Abstract
Beyond any shadow of a doubt, solar power is one of the most viable alternatives as far as renewable energy is concerned. Numerous homeowners, farmers, businesses and government institutions are installing solar power systems on their rooftops, carports, and walls and some are opting for ground-mounted structures to pack the solar panels on. Most of these solar mounting structures used are made of aluminium and steel. Nonetheless, extrusion and anodizing of the aluminium structures was the focal point of this research project. The major aim of each profit-making entity is to accumulate as much profit as possible. This goal can be achieved better if the processes within an organization are optimized enough to run efficiently, minimizing as much waste as possible, and thus improving productivity. This research project sought to assess the impact of implementing the Lean management principle on the production of solar mounting structures, particularly the extrusion and anodizing of the aluminium structures. Simulation modelling was applied on a case study basis to determine what effects the Lean management principle has on the processes in question. A positive impact, reduced cycle times in both the extrusion and anodising plants, implied that the processes could be more optimized and efficient, hence improving the productivity and profitability of the organization.