Page 24 - UKZN Foundation AR 2024

Van der Westhuizen’s work focuses on leadership building for entrepreneurial ecosystems and fostering community engagement to create a substantial impact both within and beyond the involved universities. Her efforts emphasise the importance of integrating youth entrepreneurship into the innovation process.
She said a robust, community-engaged ecosystem relied on diverse role players, each contributing distinct expertise and an innovative mindset.
Said Davies: ‘A key element of the project will be developing effective end-of-life treatment to minimise waste and maximise the circular flow of materials through reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of solar modules.’
Martincigh highlighted that Africa was abundantly blessed with solar radiation which needed to be taken full advantage of while it also had the required biomass that could be incorporated into the PV solar cells, making them more sustainable. Currently, silicon is used extensively as our solar cell material; however, silicon is relatively expensive, involves high energy intensity and is expensive to produce,’ she said.
‘In this project, materials will be used with the emerging perovskite technology, costing less compared to manufacturing solar as well as using less energy. There will also be the incorporation of shaped carbon nanomaterials which will be produced sustainably from renewable lignocellulosic biomass - which Africa has an abundance of - and incorporated with perovskite in solar cell fabrication.
‘In conclusion, the success of initiatives such as REACH-PSM underscores the critical importance of fostering partnerships and cultivating an inclusive, sustainable ecosystem. By bringing together diverse expertise, innovative solutions, and engaging with the community, we can drive impactful advancements in renewable energy and create lasting benefits for communities across Africa and beyond,’ said Van der Westhuizen.
The symposium was attended by delegates from the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Spain, India, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and Tanzania.
A key element of the project will
be developing effective end-of-life treatment to minimise waste and maximise the circular flow of materials through reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of solar modules –
Professor Matthew Davies.
Perovskites are a family of materials that have shown potential for high performance and low production costs in solar cells.
Perovskite technology, particularly in the context of solar cells, offers promising advancements in photovoltaic technology. It utilizes a unique class of crystalline materials known as perovskites, which have shown potential for high efficiency, low production costs, and flexible applications. While still in development, perovskite solar cells are being explored for their ability to potentially replace traditional silicon-based solar panels.
22 UKZN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2024