SUNfarming, one of the 10 major photovoltaic (PV) project developing companies in Germany, has joined powers with the Faculty of Engineering at the North-West University’s (NWU) Potchefstroom Campus to launch an initiative that will significantly improve the quality of life of many communities, especially those in rural areas.
Realizing that the need for education, sustainable job creation and food security in African countries are increasing, they have designed an innovative solution to meet the needs of the communities by establishing a Food & Energy Solar Training Centre at North-West University.
The Food & Energy solution consists of special agro-solar green-house structures. The first three of its kind have been successfully tested and operated with excellent output on the Potchefstroom campus of the NWU.
This is the result of the partnership between SUNfarming and the NWU where continuous training and research on new solutions for the future are being done. SUNfarming also collaborates with the University of Nairobi, Cape Coast University, Ghana, Copperbelt University, Zambia and BIUST University and Botswana in order to realize this project in Africa as well.
With this partnership, they have reached out to the local Ikageng community in Pothefstroom by transferring skills to its members and to build them a Food & Energy facility which provides them with energy, sustainable jobs and food.
The Food & Energy project, co-financed by the German Government, is focusing on the application of technological engineering solutions and taking traditional, small-scale vegetable farming to new heights.
According to Prof LJ Grobler, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, this concept enables them to multiply the use from the same available surface area. “We are doubling the value of the surface area as not only agricultural produce is grown, but the solar panels are simultaneously also generating energy.
Cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, broccoli and onions are grown in three unique greenhouses.
The initial plants, fertiliser and compost were donated by the NWU and SUNfarming. Thereafter, the revenue generated from these products will afford them to be sustainable for many production cycles to come. Read more.....
Realizing that the need for education, sustainable job creation and food security in African countries are increasing, they have designed an innovative solution to meet the needs of the communities by establishing a Food & Energy Solar Training Centre at North-West University.
The Food & Energy solution consists of special agro-solar green-house structures. The first three of its kind have been successfully tested and operated with excellent output on the Potchefstroom campus of the NWU.
This is the result of the partnership between SUNfarming and the NWU where continuous training and research on new solutions for the future are being done. SUNfarming also collaborates with the University of Nairobi, Cape Coast University, Ghana, Copperbelt University, Zambia and BIUST University and Botswana in order to realize this project in Africa as well.
With this partnership, they have reached out to the local Ikageng community in Pothefstroom by transferring skills to its members and to build them a Food & Energy facility which provides them with energy, sustainable jobs and food.
The Food & Energy project, co-financed by the German Government, is focusing on the application of technological engineering solutions and taking traditional, small-scale vegetable farming to new heights.
According to Prof LJ Grobler, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, this concept enables them to multiply the use from the same available surface area. “We are doubling the value of the surface area as not only agricultural produce is grown, but the solar panels are simultaneously also generating energy.
Cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, broccoli and onions are grown in three unique greenhouses.
The initial plants, fertiliser and compost were donated by the NWU and SUNfarming. Thereafter, the revenue generated from these products will afford them to be sustainable for many production cycles to come. Read more.....
 | Motlalepula Magini, a resident of the Ikageng township, wants to empower others with the knowledge and skills she is gaining from SUNfarming and the North-West University. Photo: Supplied. |
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