VWGA completes solar panel project at Component Plant

Reinforcing their commitment to sustainability and renewable energy, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has completed a photovoltaic solar panel project at their Component Plant in Kariega, Eastern Cape.

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The project, completed in June 2026, comprises 1 410 solar panels mounted on the roofs of the building and its car park, as well as a ground-mounted portion. This facility has a capacity of about 0,88MWp, and is the latest addition to VWGA’s renewable energy projects.

VWGA previously completed a multi-phase solar panel installation over their employee car park, which included 9 294 panels with a capacity of 5.2MWp, capable of producing 7 125MWh annually. Additionally, similar solar panel projects were completed on the roof of the Final Assembly building (1,7MWp) and the engine plant (1MWp).

Seen here are Mike Petrie, Ulrich Schwabe, Ntsapokazi Ningiza and Pano Mantatzis.

These projects form part of a long-term sustainability roadmap towards achieving carbon-neutral electricity in VWGA’s production operations. In 2025, Plant Kariega relied on green energy sources for 40% of its energy requirements.

“We have made significant strides in recent years towards fully sustainable manufacturing,” says Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director at Volkswagen Group Africa. “As a company we remain committed towards practices that are responsible and sustainable, and our work in increasing our green footprint is never done.”

  • Also read our previous reporting on Volkswagen’s solar project:

https://dealerfloor.co.za/electric-vehicles/vwsa-completes-second-phase-of-using-solar-power-at-plant

https://dealerfloor.co.za/electric-vehicles/vw-group-africa-adds-3mw-to-its-grid

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