Initial results of a solar photovoltaic (PV) installation at 382 Jan Smuts avenue are proving to be “exciting”, with 300 highly-efficient rooftop solar panels providing 26% of the three-storey building’s electricity requirements.
The installation, managed by Spire Sustainable Solutions, was being monitored through a rooftop weather station linked to an online portal allowing parent company Spire Property Management to review the performance of the system that went live in February.
“The value of this power will increase in direct proportion to electricity price increases. This power is resold on to the tenants and so will no longer need to be purchased from [power utility] Eskom,” 382 Jan Smuts property manager Simon Stubbings said.
The Tower Property Fund-owned property underwent an extensive functional renovation, including a lighting retrofit, a façade facelift, new bathrooms throughout the office block, as well as a complete repaint for the entire building.
PV solar systems have also been rolled out to other buildings within Spire’s property portfolio, including the Western Cape-based Cape Quarter and DeVille shopping centre and 6 – 8 Sturdee Avenue, in Johannesburg.
These various installations were expected to supply about R1.2-million worth of electricity in the first year of operation, explained Spire Sustainable Solutions MD Simon Penso.
Installation company Weave Energy was appointed to install solar systems at 382 Jan Smuts, the DeVille centre and 6 – 8 Sturdee Avenue.