Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

UFS installs solar plants on all campuses, bolstering renewable energy amid continuing power cuts

18 August 2023 | Story Lunga Luthuli | Photo Francois van Vuuren

Bloemfontein Campus Solar Farm — The solar plant on the UFS’s Bloemfontein Campus, part of the university’s commitment to combatting loadshedding and embracing sustainable energy.

The University of the Free State (UFS) has installed solar plants across its three campuses.

The university says this is in response to the call for urgent solutions to loadshedding and the promotion of environmentally sustainable, cleaner, and renewable energy solutions.

Nicolaas Esterhuysen, Director of Engineering Services at UFS University Estates, said,

“The PV (photovoltaic) systems are grid-tied without storage to ensure maximum benefits and faster payback periods.”

Esterhuysen said the UFS has saved up to R32,5 million since the first solar plant was commissioned in 2017 to help the UFS reduce the impact of loadshedding and its carbon footprint and energy costs. “This will substantially increase this year with the commissioning of two large new ground-mounted solar plants on the Bloemfontein Campus,” he said.

“The microgrid installation on Qwaqwa Campus is one of the biggest solar diesel hybrid systems installed in South Africa. It allows us to keep the campus running despite excessive power interruptions.”

The UFS is currently embarking on research as part of the Grid-related Research Group (GRRP) under the Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures (ICDF) to also help staff and students with understanding renewable energy and sustainability.

Esterhuysen said the plants are further evidence of the UFS’s commitment to renewable and energy saving solutions. “It is our flagship project, but our focus is also on energy saving initiatives – to ensure we are becoming more energy efficient and eliminate energy wastage. We have plans for expansion on all campuses. Some of the highlights are an off-grid solution for the new student centre at Qwaqwa Campus and to make South Campus a self-sustaining campus.”

The installed grid-tied system solar plants are operating without batteries on all three campuses, giving the university an optimal configuration between capital cost and payback period.

The energy generated at the solar plants:

Bloemfontein Campus – 3688 kWp

Qwaqwa Campus – 918 kWp

South Campus – 759 kWp

Paradys – 125 kWp

News Archive

Kovsie Xtravaganza 2006 with Jak de Priester and Dewald Louw

2006-08-29

Kovsie Xtravaganza, the showcase of Kovsie student arts and culture achievers, will take place on Wednesday, 20 September 2006 at 20:00 in the Sand du Plessis Theatre. The audience can once again expect an array of sound, movement and colour in true Kovsie style.

This years’ production will be unique in the sense that a “10 man live band” will provide the sound. The well known artist, Jak de Priester, will act as your host and guest artist. The newly crowned kykNET Idol and Kovsie student, Dewald Louw will all make a guest appearance!

The annual residence culture winners will also be announced at the event. Wayne Flemming is the director of the show, whilst John Smit will act as musical director.

The audience can once again expect some familiar hit songs, presented in true Kovsie fashion! Apart from well-known artists like Thabo Hlongwane, Hanno van Heerden, Caroline Haasbroek, Elmarie Potgieter and Bea van der Vyver, some new talent will also be presented on stage. The winning serenade groups, Veritas and Sonnedou, as well as choirs and dance groups, will be part of the production.

Tickets for this extravaganza will be available from all PACOFS outlets at R30-00 a ticket and bookings can be done at 051-447 7772.

For any other enquiries, please contact Kovsie Culture (Louis Botha) at 051-401 2819.

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept