Cape-based engineering, procurement and construction company Sustainable Power Solutions and its subcontractor Renen Renewable Energy Solutions have completed the installation of a R17-million, 1 MW single-rooftop grid-tied solar plant on the roof of floorcovering manufacturer Belgotex’s factory, in Pietermaritzburg.
The plant was installed at an angle of 15˚ on the north-facing roof of the facility and comprised 4 080 polycrystalline modules, each rated at 245 watt-peak, which would yield 1 415 MWh/y.
The modules were tied to 64 Danfoss three-phase grid inverters, with the output of the grid inverters integrated into Belgotex's electricity system at 11 000 V.
Installation of the 8 000 m2 array of solar panels formed part of Belogotex’s Green Journey strategy to offset 5%, or 1 386 t, of its carbon emissions each year.
Sustainable Power Solutions engineer Anja Visagie said an installation of this nature allowed a client to fix a portion of its electricity expenditure and was a long-term solution to current and future energy constraints that were particularly relevant to South Africa.