I thought I should try to shed some light on our FOSCAM Solar kits, some common misconceptions and why we at Foscam have chosen to use lifepo4 batteries in our Solar kits.

The most common batteries used in solar energy storage typically are made with one of two chemical compositions: lead acid or lithium ion. In most cases, lithium ion batteries are the best option for a solar panel system, though other battery types can be more affordable.

1. Lead acid
Lead acid batteries are a tested technology that has been used in off-grid energy systems for decades. While they have a relatively short life and lower DoD than other battery types, they are also one of the least expensive options.

2. Lithium ion
Lithium ion batteries are lighter and more compact than lead acid batteries. They also have a higher DoD and longer lifespan when compared to lead acid batteries. However, lithium ion batteries are more expensive than their lead acid counterparts.

Frequently asked Questions are:

• How long will my batteries last before I need to replace them?
  • A typical solar battery has a lifespan of between 5 and 15 years
  • This depends on a few factors, how many times or cycles the batteries are depleted and recharged the DoD (explained below), the type of charge controller and the settings used to optimize your charge and discharge cycle.
  • Here at Foscam we pay close attention to the recommended depth of discharge or DoD. DoD is the percentage of the battery’s stored energy you use. For example, your battery’s capacity is 13.5 kWh, and you use 10 kWh of its charge. The depth of discharge would be 74%.
  • DoD is important because pushing your battery beyond its recommended DoD can significantly shorten your battery’s lifespan (the lower the DoD, the longer the life span and vice-versa). Manufacturers will assign each battery type a recommended maximum DoD. If your charge controller is not correctly configured you can kill your batteries in a few months, one setting does not fit all.

• How long will my batteries last without sun (dark run time) before they are flat?
  • Foscam’s kits are designed to be used with the supplied equipment, that’s because we carefully match the connected equipment’s total power needs to the battery’s supped along with the panels recharge capacity. If you add or change the power consumption by adding more or different equipment it will affect the dark runtime.
  • For example using our standard 12ah Solar System and connecting 1 Foscam camera we calculate a 30hr to 40hr run-time (Winter solstice), if you now add a POE CPE device like a TP-Link CPE510 to the pole then you run time drops to 20hr to 31hr run-time (Winter solstice). That’s a 10 hour reduction.
  • Keep in mind that the minimum you need is 12 hours (summer solstice, Southern hemisphere), , that will only cover you for a one night, if the next day is very overcast and rainy then your system will go offline.
  • It a trade off of price and weight v runtime, but most users accept that there will be a few days in year that they will be offline.
  • If runtime is important to you then look at our 25Ah kit
  • https://www.foscam.co.za/solar/156-fos-sol-k24ah.html

• Can I connect my own equipment to the Foscam solar kit?
  • We give you a USB 5V, a 12V regulated, and a 12V unregulated hand-off. You can connect any additional equipment (max 600ma) to a Foscam standard system, but we then cant can’t grantee guarantee runtimes as advertised / stated as we have no idea of the power  requirements of your equipment.

Lithium-ion batteries – life span

The predominant questions on any battery powered device are undoubtedly: how long will it last and what is the warranty. Warranty is certainly important, though not the only factor to consider when evaluating your solar battery options: price, performance, and durability should all be taken into account.

Similar to your laptop or cell phone battery, solar batteries degrade over time: as you continue to use and charge your battery, it loses the ability to hold a charge.

However, it’s important to not evaluate battery warranties based on charge – discharge cycles alone; because solar batteries gradually lose their ability to hold a full charge as they age, a cycle towards the end of your battery’s life will store and produce less energy than the output of a cycle immediately after installation.

Standard manufacturer warranties for lithium-ion batteries covering both performance and defects is one year, but extended warranties are available for purchase from some manufacturers. A warranty beyond 10 years does not make sense because so much of the battery would need to be replaced after year 10. As a comparison, a lead acid battery (such as in your car) and a gel battery (such as in your alarm system, UPS or automatic gate), has a life span of 3 to 5 years. For big installations, insurance can also be purchased by the user. Operations and maintenance of batteries is complicated because the normal tendency of the operator is ‘install and forget’. Rates of deterioration of the battery depend on how the battery is used.

With the above in mind, this is why most battery manufacturers today are quoting a battery’s ‘throughput warranty’. A ‘throughput warranty’ is the total energy a manufacturer expects the battery to deliver throughout its lifetime. These warranties are typically stated in terms of megawatt-hours (MWh).

Because the output from cycling your battery pack will diminish as the years go on and the fact that a battery pack is made up of many individual cells, defining an exact lifespan based upon warrantied cycles alone is very difficult. As an OEM we do not establish the cycle warranty of the battery pack but quote the battery manufacturer’s specifications.

Why choose LiFePO4 deep cycle batteries?

The life of a lead-acid battery is greatly affected by the DOD. A lead-acid battery is likely to fail quickly on a user as it normally only allows 25% to 40% (up to 60% sporadically) DOD.

In contrast, a LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery, which is newer technology, has a deep-cycle discharge, so it can reach 2000 cycles with 100% DOD. Lithium batteries can also be discharged at a specific C-rating. With a working temperature of 25° C and a discharge rate of 0.5C, a LiFePO4 battery can reach 4000 to 6000 cycles.

With a working temperature of 25° C (a higher temperature affects the figures quoted below) and a discharge rate of between 0.2C and 0.5C (the battery C Rating is the measurement of current in which a battery is charged and discharged at), a LiFePO4 battery can reach 1000 to 6000 cycles. Compared to lead-acid batteries which have a life cycle of between 500 and 2100 cycles, the advantages of deep-cycle lifepo4 batteries are the following: Eco-friendly; Good high-temperature resistance; higher DOD.

What is DOD (Depth of Discharge)? The Depth of Discharge (DOD) of a battery represents the percentage of the battery that has been discharged relative to the overall capacity of the battery.

A battery’s “cycle life,” the number of charge/discharge cycles in its life, depends on how much battery capacity is typically used. Rather than completely draining a battery to its maximum DOD, a user will be able to attain more cycles in their battery regularly discharging it with a lower percentage of charge.

For example, a battery may have 15,000 cycles at a DoD of 10%, but only have 3,000 cycles at a DoD of 80%.

With the Foscam solar systems, the aim is for a large number of cycle lives, and a stable discharge performance whilst giving the user the best possible ‘dark time’ (no solar charging available). The more equipment added to the solar system, the higher the DOD.

Compared to lead-acid batteries, the advantages of deep-cycle lifepo4 batteries are the following:

• Eco-friendly
• Good high-temperature resistance
• Good safety characteristics
• No memory effect
• Higher-capacity compare with same size lead-acid battery
• Longer cycle life than other lithium-ion batteries
• Ideal drop-in replacement for lead-acid batteries
• Lower total cost of average use

Please feel free to browse our range of solar kits and if you have a special requirement, we will happily quote you a bespoke system, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Robin Watson, Managing Director South Africa for MAN Energy Solutions will deliver a keynote presentation next month at #SSAPOW19 and also talk about Man Energy Solutions range of engine and turbine-based power solutions.

The Southern Africa Power Summit will provide a platform to address some key challenges of improving ageing power infrastructure, developing new power infrastructure, renewable power innovations, gas to power technologies, transmission & distribution solutions, more cost effective temporary power solutions and much more.

We will bring together Ministries of Power & Energy, State Power providers, Public – Private partnerships (PPP), Independent Power Producers (IPP’s) and key solution providers to tackle some of the most pressing issues within the African Power industry.

In the Sub Continent region power companies will be looking toward the strategy for increased power capacity: Eskom, ZESCO, Electricidade de Moçambique (EdM), NamPower, TANESCO, Southern African Power Pool, Botswana Power Corporation, SNEL, RNT and many more.

Meet the key decision makers from The Southern Africa Power Industry for 3 days of panel discussions, workshops,1-2-1 business meetings and networking. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details to register. 

• Increased uptake of domestic solar PV and solar water heating due to Eskom crisis
• Massive increase in complaints about solar PV and solar water heating installations
• SESSA awareness campaign urges consumers to check solar company credentials/ affiliations

Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA) launches awareness campaign “Clued-up on solar”. The initiative aims to raise consumer awareness for choosing credible solar suppliers and installers. SESSA strongly urges consumers to check company’s credentials and affiliations such as SESSA membership before making a choice.

In the past months, since Eskom’s crisis culminated in the worst load shedding in history, consumers have been embracing solar PV and solar water heating. The increased demand for these systems has seen solar companies and installers inundated with enquiries and seen many new companies and individuals appear in this market. As a result, SESSA has seen a massive increase in consumer complaints about faulty installations and substandard equipment in solar systems.

“The number of complaints has tripled. Some days my phone doesn’t stop ringing” says Deon van Blommestein, SESSA ombudsman. “There seem to be a number of so-called professionals out there, looking to make a quick buck at the expense of the public” he concludes. 

SESSA stands for good business practices and strives to ensure that the goods and services offered by its members are of the highest quality. The SESSA Guarantee of Excellence, the Code of Conduct and the ombudsman ensure that SESSA members carry credibility and can offer their customers peace of mind. 

The Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA) has been actively promoting the use and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency since 1974. The inter-disciplinary nature of SESSA attracts the membership of industry, scientists, researchers, developers and the general public. For more information and an up to date member listing visit www.sessa.org.za

After their first appearance in 2018, IBC SOLAR will be present again in 2019 with their own stand at the Solar Show Africa from 26 – 27th March in the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

IBC SOLAR opened its doors in Cape Town in 2017 providing the Sub-Saharan side of the continent with their solar products and systems. “Africa is an attractive solar market with rapid growth and high demand for self-consumption systems with energy storage solutions” says Daniel Haitzler, the Managing Director of the subsidiary in Cape Town. “Our business activities focus on commercial and residential systems up to 5 MW. We provide EPC companies and installers not only with solar products but solutions having our own design software PV Manager for instance” he refers.

Since the end of last year, IBC SOLAR also carries Victron products in the portfolio. Alex Joist, Business Development Manager adds: “This complements the SMA inverter portfolio and the company’s position as “The Expert for storage and off-grid solutions”. The flexible combination of IBC and GCL modules with our inverter portfolio, the handy IBC mounting and the BMZ storage solutions makes it possible to provide our clients with bespoke PV systems for their applications.

”Get Empowered by the Sun and visit IBC SOLAR at the Sandton Convention Centre, Level 2, Stand B15. 

About IBC SOLAR
IBC SOLAR is a leading global provider of photovoltaic and energy storage solutions and services. The company offers complete systems and covers the entire product range from planning to the turnkey handover of photovoltaic systems. The product range comprises solar parks, self-consumption systems for commercial enterprises and private households, off-grid photovoltaic systems and diesel hybrid solutions. As a project developer and general contractor, IBC SOLAR implements and markets major solar projects worldwide. The manufacturer-independent system house guarantees the highest quality for all projects and has currently implemented photovoltaic systems with an output of over 3 gigawatts worldwide. IBC SOLAR works with a close network of Premium Partners and supports them with their own software tools for planning and designing grid-connected systems including storage systems. IBC SOLAR offers customised packages for energy providers, municipal utilities and providers of photovoltaic solutions. The company ensure the best possible output of solar parks through technical management and monitoring.

IBC SOLAR was founded by Udo Möhrstedt in Bad Staffelstein in 1982 who has managed the company as the Chairman of the Executive Board to date. The system house is a pioneer of the energy turnaround in Germany and is especially committed to energy cooperatives with its own planned public solar parks. The company is active internationally with numerous regional companies, sales offices and partner companies in more than 30 countries.

With the 4th Annual Sub Saharan Africa Power Summit less than 3 weeks away,  Bertrand Belben, Head of East Africa Business Development, InfraCo Africa has announced his Roundtable debate topic.

"Delivering off-grid #power in sub-Saharan Africa, the next big challenges for developers and governments."

The SSA Power Summit separates itself from traditional conferences and exhibitions. There are no booths or exhibition halls at the summit. They focus on delivering extremely high quality, high-level gatherings with some of the most senior executives in the power sector in an intimate five-star environment. All the themes and topics at the summit are end-user driven and are put together by a content committee which consists of our delegation and government relations team who set the hot themes and issues that are currently facing the power industry. 

www.ssapower.com 

Family owned since 1982 and being in the solar industry for over 35 years, the IBC SOLAR's internationalization strategy reached the African continent. The Company Group has opened its doors for over one year now in South Africa providing the Sub-Saharan side of the continent with their solar products and system.

“Africa is an attractive solar market with rapid growth and high demand for solutions for its own power supply” says Daniel Haitzler, the Corporate General Manager of the subsidiary in Cape Town. “Our business activities focus on commercial and residential systems up to 5MW. We provide EPC companies and installers not only with solar products but solutions providing our own design software PV Manager for instance” he refers.

As newest addition to their product portfolio, IBC SOLAR proudly launches the new GCL-P6/72H Cells Module Range for the market at this year’s African Solar Show. With a maximum power output of 335W and a maximum module efficiency of 17.3 %, the panel is among the top performers in the industry and an ideal choice for large scale installations.

IBC SOLAR only works with the best! - GCL Group, together with GE and Panasonic New Energy, are the top three companies of the list of "2017 World’s Top 500 New Energy Enterprises", as well as the only Chinese enterprise on the Top Ten list. After 27 years of development, the GCL group has become one of the world's largest developer and manufacturer of photovoltaic materials, new energy operator and integrated energy services provider.

Visit IBC SOLAR at the Sandton Convention Centre, Level 2, Booth A42.

“Take-Care packages” support Premium Partners worldwide with the marketing of storage solutions 

Bad Staffelstein / Germany, July 13th, 2017 – IBC SOLAR AG, a global leader in photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage, supports its international Premium Partners with new service packages for lithium-ion storage systems. Installers in more than 30 countries are tapping into new business segments with the “Take-Care packages”. 

“We are an experienced partner with more than 7,000 installed storage systems of all sizes worldwide. Our international customers often express the wish to be supported when initially installing a lithium-ion storage system,” explains Albert Engelbrecht, Director Solutions International at IBC SOLAR. The company is now accommodating this request with the new service packages.

“The “Take-Care packages” help our partners with the planning, installation and maintenance of storage solutions and offer them important added value. The packages make it possible for our partners to implement the systems quickly and reliably and also ensure satisfied customers,” adds Engelbrecht. The customer decides which “Take-Care package” is the right one. Three versions are available “Essential”, “Empowering” and “Ensuring”.

The “Essential” basic package is also the basis for the two other packages. It includes an extensive pre-consultation session with technical pre-selection and sizing of the storage system. Fundamental questions about the application and expectations of the system will be resolved. It is important here to determine whether only the self-consumption needs to be increased or whether the storage system should also provide an emergency power supply.  The “Empowering” package involves IBC SOLAR also providing support with an extensive system design, circuit diagrams and parts lists as well as telephone support to help put the system into operation.

The “Ensuring” premium package also includes on-site support with a handover report and an optional workshop for service and maintenance work. IBC SOLAR has been active in the photovoltaic and battery storage sector for more than 35 years. The international partners will benefit from the company's years of experience in the storage segment with the new “Take-Care packages”. 

About IBC SOLAR
IBC SOLAR is a leading global provider of photovoltaic and energy storage solutions and services. The company offers complete systems and covers the entire product range from planning to the turnkey handover of photovoltaic systems. The product range comprises solar parks, self-consumption systems for commercial enterprises and private households, off-grid photovoltaic systems and diesel hybrid solutions.

As a project developer and general contractor, IBC SOLAR implements and markets major solar projects worldwide. The manufacturer-independent system house guarantees the highest quality for all projects and has currently implemented photovoltaic systems with an output of over 3 gigawatts worldwide. IBC SOLAR works with a close network of Premium Partners and supports them with their own software tools for planning and designing grid-connected systems including storage systems. IBC SOLAR offers customised packages for energy providers, municipal utilities and providers of photovoltaic solutions.

The company ensure the best possible output of solar parks through technical management and monitoring. IBC SOLAR was founded by Udo Möhrstedt in Bad Staffelstein in 1982 who has managed the company as the Chairman of the Executive Board to date. The system house is a pioneer of the energy turnaround in Germany and is especially committed to energy cooperatives with its own planned public solar parks. The company is represented internationally with numerous regional companies, sales offices and partner companies in more than 30 countries.

Southern Africa, May 23, 2017

Leading engineering and construction company SENER, as part of the consortium for the turnkey construction of the 100MW Kathu Solar Park Complex, has been judged as having delivered “The Deal of the Year” at the fourth edition of the African Utility Week Power Awards. The event took place on Wednesday 17 May 2017, in Cape Town, South Africa. SENER was also awarded, ‘’Large Scale Renewable Energy Project,’’ for Bokpoort CSP Power Plant, ACWA Power, South Africa. 

The African Utility Power Industry Awards is the leading platform to recognize, reward and celebrate the success of Africa’s power and water sectors during 2016/17. SENER is part of the consortium that will be providing the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the power plant at Kathu Solar Park. This is a concentrated solar power (CSP) project that includes the second-generation SENERtrough2® parabolic trough technology, specifically designed and patented by SENER.  “We are proud of these awards, which are a testament to the skills that have been brought to the project by the consortiums for both the Kath Solar park and the Bokpoort concentrated solar plant,” says Siyabonga Mbanjwa, Southern Africa Regional MD. “Kathu is equipped with a molten salt heat storage system that allows it to supply thermal power for 4.5 hours, thus extending its operational capacity even after sundown. Kathu will supply enough power to meet the electricity demand of 150,000 homes.’’ 

Construction on the unit began in May 2016, and it is expected to be completed in the second quarter/half of 2018. During this phase, around 1,200 jobs will be created, approximately 36% of which will be held by locals. In addition to this, the Kathu Solar Park is expected to save six million tons of CO2 over 20 years, and it will foster more local economic development through several project. These include a fund for the local community that will benefit the area around the municipality of John Taolo Gaetsewe in Northern Cape, in addition to subcontracting other services to local businesses. The new concentrated solar plant at Bokpoort is already in operation and has a gross capacity of 55 MW. It uses SENERtrough® parabolic trough collector technology with a 1,300 MWht system of two energy storage tanks (TES - Thermal Energy Storage) using molten salts that provide 9.3 hours of operation. 

About SENER is a private engineering and technology group founded in 1956. It seeks to offer its clients the most advanced technological solutions and enjoys international recognition thanks to its independence and its commitment to innovation and quality.SENER has a workforce of near 6,000 professionals distributed across its offices in Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, South Korea, Chile, China, Colombia, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, the United States, India, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom. The group’s turnover exceeds 1.305 billion Euros (2014 data).  SENER engages in the specific activities of Engineering and Construction. It also has industrial holdings in companies involved in Aeronautics, as well as in the field of Energy and Environment. In the area of Engineering and Construction, SENER has become a world leader in Aerospace, Infrastructures and Transport, Power, Oil & Gas, and Marine. In 2016, SENER will be celebrating its 60th anniversary with a long track record of projects, international experience and a team comprised of thousands of professionals who are the co-creators of the innovations that have marked its past and will shape its future.     

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South African regional company of the German photovoltaic system provider records initial successes in the distribution and project business

Cape Town, 09 May 2017 – IBC SOLAR AG, a global leader in photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage, has been active since January in the growth market of South Africa with its own regional company. Initial projects all over the country have already been successfully realised. From 16 to 18 May, IBC SOLAR South Africa (Pty) Ltd. will be showcasing its products at African Utility Week in Cape Town, one of the leading trade fairs for the African energy industry, where IBC SOLAR will exclusively launch the new SMA Sunny Boy Generation.

IBC SOLAR has been working together exclusively with its partner maxx | solar energy (Pty) Ltd. in the South African market since 2014. The two companies formed the new company IBC SOLAR South Africa (Pty) Ltd. based in Cape Town in January 2017. IBC SOLAR South Africa now offers its customers a perfect combination: over 35 years' experience of planning and realising PV systems of all sizes, together with an established partner that is familiar with the South African market and has access to a strong network of highly trained PV installers in South Africa.

The Management Board of IBC SOLAR South Africa consists of Albert Engelbrecht (IBC SOLAR AG) and Dieter Ortmann (maxx | solar energy). Locally, General Manager Daniel Haitzler is in charge of the regional company. Together with his team of four people at the Cape Town headquarters and Johannesburg, they are striving to a continuing market success.

“The South African PV market has substantial growth potential. Above all, there is a great need for self-consumption and storage systems for private households and the commercial sector,” says Daniel Haitzler. “In South Africa, we are taking a solution-oriented approach. Instability of the electricity supply and rising power costs are very challenging for private persons and companies alike. That's where we come in. We analyse, advise and offer customers a solution that meets their individual needs, which might be a diesel hybrid, off-grid or storage system.”

At the African Utility Week from 16 to 18 May, visitors to IBC SOLAR (Hall 1, German Pavilion, Stand B7-2) can find out more about the options for energy supply with solar power in South Africa.

Mayor Patricia de Lille and Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee, Freestate of Thuringia, Germany inaugurated today themaxx-solar academy in cooperation with SARETEC

The maxx-solar academy was established in 2011 by the German Solar Energy Society DGS and the maxx I solar energy PTY Ltd. Since than more than 1500 engineers, architects, craftsmen andinterested citizens have been taking part in the maxx-academy courses in Africa. The South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) is the first national renewable energy technology centre in South Africa and has been established at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology(CPUT). maxx I solar academy and SARETEC unites the objective to pave the way for a sustainable use of solar power by education. After a first meeting end of 2015, both partners ratified their cooperation with an MOU signed in April 2016. Mayor Patricia de Lille and Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee, Freestate of Thuringia, Germany officially inaugurated the maxx I solar academy CapeTown in cooperation with SARETEC on 10 November 2016.

The maxx I solar academy, Africa´s Premier Training Institute on Solar Power acts as non-profit training center for solar energy. It was established in 2011 by the German Solar Energy Society DGS and the maxx solar energy PTY Ltd. South Africa. Since then more than 1500 engineers, architects, craftsmen and interested citizens have been taking part in the maxx-academy and DGS courses in Africa. Our fast grow is only possible due to great local partners. All maxx-solar academy courses are centrally managed and quality assured by the maxx-solar academy team. However the single academies are operated by local partners. Presently we have 5 academies in South Africa in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Upington.

The maxx-solar academy in Cape Town was established 2012. Since then maxx was looking for a partner with similar objectives as maxx. With SARETEC we found a new home for our academy in Cape Town. The South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) is the first national renewable energy technology centre in South Africa and has been established at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) - Bellville campus, Cape Town, South Africa. SARETEC offers specialized industry-related and accredited training for the entire renewable energy (RE) industry along with tailored short courses and workshops. This new technology centre is the perfect location to offer the maxx-solar academy trainings. SARETEC’s workshops are equipped with mock roofs and different demo photovoltaic systems which allow the maxx I solar academy to offer the hands-on training which is needed to train the future installers in state of the art installation, operation and maintenance of embedded generation PV systems.

CPUT, SARETEC and maxx signed the MOU to operate the maxx-solar academy Cape Town in cooperation with SARETEC in 2016. First training courses were already offered in 2016, but Mayor Patricia de Lille and Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee, Freestate of Thuringia, Germany gave us the honour to officially inaugurate the maxx-solar academy in cooperation with SARETEC on the 10th of November. Patricia de Lille said the “training institutes like the maxx I solar academy are an important to help the City of Cape Town's green development”. The origin of the maxx I solar academy is in in the Freestate of Thuriniga in Germany. The first time that Minister Tiefensee saw the engagement of maxx I solar in South Africa was during his first mission to South Africa in 2015. He saw that even a small company as maxx I solar can play an important role in building up one market segment, such as maxx I solar plays with his training academy in the photovoltaic sector. Antje Klauss-Vorreiter, director of the maxx I solar academy, presented the development of the academy during the last 5 years. She said that “in 2011 we came as a Germans training provider to South Africa, today we are a South African training academy with mainly South African Trainers.” The training programme of the maxx I solar academy is dynamic. Every year the academy reworks the training programme to follow the fast market development. The trainings courses are accredited internationally by the German Solar Energy Society DGS and locally by SAIEE. Participants will be awarded with CPD points.

The first training in 2017 we offer in March. The so called SuperSolarSchool is a one week intensive course where the participants learn how to start or professionalise their solar power business in only one week. Trainers with practical experience train the design of embedded generation system and the proper installation. All our alumni become part of the maxx I solar alumni network. Maxx offers its alumni’s frequent network meetings, access to latest market development including new technologies and even consultants with their first projects.

Maxx I solar academy – More than only Training!

maxx I solar energy PTY Ltd.

The maxx | solar energy group with headquarters in Thuringia, Germany provides its customers with all services related to photovoltaics. Through maxx | solar energy PTY Ltd., the maxx group extended its presence to South Africa in 2011. The service range of maxx | solar energy PTY Ltd. includes training, wholesale and consulting. As the South African Premium Partner of the German PV system integrator IBC SOLAR, we stand for the highest quality standards in wholesale of photovoltaic technology. Our maxx-solar academy is Africa´s Premier Training Institute on Solar Power. It was established in 2011 by the German Solar Energy Society DGS and the maxx group. Since 2011, hundreds of engineers, architects and craftsmen have been taking part in our trainings and many of them now work as certified maxx I team installers.