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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

Graduates should use knowledge to ‘re-dream society’

2016-09-19

Description: Spring Graduation 2017 Tags: Spring Graduation 2017

Dr Molapo Qhobela, CEO of the National Research
Foundation was the guest speaker at the
2016 Spring Graduation ceremonies on the
UFS Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Johan Roux

“The knowledge you receive, the skills and tools you have acquired, whether they are tools of time management, tenacity or brilliance, are what we as this emerging new society need to re-dream for the type of society we would like see in this country.”

These were the inspiring words of guest speaker Dr Molapo Qhobela to graduates of the University of the Free State (UFS) at the Spring Graduation ceremonies on 15 September 2016 in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus. Dr Qhobela is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Research Foundation.

A total of 442 degrees, diplomas and certificates were conferred on graduates from six UFS faculties, namely the Faculties of Law, Humanities, Education, Health Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences and Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Joyous atmosphere befitting a spring ceremony
The spirit at the spring ceremonies was truly inspiring, joyous and heart-warming. The jubilation from the audience as the procession entered the hall demonstrated the exhilaration of graduates and their families. The sense of accomplishment and pride reverberated as the graduates walked across the stage.

Graduates’ hard work and dedication applauded

“You endured what you had to
endure and you enjoyed what
had to be enjoyed.”

“You have worked incredibly hard and the privilege to walk across the red carpet only goes to those who were prepared to do the work,” Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the UFS said.

He applauded graduates for the many hours and sacrifices they had to endure, saying: “You endured what you had to endure and you enjoyed what had to be enjoyed.” Dr Mokhele also mentioned the amazing Gold medal win at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro of UFS star athlete, Wayde van Niekerk.

Distinctions awarded by the UFS.

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