Blockpower has recently completed the second phase and is in the process of implementing the third phase of the installation of a 4.6 MWp, 3 MVA, 1 440 kWh hybrid solar system in Zimbabwe.

In the Chipinge district of Zimbabwe sits the Tanganda Tea Company’s agricultural estates (TTC). Tanganda Tea Company Limited is the largest producer, packer and distributor of tea products in Zimbabwe. They additionally operate several estates which also cultivate coffee, macadamia nuts and avocadoes.

Due to the inconsistent power supply in Zimbabwe, Blockpower was tasked to come up with a full turnkey solution to stabilise the delivery of power for the agricultural estates operations. “Client required a system that could be implemented to ensure a cost-effective, energy efficient and environmentally friendly alternative power supply. A solution to safeguard the long-term sustainability of the business,” explains Sean Crisp, operations manager: Blockpower.

“The Hybrid solution designed and presented by Blockpower is a combined solar, battery and generator system incorporating the universal power platform (UPP) at its core which has subsequently been implemented on two estates,” explains Kyle Bohnsack, director: Blockpower. The estates were supplementing power with diesel generators often for more than 12 hours per day. The Blockpower solution addresses that by ensuring that power from the solar arrays, batteries and generators are utilised with the grid to keep the estates operational on a stable energy platform.

On the Tingamira Estate the installation includes 1,2MWp PV. The PV is a ground mounted structure design. A 478kWh battery storage with an 870kW battery inverter was installed in a locally manufactured climate-controlled container. ” Importantly the solar array, battery storage and battery inverters are modular and scalable,” notes Bohnsack.

On the Jersey Estate the installation includes a slightly larger 1,4MWp PV size, a 478kWh battery storage and 870kW battery in a similar containerized solution.  While on the Ratelshoek Estate the installation includes a larger 2 MWp PV array, already installed, with the balance of the configuration, similar to the other sites, soon to be implemented.

These systems include both monitoring and control programmes. This is achieved by DHYBRID’s Universal Power Platform (UPP) which is installed alongside an operator Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. This makes it possible for the customer to have greater control of power source and consumption as the process is carefully monitored and remotely accessible.

The additional benefit of systems of this nature is the positive impact on the environment. It is estimated that the current installed system will save approximately 4 000 to 6 000 tonnes of CO2 per annum for the lifespan of the system.

“Our ground-breaking solution for TTC allows for saving a substantial amount for our client, and Project payback is estimated to be between 3 to 4 years,” concludes Bohnsack.