Final EIAR - Aurecon AME Environmental | Environmental Projects

Proposed Wind and Solar (Photovoltaic) Energy Facilities on Kangnas Farm near Springbok in the Northern Cape: Final EIR 41
Where no new PPA can be negotiated it is likely that the wind farm would be decommissioned
according to requirements in the EMP and as required by any other legislation/regulations at
that time.
The following decommissioning and/or repowering activities have been considered to form part
of the project scope of the proposed wind energy facility:
a) Site preparation
Site preparation activities would include confirming the integrity of the access to the site to
accommodate required equipment and lifting cranes, preparation of the site (e.g. lay down
areas, construction platform) and the mobilisation of decommissioning equipment.
b) Disassemble and replace existing turbines
A large crane would be brought on site. It would be used to disassemble the turbine and tower
sections. These components would be reused, recycled or disposed of in accordance with
regulatory requirements. All parts of the turbine would be considered reusable or recyclable
except for the blades. The land-use would revert back agriculture/ grazing.
3.3 SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY PROJECT
PV systems convert sunlight into energy. The smallest unit of a PV installation is a cell. The PV
cells are made of silicone which acts as a semi-conductor. The cells absorb light energy which
energizes the electrons to produce electricity. A number of solar cells electrically connected to
each other and mounted in a support structure or frame, behind a glass sheet to protect the
cells from the environment, is called a PV module. A number of cells form a module and a
number of modules form an array (see Figure 3.6). Modules are arranged in section sizes of
approximately 40 x 5 m called tables and are installed on racks which are made of aluminum or
steel. Modules are designed to supply electricity at a certain voltage. The current produced is
directly dependent on how much light strikes the module. The arrays are arranged into rows that
form the solar field.
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