Work is ongoing to create an Agrivoltaic (AgriPV) System at UWC will generate clean energy and organic food. Image: Jesi Townsend/UWCStaff and Students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) would have noticed that the area behind the Senate Building and adjacent to the Petro SA building is a hive of activity.
To date, a 130-m fence has been erected on West Campus around the area that will soon become the new home of the exciting “Green New World” (GNW) project. Led by the Energy Storage and Fluid Treatment Centre (ESFTC) at UWC, it will house a system allowing solar energy production and crop cultivation on the same land.
The project is hosted by the South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC), and Phase 1 of the GNW has been put in motion. Soon, an Agrivoltaic System (AgriPV) will be constructed. This dual-use solar energy system combines agriculture and photovoltaic (PV) technology on the same land, allowing crops to grow underneath or between solar panels.
At UWC, when the construction of this structure is completed 90kW PV panels will be installed and integrated with a power conditioning system (MPPT, Batteries and Inverters) to produce high quality electricity to power a borehole pump, water purification system, irrigation system, a green cooling system, E-vehicles and part of the adjacent building.
Project leader, Prof Bernard Bladergroen, said: “The Green New World will serve as a state-of-the-art demonstration platform, integrating the symbiotic needs of water, energy, and food into one circular system. Its true value lies in the seamless integration of electrically driven processes—such as water purification, irrigation, e-mobility, and cold chain technology—with advanced agricultural practices like hydroponics. UWC is at the forefront of developing sustainable Water-Energy-Food ecosystems. The scientific data generated by the GNW will guide the development of blueprints for WEF-ecosystems capable of delivering affordable, sustainable solutions across South Africa and beyond.”
Agrivoltaic (AgriPV) System under construction at UWC. Image: Jesi Townsend/UWCHe added that the GNW is more than just a technology platform; it is a social construct—a living example of how a Just Energy Transition can be realised in Africa while addressing the challenges of climate change. In 2026, UWC will launch its first training course on AgriPV systems, focusing on the implementation of AgriPV structures, solar-powered refrigeration, groundwater purification, hydroponics and e-mobility. The course will also address the economic and social dimensions of these integrated systems. Construction of the GNW will begin as soon as the City of Cape Town approves the submitted plans.
There are numerous green benefits from this AgriPV system, including the provision of electricity for future projects. In a recent study, it was found that over 79% of South Africa's land is dedicated to agriculture, yet only 22.5% of installed PV capacity resides in this sector. Given that more than 80% of South Africa's land area receives solar irradiation exceeding 1600 kWh/m²/year, integrating Agri-PV systems could significantly boost energy generation without compromising agricultural output. The trainees in this programme are actively involved in the development of Phase One of the project. They are working on the AgriPV, battery integration and cooling solutions of the battery systems.
Further development of the GNW concept will be carried out in collaboration with the HySA Systems Competence Centre. It is one of three competence centres of the Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Flagship Programme and is also hosted by SAIAMC. As indicated by Prof Sivakumar Pasupathi, the Director HySA Systems, Phase 2 of the GNW will include its green hydrogen production and compression technology, hydrogen dispensing using its own refuelling station and demonstrate fuel cell applications in transport and energy generation at UWC.
Prof Bladergroen said: “At SAIAMC, we would like to acknowledge the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the Water Energy SETA, and the European Union Commission’s funding programme Horizon Europe (project name AgriCOOL, Grant Agreement ID: 101147102) for financing this initiative.” The HySA Systems Competence Centre has been funded by DSTI since 2008.
According to Prof Vladimir Linkov, Director of SAIAMC, when completed, the GNW will leverage SAIAMC manufactured prototypes, expertise, know-how and intellectual property accumulated through the past 25 years of dedicated efforts in renewable energy, water treatment and sustainability domains, providing the much needed trust for industry and society early adopters in South Africa and beyond.
