Winery exploits solar power
24 November 2010
News
The 539 solar modules installed across three of the cellar’s roofs represent the largest roof-mounted solar project in South Africa. The panels will generate enough energy to power the winery’s entire daytime requirement out of harvest time, providing electricity to its staff housing, offices, kitchens, processing and bottling facilities, cellars and even its cooling and irrigation systems. The capacity available equates to around 726 kWh per day. To put this in perspective, an average family of four consumes in the region of just 30 to 35 kWh per day.
“Solar energy is the perfect alternative solution in our climate. Not only do we have some of the sunniest weather in the world, but the intensity of our sunlight is greater, with each square metre of radiation being able to generate almost twice the kWh in comparison to some European countries,” elaborates enerGworx managing director, André Potgieter. “In a country where fragmented infrastructure can also pose a challenge, solar solutions provide access to renewable and sustainable energy source, at a fraction of the cost, where it is most needed.” To help make solar power even more accessible, enerGworx will be introducing financing options for its installations.
Villiera director, Simon Grier, is extremely impressed with the project. “enerGworx came to us with a complete end-to-end solution that is an ideal fit for our business. They scoped and designed the implementation, acquired all the necessary legislative compliancy, and then undertook the procurement, installation and commissioning. The entire project has been completed in just eight weeks with no interruption to our existing operations.”
The project at Villiera is also creating interest around the effectiveness of solar energy, particularly in a manufacturing environment. Potgieter points out that significant Eskom rate hikes are predicted and each successive increase is eating into business profits. “This is especially critical in those sectors, like agriculture, that are energy intensive. Investing in a solar solution can empower an enterprise to secure its profits in the long term, while providing a clean, renewable source of power.”
Villiera is a case in point. The winery expects to see the project pay for itself within the next six years thanks to the savings realised. With a life expectancy in excess of 50 years for the newly installed panels, the farm’s children, who have been observing the installation with great interest, will be benefiting from this inexpensive, sustainable energy source for a long time to come.
For more information contact André Potgieter, enerGworx, +27 (0)82 785 6897, andre@energworx.co.za, www.energworx.co.za
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