In what is considered the most significant project of its kind implemented at a major South African golf club, a solar power and battery microgrid has been commissioned at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. The collaboration involved the club, Solarise Africa, Hooray Power, and Caracal Engineering.
The golf club CEO, Christopher Bentley, explained the strategic decision to partner with Solarise Africa, citing their expert approach and innovative power purchase model, relieving the club of the capital burden associated with the outright purchase and future technology requirements. With the solar system now operational, generating around 400 MWh of energy per year, the club anticipates substantial savings on monthly energy bills and a constant energy supply, aligning with its commitment to environmental sustainability.
The project involved the construction of cantilever carports with solar panels, a battery room, and the installation of batteries and necessary systems for creating a microgrid. The system comprises 452 LONGi 555W mono-crystalline solar modules, Huawei Sun 110 KTL Grid Tied inverters, two FreedomWon 300 kWh LIPO4 battery stacks, and one ATESS 250 kW PCS battery inverter.
Over the 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) term, the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club is projected to save approximately R21 million on utility costs, making a significant financial and environmental impact. Solarise Africa co-founder and COO, Sakkie van Wijk, highlighted the positive impact of businesses on the environment and their bottom line. The collaboration aims to contribute to a cleaner, greener future.
Hooray Power CEO, Adriaan Erasmus, emphasized the environmental benefits of seamlessly integrating green energy into the golf course’s infrastructure, reducing noise pollution and carbon emissions traditionally associated with generators. The solar transformation demonstrates the golf course’s commitment to environmental stewardship and enhances operations against external energy uncertainties.
Caracal Engineering expressed honor in working on the solar transformation of the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, contributing to the cutting-edge energy solution for this historic project.
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