Local content rules for PV modules posing a challenge for ‘emergency’ solar projects

The stipulation that solar projects bid as part of the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) include photovoltaic (PV) modules that meet the local-content thresholds and conditionalities outlined in government’s designation for PV components is causing some anxiety among independent power producers (IPPs) and their engineering contractors. Neither laminated PV modules, nor module frames received an exemption from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), owing to the existence of local industrial capacity to conduct final assembly and compliance testing.