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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

Armentum make their mark on Barefoot Day

2015-08-19

On a cloudy day when it seemed that no one would be willing to take off their shoes, Armentum men’s residence and Put Foot Foundation supporters stepped out in their numbers to provide shoes for less fortunate school children.

With a R10 donation, supporters could dip their feet in paint in order to make their mark on the blank canvas in support of this good cause. The main aim of barefoot day is to tackle the daily plight and indignity of school children.

The Armentum students kicked off the event on the Red Square at the UFS Bloemfontein Campus, where they were partnered by the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice.

On the day, Dr Choice Mokgetha, Vice-Rector: External Relations, and Prof Nicky Morgan, Vice-Rector: Operations, made a contribution of R1000 for all the foot prints made on the canvas.

“The idea was conceived by the residence and RC Culture, Thapelo Makhubalo. Joining hands with the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice made it possible for us to make it an even bigger event. “Since I work at the Institute, and they work with human rights, it was easier to get them on board,” said the Prime of Armentum, Eddie de Wet.

At the end of the event, the blank canvas was filled with footprints supporting the initiative. All proceeds will be used to put shoes on the feet of children.

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