Solar Industry Body SAPVIA Elects New Board Heralding a New Dawn
South Africa’s leading member association for the promotion of solar PV, the SA Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) is stepping into a second decade of success with the election of a new board.
In a year packed with online meetings and events, SAPVIA’s Annual General Meeting was hosted virtually and brought together players from across the solar PV and renewables value chain.
SAPVIA this year celebrates 10 years of pushing boundaries in the renewables sector through proactive policy advocacy and lobbying efforts. The association has been at the forefront of transforming South Africa’s economy and energy sector.
The Board and Members have adapted to the rapidly changing industry and embedding best practice to create a world-leading renewables sector. The AGM on 18 May saw the election of three new Board Members to the 10-commissioner board.
The 2021 SAPVIA new Board Members are:
- Sunette Smith of Reatile Group,
- DeVilliers Botha of Solereff,
- Daniel Goldstuck of SOLA Group,
- Chanda Nxumalo of Harmattan Renewables (2nd term), and
- Richard Doyle of juwi Renewable Energies (2nd term).
Outgoing board members are Jo-Anne Dean, Boitumelo Kiepile and Vuyo Ntoi.
“We are so grateful for the continued support of the members and the willingness to commit time, energy and expertise to building the solar PV industry in South Africa.” says Niveshen Govender, Chief Operating Officer of SAPVIA.
These new board members will be joining the current Chairperson – Wido Schnabel of Canadian Solar, Rainer Nowak of Webber Wentzel, Norman Moyo of Distributed Power Africa, Frank Spencer of Bushveld Energy and Maloba Tshehla of ED platform to complete the 10-commissioner board.
SAPVIA’s growth over the past 10 years reflects the flourishing renewables sector and from just 6 members a decade ago, the Association now boasts 544 members across the solar PV value chain.
“Our ambition is to support and attract members who are as diverse as the industry itself. We have restructured our membership categories to promote inclusivity and diversity.
This is supported by our working groups, through which we are fostering networking and knowledge sharing that encourages participation of all industry players to address challenges facing the industry” Govender stated.
SAPVIA is now recognised as the go-to point of contact for all things solar PV. The recently launched PV Industry Jobs Report showed the increase in employment through solar PV and the future projection that could become a reality with the continued roll-out of renewable energy and solar PV across South Africa.
SAPVIA continues to evolve to meet the needs of members, demonstrated most clearly through programmes like the PV GreenCard programme, PV Professionals, PV Spotter and PV Marketplace.
These programmes support quality and safety in SSEG installation practices; enable information sharing and access to building opportunities for new entrants; feature installed projects across the country and showcase the best products and services to facilitate a localised marketplace that supports the South African economy.
“We have come a long way since our formation and as a body we are excited to step into this new chapter with a multitalented team steering us,” says Govender. “Our focus for the year ahead is navigating a post-covid economic recovery that has renewables and solar PV at its heart.”
The new board will serve a two-year term of office.
Source: esi-africa
