Engineering News | Features Library | Archive | Power-Gen Africa Agriculture, Automotive, Chemicals, Competition Policy, Construction, Defence, Economy, Electricity, Energy, Engineering and Manufacturing, Environment, Metals, Science Technology, ICT, Trade, Transport, Water 14th July 2017 Although the global solar industry is growing rapidly, photovoltaic (PV) plants are still relatively new in South Africa and require professional design expertise to ensure best practice engineering, says consulting engineering firm SMEC South Africa power and energy function manager Stephen. PROTECTING VALUABLE ASSETS The design of a photovoltaic plant lightning protection system requires an engineer with some specialist knowledge and experience to ensure adequate protection.