Lynedoch Eco Village Eskom Rooftop PV project Date

Lynedoch Eco. Village Eskom Rooftop PV project Date: 19 May 2016 Nick Singh, Raj Chetty and Orika Orrie

Introduction • Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems have been gaining popularity within South Africa for the last few years. • The costs have been decreasing and many South Africans have seen it as a viable alternative to the Eskom grid. • Eskom Research, Testing and Development Smart Grids Department has chosen Lynedoch Eco. Village to test a site with Rooftop PV systems, battery storage and energy trading. Research, Testing and Development – Turning knowledge into business decisions

Background • Rooftop Solar PV panels are composed of solar cells which convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. • The DC electrical charge is then converted into alternating current (AC) by a power inverter which will power the homes in the Eco. Village. • Energy Trading is a conceptual system which will allow Eskom to trade excess energy between the homes in the Village, this will allow the testing of the concept. Homes with surplus energy will be trading the energy to homes with an excess.

System Design

Project planned schedule • Begin installation of smart meters – October 2016 • Begin installation of PV and Battery Systems – January 2017 • Testing of system – January 2017 to March 2018

Salient Facts • The solar panels will provide limited power supply to the homes in the Eco. Village in the case of load shedding or a power cut. • All data collected by Eskom will be treated confidential. The details of the data collected will be communicated at a later stage with a non-disclosure agreement. • The Solar PV systems are the property of Eskom Research, Testing and Development Smart Grids Department. • If there any faults or problems with the system, an Eskom appointed authorised and certified person will be making repairs or replacements. Homeowners may not tamper with the system

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