Why is the top solar testing facility not in SA?

[kaspaas]

See http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=31&art_id=nw20071102183510928C547928

The top solar testing facility is in lack of sunshine Germany.

Germany is the largest market for solar panels, followed by Japan.

 

[bwana]

Why should it be in SA? What's the local market like for it?

 

[bodhi]

Better research facilities than here in South Africa ?

 

[HavocXphere]

The Germans figure, if they can make it work there then it will work anywhere I guess.

Plus they have more sunshine there than you think, especially in the last 5 years (Record temps last summer like 30+ with weeks of sunshine).

 

[Inertia]

Eskom plans to build the largest solar electricity farm in the world in the next few years. The largest currently is in California.

 

[morebroadband]

Eskom plans to build the largest solar electricity farm in the world in the next few years. The largest currently is in California.

Where did you get this info from?

 

[morebroadband]

As far as I know Suntech (Chinese Company with offices in Silicon Valley and 4000 global employees) is the largest Solar Module Manufacturer in the world,

BP, Shell and Sanyo are also very large manufacturers, and Seimens is soon to be a very large player with the rights to the new technologies developed at RAU.

 

[TooFastTim]

Escom have many grand plans. Problem is that there aren't enough people left to implement them.

 

[orin76]

Eskom plans to build the largest solar electricity farm in the world in the next few years. The largest currently is in California.

I seriously doubt that. Source anyone?

 

[Syndyre]

Isn't Siemens already quite a major player?

 

[Syndyre]

I seriously doubt that. Source anyone?

Me too, they seem to be focusing on nuke power. IBIWISI.

 

[Tassidar]

I was under the impression that thy ESKOM was intent on not providing power.

 

[vespax]

Heard Eskom is planning a windfarm in PE somewhere... Although I have my doubts on that as well.

 

[antowan]

Makes perfect sense. To test solar panels, test them where the sun is crappy so that you make sure they function even in low light....

 

[McSack]

it also helps to develop and test technology where the best engineers are

Deutsche Uber Alles!