South African Photovoltaic Industry Association - Sapvia

11/08/2026

📢 Speaker Announcement | Sarah Malm

We are pleased to announce Sarah Malm, Executive Director of GOGLA , as a featured speaker at the launch of SAPVIA’s Universal Access Working Group (UAWG) on 13 August 2026.

Sarah will unpack “Deploying Microgrid Capabilities into Underserved Urban, Township and Rural Areas Across South Africa,” exploring how microgrid solutions can help expand energy access and deliver reliable, affordable energy to communities across the country. ☀️

Join the conversation as we launch the Universal Access Working Group — register today!

📅 13 August 2026
🕚 12:30 – 14:30
💻 Virtual | Microsoft Teams

https://lnkd.in/d8XATwGM

09/08/2026

Happy Women’s Day from SAPVIA!

Today, we celebrate every woman, the women who lead from the front, the women working behind the scenes, the women building careers, businesses and communities, and the women creating possibilities for those who come next.

Your strength. Your ideas. Your resilience. Your ambition. Your impact matters.

As we celebrate Women’s Day, we honour the women shaping our industry, our workplaces, our homes and our communities and recognise the difference women make every single day.

Here’s to every woman, every journey, and every contribution.
Today, we celebrate you.

07/08/2026

Webinar: Off the Grid, On the Map | Launch of the Universal Access Working Group

You're invited to the official launch of SAPVIA's Universal Access Working Group (UAWG).

Join industry leaders, government, development partners and other key stakeholders as we explore how off-grid and distributed solar can help close South Africa's energy access gap. This webinar will examine global best practices, enabling policy frameworks and collaborative solutions to expand access to clean, reliable and affordable electricity.

The discussion will cover:
☀️ The role of off-grid and distributed solar in achieving universal energy access
🌍 International policy frameworks and global best practices
🤝 Collaboration between industry, government and development partners
⚡ Practical pathways to scaling clean, affordable electricity access across South Africa

Who should attend?
✔️ SAPVIA members (EPCs, IPPs and manufacturers)
✔️ Development finance institutions (DFIs)
✔️ Municipalities and government representatives
✔️ NGOs and policy researchers
✔️ Anyone committed to advancing universal energy access through solar PV

Register today and be part of the conversation shaping South Africa's energy future.

Event details:
📅 13 August 2026
🕚 12:30 – 14:30
💻 Virtual | Microsoft Teams

Register here: https://app.glueup.com/event/off-the-grid-on-the-map-unlocking-universal-solar-access-190386/

South Africa's solar PV sector has grown significantly through utility-scale projects and strong demand in the commercial, industrial, and residential markets. However, as the national grid has stabilised and load-shedding has eased, the residential market has begun to normalise, leading to reduced....

06/08/2026

Industry Events: Solar Insights South Africa | 19 August 2026 | Cape Town

GameChange Energy is hosting Solar Insights, an exclusive technical workshop exploring the design, engineering and technology considerations that influence long-term project performance.

Topics include:
· Wind Direction: Hail, Cyclones and Thunderstorms
· Digitalization Across Design, Ex*****on and Operations
· Unlocking Maximum Energy from Solar Projects
· Design Decisions for Long-Term Performance

This year's programme features an outstanding line-up of speakers representing CPP Wind Engineering Consultants, Raptor Maps, ASMASOL Consult, The SOLA Group, Zutari | Southern Africa, iTOO Special Risks (Pty) Ltd, PV-Insights, GameChange Energy and other organisations, offering a range of perspectives from across the industry.

📅 Wednesday, 19 August 2026
🕑 11:00 - 16:00, followed by Cocktail Reception
📍 Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town

To reserve a spot, reach out to Samantha Futcher at [email protected]

06/08/2026

In the news: Energize has featured our recent press release on SAPVIA and NTCSA's collaboration to advance renewable curtailment.

The coverage highlights the importance of collaborative efforts to unlock grid capacity and support South Africa's growing renewable energy sector.

Read the full article: https://www.energize.co.za/article/sapvia-ntcsa-tackle-renewable-curtailment

Measures to enable South Africa’s power system to absorb more daytime renewable generation will be investigated through monthly engagements between…

05/08/2026

The 2026 energyDRIVE Mpumalanga route continues! 🚍☀️

Today, we are visiting Sofunda Secondary School and Sozama Secondary School, bringing the excitement of renewable energy education, interactive learning, and green career inspiration to more learners.

As the journey moves from one school to the next, we continue to create spaces where young minds can explore the possibilities of renewable energy, discover the potential of solar PV, and see themselves as part of South Africa’s clean energy future.

Every stop adds a new spark of curiosity, every conversation plants a seed of possibility, and every learner reached brings us one step closer to a skilled and empowered green workforce.

The road continues… and so does the mission to inspire the next generation of renewable energy leaders. 🌱🇿🇦

04/08/2026

SAPVIA is a proud partner of Solar & Storage Live Cape Townrage Live Cape Town 2026, and we're excited to announce that our CEO, Dr. Rethabile Melamu, PhD, will be part of an exceptional line-up of industry leaders at this year's event.

Dr. Melamu will share insights on the policies, partnerships, investment, and innovation driving the growth of solar PV, while exploring the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the country's energy transition.

📍 Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)
📅 20–21 October 2026

We'd love to see our SAPVIA members there! Connect with industry leaders, discover the latest innovations, exchange ideas, and be part of the conversations shaping the future of solar PV.

🎟️ Register for your FREE ticket: https://lnkd.in/dcxUrCnB

Let's connect. Let's collaborate. Let's shape the future of solar—together. See you in Cape Town! ☀️

03/08/2026

SAPVIA is a proud partner of the 2026 energyDRIVE Programme—a flagship renewable energy education and awareness initiative delivered through a strategic partnership between the Sawea - South African Wind Energy Association.n (SAWEA) and the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA).

Today, we're at KwaZamokuhle Secondary School and Alex Benjamin Secondary School as part of the Mpumalanga route, engaging learners through interactive educational experiences that promote sustainable development, renewable energy awareness, and the exciting career opportunities available within South Africa's growing green economy.

By inspiring the next generation with knowledge about clean energy and the solar PV sector, we're helping to develop the skilled workforce needed to accelerate South Africa's energy transition.

Follow our journey as we take this initiative to more schools, inspiring the next generation of renewable energy leaders and empowering young minds to shape a more sustainable future. 🌱🇿🇦

03/08/2026

As SAPVIA's Grid Access Working Group enters a new chapter, we would like to recognise one leader while welcoming another.

A huge thank you to Wayne Smith for your dedication and service as Deputy Chairperson of SAPVIA's Grid Access Working Group.

Your leadership, expertise and commitment have made a meaningful contribution to the Working Group and to the advancement of South Africa's solar PV sector. We sincerely appreciate your valuable service and wish you every success in your future endeavours.

At the same time, please join us in welcoming Dr Aviksha Mungar-Jackpersad (DPhil, MSc) as the new Deputy Chairperson of SAPVIA's Grid Access Working Group.

Bringing a unique combination of scientific expertise, financial insight and strategic thinking, Dr Mungar-Jackpersad will play an important role in supporting the Working Group's efforts to advance grid access and accelerate South Africa's solar PV sector.

We look forward to the leadership, expertise and fresh perspectives she will bring to the role.
Welcome to the SAPVIA leadership community, Dr Mungar-Jackpersad!

31/07/2026

We are pleased to share that Dr Rethabile Melamu, CEO of SAPVIA, will be speaking as a panelist at the NX Solar Forum in Cape Town on 4 August 2026.

Dr Melamu will join industry experts for a panel discussion on South Africa’s rapidly evolving solar landscape, focusing on the key drivers of growth, policy and regulatory developments, grid and transmission challenges, investment trends, technological advancements, and the collaboration required to accelerate the country’s energy transition.

As South Africa continues to expand its renewable energy capacity, these conversations are critical to shaping a resilient, competitive and sustainable solar PV industry.

If you’re attending the forum, don’t miss this insightful discussion with leaders shaping the future of solar energy in South Africa.

📍 The Westin, Cape Town
📅 4 August 2026