Entrepreneur of the Month: GeoSUN Founder, Riaan Meyer – February 2024

Entrepreneur of the Month: GeoSUN Founder, Riaan Meyer

By Heike Kannemeyer 

Located at the heart of Cape Town, GeoSUN is rewriting the narrative of renewable energy consultancy, and at the helm is the visionary Riaan Meyer. A pioneer in the field of solar energy consultancy, Meyer’s journey with GeoSUN embodies the fusion of passion for renewable energy and a keen entrepreneurial spirit.

Inspiration and Purpose: A Renewable Energy Visionary

For Riaan Meyer, the seeds of GeoSUN were sown with the inception of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Procurement Program (RE-IPPPP). Recognizing the burgeoning demand for local technical expertise in the solar energy sector, Meyer, fuelled by his long-standing love for renewable energy, embarked on a mission to bridge this gap.

Driven by a commitment to sustainability and a desire to contribute to South Africa’s renewable energy landscape, Meyer founded GeoSUN, setting the stage for a transformative journey in the realm of solar energy consultancy.

Innovation at the Core: GeoSUN’s Unique Value Proposition

GeoSUN’s market advantage lies in its unparalleled suite of niche services and specialized products, positioning it as a frontrunner in the local renewable energy consultancy sphere. With a strong emphasis on on-site service delivery, GeoSUN distinguishes itself by offering a comprehensive turn-key solution to its clientele.

One of the cornerstones of GeoSUN’s success lies in its adaptability and evolution. Originally focused on Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) projects, GeoSUN has transitioned seamlessly to Photovoltaic (PV) projects, reflecting its agility and responsiveness to market dynamics.

Furthermore, GeoSUN’s expansion into the wind energy industry underscores its commitment to diversification and innovation, propelling it to the forefront of the renewable energy consultancy landscape.

Evolution and Milestones: From Inception to Expansion

Since its inception, GeoSUN has witnessed a remarkable evolution, marked by significant milestones and achievements. From its humble beginnings servicing solar projects in South Africa, GeoSUN has expanded its footprint across the African continent and beyond, establishing itself as a global player in the renewable energy consultancy domain.

The company’s transition from project development to operational phase services exemplifies its adaptability and responsiveness to industry trends, solidifying its position as a trusted partner in the renewable energy sector.

Targeting Solutions for Today and Tomorrow: GeoSUN’s Customer-Centric Approach

GeoSUN’s target clientele primarily comprises large-scale solar projects in developing countries, offering a tailored turn-key solution to meet their unique needs. By providing services previously monopolized by foreign entities, GeoSUN addresses critical pain points such as cost, lead time, and local support, thereby enhancing the accessibility and viability of renewable energy projects.

Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, GeoSUN continues to expand its reach, catering to a diverse array of clients across various geographical regions. Exhibitions and trade shows serve as key platforms for customer acquisition, while the company’s unwavering commitment to quality service and support ensures client retention and loyalty.

Overcoming Challenges: Navigating the Path to Success

Undoubtedly, GeoSUN’s journey has been fraught with challenges, with talent acquisition and retention emerging as an obstacle. However, Meyer’s pragmatic approach and unwavering determination have enabled GeoSUN to overcome these hurdles, fostering a culture of resilience and innovation within the organization.

Scaling for Impact: A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, GeoSUN remains steadfast in its commitment to expansion and innovation. By continuously enhancing its service offerings and leveraging advancements in solar technologies, GeoSUN aims to consolidate its position as a market leader while exploring new avenues for growth and market penetration.

Furthermore, GeoSUN’s partnership with PVinsight represents a significant milestone in its journey, offering accredited PV test and inspection services that further augment its value proposition and market competitiveness.

Technology as the Enabler: Empowering a Sustainable Future

At the heart of GeoSUN’s success lies its unwavering commitment to technology as a catalyst for change. From its inception, technology has been seamlessly integrated into GeoSUN’s operations, enabling precise tracking, optimization, and monitoring of solar projects, thereby ensuring maximum efficiency and sustainability.

GeoSUN, a spin-off company from Stellenbosch University’s Centre of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES), specializes in various aspects of solar energy projects. Here’s a breakdown of what GeoSUN does and does not do:

What GeoSUN does:

• Development Phase of Solar Projects: GeoSUN provides comprehensive solar resource assessments during the development phase, which are crucial for ensuring the bankability of solar projects. This includes conducting albedo studies, which assess the reflectivity of surfaces, an important factor in determining solar energy potential for bi-facial PV panels.
• Construction Phase Support: During the construction phase of solar projects, GeoSUN supplies and installs SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) monitoring weather stations. These stations help in monitoring weather conditions which are vital for efficient operation of solar plants. Additionally, GeoSUN offers testing and inspection services for PV (photovoltaic) modules installed in the solar plant, ensuring quality and reliability. This includes inspection of the PV modules with a drone equipped with an infrared (IR) camera.
• Operational Phase Services: In the operational phase of solar projects, GeoSUN offers calibration services for solar and meteorological sensors, ensuring accurate measurements of solar irradiance and other relevant parameters. They also provide accredited testing for PV modules, which helps in assessing their performance and compliance with industry standards.

What GeoSUN doesn’t do:

• GeoSUN does not engage in the supply and installation of solar panels. This implies that while they provide various services crucial for the development, construction, and operation of solar projects, they do not directly handle the procurement or installation of the primary solar energy generation equipment, such as solar panels.

The genesis of GeoSUN can be traced back to the initiative of Prof. Wikus van Niekerk, who was the director of CRSES at Stellenbosch University and is currently one of the directors and shareholders of GeoSUN. The formation of GeoSUN as a spin-off from the university’s CRSES indicates its roots in academic research and expertise in renewable energy studies, particularly in the field of solar energy.

Under Riaan Meyer’s visionary leadership, GeoSUN continues to push the boundaries of innovation, harnessing technology to drive positive change in the renewable energy landscape. As GeoSUN embarks on its next chapter of growth and expansion, it remains a shining beacon of entrepreneurship and innovation, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.