A year in review: SegenSolar’s 2022 highlights
It has been another fantastic year at SegenSolar.
Thanks to our ongoing partnerships with some of the world’s biggest names in solar, we have introduced several products to our portfolio and established footholds in new territories to help meet the changing energy needs of businesses and homeowners across South Africa.
This year also saw us ramp up our involvement in industry events, with our experts attending exhibitions and hosting PV training sessions to further our reach and help customers get the most out of their solar products.
As our gift to you this festive season, we have rounded up some of our highlights from the last 12 months!
Our achievements
Despite the economic turmoil that has impacted most companies worldwide, SegenSolar has emerged into the post-pandemic world stronger than ever.
Meeting the demand for clean energy
It has been another challenging year for the South African energy sector. Eskom recently declared a state of emergency for the national grid, with diesel stocks and funding running dangerously low and no end to power outages in sight.
The urgent need for alternative fuel supplies has been compounded by the climate crisis, which has prompted many African governments to invest in solar and wind power infrastructure to help meet renewable energy targets discussed in the recent COP27 conference.
To support the much-needed transition to solar power, we have worked hard this year to electrify more regions, providing reliable, cost-effective solutions and supporting local communities to help alleviate the impacts of rolling outages and disruption.
By supplying reliable PV products and education in all corners of the country, we hope to help even the remotest regions achieve energy independence.
Expanding our product offering
We kicked off 2022 with the launch of a brand-new warehouse in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), which helped us provide local service to even more parts of the country. This new site opening went hand in hand with our outreach efforts in South African Development Community (SADC) regions, where only around 32% of rural areas have access to electricity.
We also expanded our product portfolio with solutions from the PV industry’s best and brightest companies and manufacturers.
For example, early in the year, we introduced Solis’ all-new product range: the S5 inverters. This series of three-phase inverters boast impressive efficiencies and safety features and are ideal for larger commercial installations.
Soon after, we welcomed the KODAK Solar Products BL3.6 PV battery to cater to the residential market. Parallelable up to 15 units with a 1.5-hour discharge time, this small yet powerful 3.68 kWh battery is an affordable product perfect for expanding off-grid PV systems.
We also welcomed the new solar lighting products from Sun King™ — the Pico Plus and Pro 300, two solar lighting solutions with superior capabilities to traditional kerosene lamps.
Our customers will be pleased to learn that the best is yet to come, with even more exciting product launches to look forward to in 2023.
Welcoming the return of in-person events
This year, face-to-face events made a comeback, and SegenSolar has embraced new opportunities to connect with fellow industry peers and solar customers.
We were thrilled to meet several of our customers and manufacturing partners at The Solar Show Africa 2022, where we hosted some exciting events. Our Pre-Solar-Show Training Workshop saw Solis, Renusol, Pylontech and Canadian Solar provide up-to-date product information, and our VIP networking event allowed top solar professionals to continue discussing all the topics from the exhibition.
Due to the success of our online training events during the pandemic, we also continued to organise several in-person and virtual training seminars throughout the year. We hope to run more in the coming months to help installers get to grips with the latest PV products and solutions.
Our manufacturer partners
Some of our favourite PV manufacturers also had a hugely positive 2022, and we would like to commend them for yet another year of driving innovation in the solar market.
Solis
Solis has been at the forefront of several global solar events in 2022, including starring in The Solar Show in August, where the company was the headline sponsor for our dedicated Pre-Solar-Show Training Workshop. The Solis team also used the event to showcase the brand-new S5 range, which was very well-received by those in attendance.
In July, the manufacturer held a seminar for customers and guests in Gujarat, India. During the event, Solis presented its S5 inverters as a way to achieve the aims of the Gujarat Solar Power Policy 2021 and launched its Global Zero Carbon Pathway campaign to demonstrate its support for India’s new-energy industry.
Solis also attended the Solar Power Mexico exhibition in the Guanajuato region, Bajío, where the company revealed its plans to bring the next generation of six-series hybrid inverters to the country to help strengthen its smart solar energy storage systems.
Due to its ongoing commitment to excellence in the solar industry, Solis has been recognised by several respected authorities over the years — and 2022 was no different. For example, the manufacturer was named a winner in the ‘Green Leadership’ category at the esteemed Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) to acknowledge its sustainable and responsible business practices.
More recently, Solis was honoured in two categories at The Solar Future Awards 2022 — ‘Innovative Sustainability Project of the Year’ and ‘Company of the Year: Operations and Maintenance’. These achievements are a testament to the company’s dedication to shaping a brighter, more sustainable future for the global energy sector.
Pylontech
Pylontech’s innovative spirit has seen it go from strength to strength this year.
Representatives from the Pylontech team presented at our Pre-Solar-Show Training Workshop to an audience of customers and peers, and the company was also one of the kind sponsors of our post-show VIP networking event. Pylontech was involved in several other shows this year, including Solar & Storage Live 2022, Intersolar Europe 2022 and the Smarter E exhibition in Germany.
SegenSolar also collaborated with Pylontech on several training sessions this year, helping our customers get to know key products such as the Powercube batteries.
In other news, Pylontech announced a €704 million investment proposition for constructing an energy storage system (ESS) module research and development (R&D) and manufacturing base in Hefei, China. This new site will have a 10 GWh capacity and help to further Pylontech’s plans to bolster global energy storage, thanks to Hefei’s leading science and technology infrastructure.
This commitment to R&D contributed to another achievement for Pylontech earlier this year. In September, the manufacturer was named on the prestigious 2022 Forbes China 50 Most Innovative Companies list in the new energy field. Pylontech also earned a place in the MSCI China A Onshore Index, which demonstrates investor confidence in the company and cements its position as one of the most forward-thinking organisations in the country.
Renusol
This year, Renusol celebrated its 25th anniversary with several significant achievements.
For example, the manufacturer expanded its ETN-certified line, which includes two ranges we stock on the portal: the MetaSole+ and VarioSole+ systems. Gaining this mark of quality demonstrates a superior level of endurance against common causes of damage, meaning installers and customers can rest assured that they are receiving a high-quality, reliable product.
Renusol has also thrown itself into in-person events in 2022. Attending The Solar Show Africa and sponsoring our Pre-Solar-Show Training Workshop, where Renusol also led a presentation, the manufacturer helped South African installers become more familiar with its products.
In May, Renusol attended Intersolar 2022 — speaking with customers who wanted to learn more about the manufacturer’s latest product releases. The company also hosted a stand at Solar & Storage Live UK 2022 in October, which brought together over 4,000 attendees, 250 speakers and 150 exhibitors, providing the perfect space to network with other PV professionals and deliver valuable insights about Renusol’s extensive portfolio and plans for the future.
Some of the Renusol team also joined in the Renewable Energies World Race in France — a cycle competition that sees participants embark on a 5.5 km course alongside representatives from companies with a shared passion for renewable energy, embodying the joint race towards a brighter energy future!
SegenSolar would like to thank everyone involved in our growth this year. If you would like to get in on the action in 2023, log in or create a free account on our portal today.