This study examines the integration of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems into building design, with a focus on roof orientation and pitch as key drivers of efficiency. Using PVSOL modelling and Durban meteorological data, it evaluates the impact of tilt, azimuth, and irradiance on generation. Results show that north-facing roofs (0° azimuth) with 30°–40° pitch deliver optimal annual GTI, while seasonal tilt adjustment (40° winter, 10° summer) improves yield by 4.4

This study investigates the influence of banana fibre particle reinforcement on the fracture behaviour of biopolymer composites under Mode I loading using the J-integral approach. The fracture response was analysed for three distinct fibre particle sizes. A two-dimensional compact tension specimen was modelled and analysed using ABAQUS finite element software. For each particle size, six different initial crack lengths were considered. The results indicate that the biopolymer composite reinforced with 150 & micro;m particles exhibits the lowest J-integral values, whereas the 65 & micro;m reinforced composite shows higher J-integral values than the 300 & micro;m reinforced composite. This suggests that the 150 & micro;m reinforced biopolymer demonstrates superior resistance to fracture initiation, which is attributed to its higher Young's modulus. Furthermore, among the three composites investigated, the 150 & micro;m reinforced material also exhibits the lowest crack tip opening displacement (CTOD), indicating enhanced resistance to crack initiation. For all particle sizes, both the J-integral and CTOD increase with increasing initial crack length, while the stress level at locations away from the crack tip remains relatively stable. Overall, this study provides a comparative assessment of the fracture resistance of banana fibre particle-reinforced biopolymer composites, contributing to a better understanding of particle size effects on fracture performance.

The production of bio-polymer composites through the injection moulding process often results in defects that can compromise product quality, especially when optimal parameters are not used for new materials. This paper addresses this issue by using a design of experiment and engineering software to simulate and optimise two cavities of a plastic injection mould for producing a biopolymer composite reinforced with banana fibre and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The Taguchi L9 design of the experiment was employed to determine the optimal parameters, with each parameter simulated using the SolidWorks plastic injection to examine cavity filling, fibre degradation and sink marks. Three fibre particle sizes with different fibre aspect ratios were considered for simulation. The results showed that the temperature at the end of fill simulations was less than the degradation temperature of natural fibre. Moreover, the analysis using the Taguchi L9 alongside plastic flow simulation results, and the optimum parameters to produce a biopolymer composite were obtained. Specimens produced with these parameters exhibited good physical properties, as no sink marks or warpage were observed. The fibre aspect ratio plays an important role in the processing behaviour, mechanical properties, and final performance of biopolymer composites.

Extreme weather events like droughts, floods, heatwaves, and cyclones are increasingly linked to climate change, leading to fatalities, infrastructure damage, and the displacement of thousands. CO2 emissions primarily drive this climate change from burning fossil fuels. South Africa (SA), the highest CO2 emitter in Africa, heavily relies on coal, which accounts for nearly 85% of its emissions. However, SA also has significant but underdeveloped solar energy potential. Expanding solar PV is crucial for SA and other African nations to address energy shortages, reduce GHG emissions, enhance energy security, stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and achieve long-term cost savings. The study includes a computational modelling case study to evaluate PV potential and system performance, comparing onshore and offshore scenarios. It reports a Global Tilted Irradiance (GTI) of 1866 kWh/m² for land-based PV (LPV) and 1797 kWh/m² for FPV, with a Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) of $0.04612/kWh for LPV and $0.05664/kWh for FPV, respectively. The results suggest that the 10-kWp LPV system slightly outperforms the FPV system, though both are within acceptable performance ranges because of harsher offshore conditions. The paper proposes hybrid RE systems including FPV to improve SA's grid stability and efficiency.

This study examines the feasibility of integrating enhanced rooftop PV systems into low-cost building designs by optimizing roof pitch angles and employing two-sided gable PV module mounting. Computational modelling was used to evaluate the impact of roof pitch angles on PV potential and system performance. Key meteorological parameters at the location (6.52 degrees latitude, 6.29972 degrees longitude) include monthly irradiance of 140-165 kWh/m2, an annual GHI of 1926.01 kWh/m2, and an average temperature of 25.9 degrees C. While the theoretical optimal tilt for maximum energy production at this location is 5.67 degrees (calculated as 6.52 degrees*0.87), practical considerations favour a roof pitch 25 degrees. Among pitch angles tested (from 25 degrees to 45 degrees), 25 degrees provided the minimum area required to accommodate 80 PV panels (300 W each), achieving a system capacity of 24 kW. At this tilt, the PV modules received 1778.03 kWh/m2/year, slightly less than the 1899.13 kWh/m2/year at the theoretical tilt, but sufficient for practical implementation. In two-sided gable mounting, the south-facing roof receives higher global radiation (1845.93 kWh/m2) compared to the north-facing roof (1710.12 kWh/m2), resulting in 6.8 % higher annual energy generation. The performance ratios (PR) of the south- and north-facing roofs are 86.09 % and 87.04 %, respectively, with the north-facing roof demonstrating slightly better efficiency due to favourable operating conditions. This highlights the importance of roof orientation and pitch in optimizing PV system performance for low-cost building integration.

This research work provides concise insights into fossil fuel consumption challenges, and the factors contributing to global warming, and evaluates the significance of photovoltaic (PV) materials in achieving net-zero-CO2 emissions. The article categorizes constraints in the development of PV cells into four main areas: technical factors, leadership impact, political instability, and financial aspects. Primarily, the study delves into technical factors, focusing on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and power density of PV cells. Theoretically, approximately 67% of solar energy is dissipated in various forms:- 47% as heat, 18% as photons, and 2% in local combination loss. Commercially available mono-crystalline silicon (c-Si) and polycrystalline silicon (poly-c-Si) PV cells typically demonstrate a range of PCEs between 15%-22% and 13%18%, respectively, presenting an efficiency considerably lower than the potential maximum of 100%. The study highlights organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) as promising third-generation PV modules due to their relatively high power conversion efficiency (HPCE) and eco-friendly attributes. However, their commercial feasibility is under scrutiny owing to constraints such as a limited lifespan, high production costs, and challenges in mass production. Ongoing research and development (R&D) in PV cell technologies aim to enhance PCE and power density, establish cost-effective production methods, and create more reliable and sustainable supply chains. Additionally, the study explores the role of nanotechnology in developing high- power conversion efficiency cells, identifies research gaps and priorities in engineered organic material PV cells, and discusses the potential of OPVs in the R&D of high-efficiency, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly PV cells.

This study emphasizes the critical role of renewable energy in addressing climate change challenges, particularly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights the central importance of solar photovoltaic systems. While recognizing South Africa’s progress in renewable energy deployment, the study notes that substantial efforts are still needed to meet the country’s renewable energy targets. The study’s primary aim is to enhance the understanding and deployment of solar photovoltaic systems by critically examining the photovoltaic potential and performance of different sites. To achieve this, two scenarios—land photovoltaic and floating photovoltaic systems—were considered, focusing on hypothetical 10 MWp-installed capacity systems. The results indicate that the 10-MWp land photovoltaic system has a global tilted irradiance of 2184.7 kWh/m2, an annual total output of 18 GWh, and an average yearly performance ratio of 81

In 2022, South Africa experienced a total of 3776 hours of power outages, commonly known as load shedding. This had a significant economic impact, with estimates from the South African Reserve Bank suggesting a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) loss ranging from 0.7% to 3.2%. To address this issue, various initiatives are currently being implemented, including the implementation of renewable energy projects, effective maintenance of existing infrastructure, and a proposal to introduce smart meters to address challenges related to demand-side management (DSM). The electricity market in South Africa is transforming, and this is leading to the emergence of potential technologies that can help address the aforementioned challenges. One such technology is the Home Energy Management System (HEMS). This paper surveys this technology and assesses its potential effectiveness in the South African context.

The optimal design of laminated composite and nanocomposite (LCNC) structures stands at the forefront of materials engineering, offering the potential to revolutionize the development of advanced materials with superior mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. By tailoring LCNC structures to meet specific performance requirements, optimizing material usage, and exploring innovative design approaches, engineers can create lighter, more efficient, and environmentally friendly structures that excel in diverse applications. Many industries such as automotive, aerospace, and construction are already using composite and nanocomposite materials to develop high-strength and lightweight structures. Thus, this survey delves into evolutionary optimization techniques as powerful tools for achieving optimal configurations in LCNC structures, highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate technique for a given optimization problem. A strict selection method was employed to come up with this review paper, and only reputable literary sources were used. Common design optimization problems such as buckling load, vibration, and weight & cost minimization are covered.Received: 16 July 2024 Accepted: 24 August 2024 Published: 05 September 2024

In the oil and gas industry, the demand for alternative materials is rising due to corrosion and the desire to reduce costs through weight reduction. Polymer composites are gaining attention for their corrosion resistance, favourable strength-to-weight ratio, and cost-effectiveness. The biopolymer composite is projected to have an output worth $4.95 billion between 2021 and 2025 and growth at a 5.38% compound annual growth rate. This review focuses on exploring the potential of natural fibres as reinforcement for biofibre polymer composite pipes in oil and gas, highlighting their ecofriendliness, biodegradability, and cost-efficiency. The paper assesses biopolymer composite pipes’ development, challenges, and applications, particularly those using continuous basalt and banana fibres. While basalt fibre has found field applications, banana fibre-reinforced polymer composites are still in the early research stages. Despite significant oil and gas industry players already endorsing polymer composites, further research is needed for biopolymer composites to address challenges like compatibility, environmental impact, standardisation, long-term durability, production processes, and regulatory acceptance. Advancing biocomposite research and exploring new research opportunities are essential for engineering advancements and advanced materials.

This study systematically evaluates Phototovoltaic (PV) system energy losses and performance quality across selected locations in sub-Saharan African (SSA). Utilising a computational model for a hypothetical 10 kWp crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV system, the research categorises energy losses into irradiance (kWh/m²) and electricity production (kWh/kWp). Key contributors to irradiance losses include angular reflectivity, dirt, dust, and soiling, while inverter and radiation conversion, spectral correction, transformer and cabling, and mismatch are identified as main sources of PV system energy losses. Tilt and orientation impact the transformation of Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) into Global Tilted Irradiance (GTI), with the highest gain in Pretoria (215.4 kWh/m²) and the least in Kinshasa (3.6 kWh/m²). The study notes the highest PV system energy loss in Pretoria (346.2 kWh/kWp) and the least in Kinshasa (267.4 kWh/kWp). Despite variations in energy loss sources, the cumulative degradation rate is reported as 12.8% for all locations over a 25-year lifespan. The annual average performance ratio (PR) and capacity factor (CF) range from 77.4%/19.7% in Pretoria to 77.4%/15.6% in Kinshasa. Ambient conditions, including wind speed, relative humidity, precipitation, and temperature, are identified as key factors influencing solar irradiance and PV system losses. The study suggests preventive measures such as optimal system design, the use of bypass diodes, and high-quality PV panels.

Despite the successes recorded over the years, photovoltaic (PV) cells’ power conversion efficiency (PCE) of commercially available crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV panels still hovers between 10 and 21%. For optimal performance at 17–21% PCE, certain factors need to be understood and addressed. This study estimates the solar PV potential of selected cities across Africa, using computational modelling. The selected sites’ cities are Abuja, Addis Ababa, Kinshasa, Pretoria, and Tripoli. Sites’ coordinate systems will be exploited to generate data from meteorological databases of the selected locations needed for the PV potential assessment. This information coupled with PV system configuration will be used as inputs for PV design and simulation. The PV potential of the selected location will be extracted from the resulting simulation reports in terms of irradiance, possible power output generation, performance ratio (PR) and capacity factor (CF). The study results and analysis as extracted from the reports of the modelled hypothetical 10-kWhp c-Si rooftop PV systems at the selected sited locations, show that—Pretoria possesses the highest GTI (2234.4 kWh/m 2 ) and the lowest GTI (1766.7 kWh/m 2 ) was observed in Kinshasa; Pretoria has the highest PV power output (PVOUT) (17.292 MWh/), and the least (13.678 MWh) in Kinshasa; the highest PR (77.4%) was observed in Kinshasa and Pretoria and the lowest PR (76.4%) in Tripoli; Pretoria and Kinshasa recorded the highest CF (19.7%) and lowest CF (15.6%), respectively. The results indicate that the examined locations are technically viable for the PV system schemes, and therefore, massive deployment of this technology in these areas is advised.

This work deploys a configured hypothetical 6-kWp capacity PV system, with mounted rooftop panels, to examine the performance of a PV system, corresponding to different (a) PV cell technologies; (b) ambient temperatures. The first (crystalline silicon (c-Si)) and second (copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)) generations of PV cells have been chosen for this study. A range of ambient temperatures, −10 °C to 50 °C, at an interval of 5 °C, will be used to investigate the influence of temperature on PV system performance, using the chosen PV cells. A PV design and simulation software, PVsyst, was deployed based on optimisation considerations. It was observed from the report that: the CIGS PV cell produced the highest energy at standard tests and conditions (STC) and elevated temperature; the Si mono and polycrystalline yielded the same amount of energy; the CIGS and Si monocrystalline cells PV have the highest and lowest PR, respectively.

The grossly untapped hydro potential in the global south is attributed to the inadequate technical personnel; as one of the main factors limiting the design and manufacturing of efficient small hydropower (SHP) turbine plants. The technical personnel and production facilities available in the global south, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), cannot support the development of these components sufficiently. The study presents the CFT design process in a clearer and simplified manner. To bridge the technical knowledge gap, the study presents an improved SHP system design procedure through a partly isolated-based design sequence. The entire design process of the SHP turbine, with a focus on crossflow turbine (CFT), was divided into sections, subsections, and parts. The study presents connections between geometry, operation, and functionality of design parameters for CFT components, such as runner, shaft, pulley, and belt graphically and in tabular forms.

Background Technology is deployed to take the advantage of the ultimate energy from the sun (solar energy) to be used as heat or clean electricity. This energy is classified as “sustainable energy” or “renewable energy” because it requires a short period to naturally replenish the used energy. The application of solar energy involves the conversion of the natural energy resource into a usable form, either as heat or as electricity. The device consists of solar cells made from semiconductor materials, such as silicon, cadmium telluride, gallium arsenide, and so on. Solar potential is both location- and climate-dependent; it is characterised by low energy intensity and intermittency, which limit its application; an improvement in photovoltaic (PV) system performance will facilitate more deployment of the clean electricity system. Therefore, this study provides PV potential and system information required for reliable and optimised solar PV systems at chosen locations. This work uses a 5-stage solar PV system assessment and system performance evaluation utilising Solargis Prospect software. The PV potential and system performance of nine selected site locations in South Africa was conducted using this method. The nine PV site locations are Bloemfontein (Free State), Germiston (Gauteng), Mahikeng (North-West), Mbombela (Mpumalanga), Musgrave (Kwazulu-Natal), Musina (Limpopo), Port Nolloth (Northern Cape), Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape), and Worcester (Western Cape). Result The results of the study were categorised into PV meteorological and system performance parameters as follows. Photovoltaic meteorological parameters—the site in Mahikeng has the highest global horizontal irradiance (GHI), 2156 kWh/m 2 , and a corresponding specific PV power output (1819.3 kWh/kWp), closely followed by Bloemfontein (2111.5 kWh/m 2 , 1819.4 kWh/kWp) and Port Nolloth (2003.2 kWh/m 2 , 1820.5 kWh/kWp). The lowest GHI (1645.1 kWh/m 2 ) and specific PV power output (1436.6 kWh/kWp) were recorded in Musgrave. Photovoltaic system performance parameters—the range of performance ratio (PR) between 75.8 and 77.7% was reported across the nine sites. This ratio met the acceptable benchmark of PR. The highest specific PV power output loss, 118.8 kWh/kWp, was obtained at sites in Bloemfontein, Mahikeng, and Port Nolloth, while the lowest, 93.8 kWh/kWp, was in Musgrave. Conclusions The results of the solar PV potential assessment and the evaluation of PV systems performance in the chosen sites across the nine provinces of South Africa show huge PV potential and energy yield. From the results, it was observed that the range of the yearly average of: (1) GHI among the sites is 1645.1–2156 kWh/m 2 ; (2) direct normal irradiation among the sites is 1785.3–2559.3 kWh/m 2 ; (3) diffuse horizontal irradiation among the sites is 512.5–686kWh/m 2 ; (4) global tilted irradiation among the sites is 1849.2–2397.1 kWh/m 2 ; (5) the temperature (TEMP) among the sites is 16–23 °C; (6) specific PV power output (PVOUT specific) among the sites is 1436.6–1820.5 kWh/kWp; (7) total PV power output (PVOUT total) among the sites is 14.366–2397.1 MWh; and (8) the performance ratio among the sites is 75.8–77.7%. Based on the solar resource and performance results of the PV system obtained, the deployment of monocrystalline solar PV technology in all the considered sites across South Africa is technically viable.

The technical challenges that make solar photovoltaic (PV) less suitable for some applications include weather conditions, low energy densities, and low conversion efficiency. However, the effects of these shortcomings can be limited through a 3-stage solar PV system assessment and performance evaluation process in this study. The system installation is on geographical coordinate -29.85°, 031.00° at Musgrave, Berea, Durban, South Africa. Four solar PV assessment, design, and simulation software applications (PV*SOL, SOLARGIS Prospect and pvPlanner, and PVsyst) were deployed. Based on the simulation reports obtained from the four software applications used, the following estimates of solar potential assessment parameters were obtained - global tilted irradiation GTI, (1890 kWh/m2); global horizontal irradiation, GHI (1684 kWh/m2); diffuse horizontal irradiation DIF, (694 kWh/m2); ambient temperature (19 °C). In addition, the following performance parameters were reported - produced energy (13.06 MWh/year); specific production (1511 kWh/kWp/year); performance ratio, PR (79 %); and solar fraction, SF (36.92 %).

Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and other parts of the Global South are richly endowed with renewable energy resources (RERs) that are grossly untapped. The integration of these resources, such as hydro, wind, solar, and biomass will facilitate the desired net zero-CO2-emissions economy. If these RERs are adequately harnessed, the perennial power supply challenges in the region will be resolved, and the negative power supply narrative changed. Presently, a greater percentage of the population without access to electricity live in the Global South with SSA having the highest share. This inadequacy has been attributed to many factors, which include lack of connection to the national grid; lack of adequate technical capacities to design and manufacture efficient power generation and transmission components and systems; insufficient funds; unreliable, limited, and poor energy data. A comprehensive study of the renewable energy potential (REP) and technologies in the Global South is imperative to the management, regulation, and policies concerning energy, in this era of energy transition (ET). This study presents - a summary of REP of SSA; statistical analysis of the proposed and installed RE capacity across the region; and discussion on the pressing need for renewable energy integration (REI) to mitigate climate change. In addition, to develop RE schemes to facilitate greater access to clean, affordable, and adequate energy supply. Actualization of the integration of RERs into the national portfolio will promote CO2 reduction and improve the socio-economic benefits to the populace in both rural and urban areas of SSA and the Global South generally. Keywords— Renewable energy system; Net-zero-CO2 emissions, renewable energy in Global South; hydro; wind; solar; biomass

This study conducts optimum tilt angle and orientation of a standalone c-Si monocrystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) system deploying PVsyst software. The site of the hypothesized solar PV system is at 9, Mountain Rise, Berea, Durban, South Africa. This work presents values of tilt and azimuth angles and battery operating temperature that support optimal solar PV system performance. The range of angles considered for tilt and azimuth for a fixed PV panel mounting is 0° to 90° and -100° to 100°, respectively. Based on the report obtained from PVsyst design and simulation software, this study finds that: the highest available energy, specific energy, used energy, solar fraction, and lowest loss were recorded at tilt 40° and Azimuth 0°. Further, the longest battery service life was attained at an operating temperature between -2 °C to 20 °C. Hence, 40° and 0° are the optimum tilt and Azimuth angles, respectively while running the storage system at a temperature, not more than 20 °C.

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers play an important role in improving the efficiency of solar photovoltaic (SPV) modules. These controllers achieve maximum power transfer from PV modules through impedance matching between the PV modules and the load connected. Several MPPT techniques have been proposed for searching the optimal matching between the PV module and load resistance. These techniques vary in complexity, tracking speed, cost, accuracy, sensor, and hardware requirements. This paper presents the design and modeling of the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)-based MPPT controller. The design consists of a PV module, ANFIS reference model, DC–DC boost converter, and the fuzzy logic (FL) power controller for generating the control signal for the converter. The performance of the proposed ANFIS-based MPPT controller is evaluated through simulations in the matlab/simulink environment. The simulation results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed technique since the controller can extract the maximum available power for both steady-state and varying weather conditions. Moreover, a comparative study between the proposed ANFIS-based MPPT controller and the commonly used, perturbation and observation (P&O) MPPT technique is presented. The simulation results reveal that the proposed ANFIS-based MPPT controller is more efficient than the P&O method since it shows a better dynamic response with few oscillations about the maximum power point (MPP). In addition, the proposed FL power controller for generating the duty cycle of the DC–DC boost converter also gave satisfying results for MPPT.