South African Gov. Orders 8,000 Solar PV Systems

[RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Dutch energy company Nuon said it has signed an agreement with the South African government for the installation of 8,000 solar energy systems in the South African province of KwaZulu Natal over the next two years. No financial details were disclosed. The systems will be installed by NuRa, a joint venture of Nuon and local energy company RAPS. Nuon has already installed 6,000 solar energy systems in South Africa which supply electricity to households and small businesses. The South African government has set up an incentive program so that investors can supply affordable electricity to sparsely populated areas without a grid. Nuon said the electricity supplied by its systems is cleaner and safer than the oil lamps and paraffin lamps which are currently the only alternatives.