Two Gr. 12 learners of the Senakangwedi High School in Botshabelo’s groundbreaking research is envisaged to impact in solving the major challenge experienced in energy supply.
Sithembile Hlehliso (18) and Kabelo Sekoere (19) have created a project that optimises the efficiency of solar panels.
Their research is set to unlock the full potential of solar energy into a sustainable powerhouse. Theirs was voted as the best energy project and one of the top four that received special awards at this year’s Eskom Expo International Science Fair for young scientists.
Held in Boksburg, Gauteng, from 3 to 6 October, the event brought together the brightest budding scientists from across South Africa and various countries around the world. Participants hailed from Ghana, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Indonesia and Turkey.
Sekoere and Hlehliso investigated ways to improve the efficiency of solar panels. Their project is termed the Solar Power Stand.
“Our project is based on improving the efficiency of the solar panels for future purposes by not changing its structure, but by providing it with resources to make it function at its best,” Kabelo explained.
In their research, the pair were able to think ahead to maximise energy usage to meet the country’s growing demand.
The research is timed to boost South Africa’s chances, as it is earmarked as a hub for solar energy.
“It has been estimated that by the year 2050 or 2060, about 70% of the world will be using solar panels. So, instead of waiting to solve the problems of the solar panels by then, we are solving them now.
“We found that debris on top of the solar panel can prevent about 30% of the energy from being absorbed, and as most of the solar panels are placed at higher altitudes to receive sufficient energy, it is dangerous for people to clean them from there,” Sithembile explained.
Both are planning to study engineering following their groundbreaking research.
Kabelo said due to the far-reaching research, engineering takes priority over their initial interest to study medicine. The duo were rewarded handsomely for their research. Both received prestigious full bursaries valued at about R1 million, courtesy of Siemens–Energy, to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering at the South African universities of their choice. They also received a gold medal for their effort.
“These learners hail from a township that lacks the resources found in most major cities, but that did not deter them from thinking creatively and pursuing their ideas to design a prototype,” said Parthy Chetty, executive director of the Eskom Expo.
“The insight displayed by these learners goes beyond the school curriculum as they had to do a lot of research on their own. This is the calibre of learners produced by the Eskom Expo and it gives our country hope for a brighter future with great engineering ideas like those displayed by Kabelo and Simthembile.”
