South Africa-based J.C. Bosman Boerdery has announced it has acquired solar power systems for companies Lelienfontein Vine Growers and Bosman Family Vineyards
The company revealed it has installed a 53 kilowatt-peak (kWp) solar power system on the roof of its wine cellar in Lelienfontein and a 35 kWp system on the roof of its Groenfontein administrative offices.
The two grid-tied solar power systems were supplied by SolarWorld Africa alongside its distribution partner African Technical Innovations.
Kobus Engelbrecht, managing director of African Technical Innovations said, “Having partnered with SolarWorld on a number of projects in the agriculture and wine farming sectors, we have formed a team to implement these solar electricity systems.”
The installations are expected to generate 147,871 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power a year. According to standards published in the 2012 Eskom annual report, solar electricity production at this level amounts to additional savings of 144,702 litres of water per year, offsetting carbon emissions by 141.5 tonnes.
At present there is a strong move from South African farmers towards solar energy, particularly within the wine farming industry due to the fact that cooling usually takes place when the sun shines.
Gregor Küpper, managing director of SolarWorld Africa commented, “Agribusiness is starting to capitalise on the long-term advantages of investment in renewables. The obvious environmental benefits are driving some of this growth but we have found that it is the highly measurable commercial benefits that are influencing investment decisions.”
