An innovative new Supplier Development collaboration between Solana Energy and Absa Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) has ensured the democratisation of access to solar energy that will allow high-impact social initiatives to continue their critical work.   

Through Absa CIB’s Citizenship programme in partnership with Public Sector & Growth Capital Solutions team, Solana Energy has been appointed to install solar energy to identified beneficiaries over a period of 3 years with the first installation delivered at the Ma Mohau NPO orphanage, located in Ekhuruleni in the east of Gauteng,

Activities at the orphanage had been significantly curtailed as the site had suffered with 4 to 6 hours of loadshedding daily. Not only were electrical appliances impacted but the water pump for the site was not able to supply clean water during interruptions.

Through interventions from Solana Energy, a solar system has been installed, and the roof of the facility structurally enhanced, with the water pump now having consistent power supply. 

“Solana Energy is proud of its Supplier Development collaboration with Absa,” says Ahmed Motara, Business Development lead at Solana Energy. He adds: “It is critical that we ensure that solar energy is not simply a tool for those who can afford it but is extended to critical organisations such as Ma Mohau to allow them to do the valuable work that they do daily.”

This sentiment is echoed by Bongi Mabena, Citizenship Manager at Absa CIB: “This initiative allows us to leverage Absa’s Supplier Development initiatives and deliver social impact that supports our communities, ultimately creating a sustainable landscape for our ecosystem.”  

Solana Energy was formed through an Enterprise and Supplier Development partnership with South32 in 2022 and has been an innovator in the solar energy sector through a number of activities including the development of a world-class training facility in Richard’s Bay. This facility has trained nearly 110 young solar installers and led to the establishment of a number of accredited installers and black-owned electrical businesses across the country. 

Motara concludes: “Solana Energy is not simply a solar installer. We are a purpose-led and impact-focused organisation which aims to bring together like-minded partners such as the Absa Citizenship team to ensure that we democratise access to solar energy.”  

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