, DeVilliers Botha of Solareff, Daniel Goldstuck of SOLA Group, and returning for a second term Chanda Nxumalo of Harmattan Renewables and Richard Doyle of juwi Renewable Energies. Outgoing board members are Jo-Anne Dean, Boitumelo Kiepile and Vuyo Ntoi.
“We are so grateful for the continued support of the members and the willingness to commit time, energy and expertise to building the solar PV industry in South Africa.” says Niveshen Govender, Chief Operating Officer of the SA Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA).
These new board members will be joining current Chairperson, Wido Schnabel, of Canadian Solar, Rainer Nowak of Webber Wentzel, Norman Moyo of Distributed Power Africa, Frank Spencer of Bushveld Energy and Maloba Tshehla of ED platform to complete the 10-commissioner board.
SAPVIA’s journey this past decade
SAPVIA’s growth over the past 10 years reflects the flourishing renewables sector and from just 6 members a decade ago, the Association now boasts 544 members across the solar PV value chain.
“Our ambition is to support and attract members who are as diverse as the industry itself. We have restructured our membership categories to promote inclusivity and diversity. This is supported through our working groups, through which we are fostering networking and knowledge sharing that encourages participation of all industry players to address challenges facing the industry.”
SAPVIA recently launched the PV Industry Jobs Report which showed an increase in employment in the solar PV industry and the future projection that could become a reality with the continued roll-out of renewable energy and solar PV across South Africa.
SAPVIA continues to evolve to meet the needs of Members, demonstrated most clearly through programmes like the PV GreenCard programme, PV Professionals, PV Spotter and PV Marketplace. These programmes support quality and safety in SSEG installation practices; enable information sharing and access to building opportunities for new entrants; feature installed projects across the country and showcase the best products and services to facilitate a localised marketplace that supports the South African economy.
“We have come a long way since our formation and as a body we are excited to step into this new chapter with a multi talented team steering us,” says Govender. “Our focus for the year ahead is navigating a post-Covid economic recovery that has renewables and solar PV at its heart.”
