Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Archived News

Solar Systems and Windmills in the KTP

Date: 2006-10-16

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) has long been associated with the tall windmills at each waterhole in the park. However, over the past few years, some of these windmills have been replaced by unobtrusive solar systems, making good use of the abundant sun energy that is so freely available in the Kalahari and reducing the manpower needed for the heavy maintenance of the windmills.

The installation of these cost saving devices has been largely due to the absolute dedication of Mr Piet Heymans and the ‘ Friends of the Kalahari’, who have been donating solar systems to the KTP. Recently they generously donated another R14 000 to the construction of three large exhibits that explain the pro’s and cons of solar systems and windmills as ways of supplying water in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is deeply grateful for the solar system donations and for the informative displays. These displays have been erected at each of the three main picnic spots, Melkvlei, Dikbaardskolk and Kamqua. Hopefully more sponsors will participate in this project as a result of these informative displays.

A special word of thanks goes to Francois Kloppers, from the Boland Honorary Rangers and his "band of merry men", who took time out from their busy schedules in Cape town to come and erect these displays.