The 8,000m2 array of solar panels spans an area slightly larger than the size of a rugby field and was installed at a cost of R17m. It forms part of the floorcovering manufacturer's green journey strategy to offset 5% of their carbon emissions each year.
Using optimised engineering design and cutting-edge components, Sustainable Power Solutions delivered on the brief by Belgotex to design, procure and project manage the installation of an emission-curbing, cost-saving solution that will generate sufficient energy to power the equivalent of 200 average households daily. Thanks to the efficiency of design, the plant will avoid carbon emissions of 1,386 tons each year, by not having to rely on electricity produced from coal.
"As a hedge against rising electricity costs, an installation of this nature allows the client to fix a portion of their electricity expenditure. It is a long-term solution to current and future energy constraints that are particularly relevant to South Africa," Sustainable Power Solutions engineer, Anja Visagie, said.
The plant at Belgotex has been installed at an angle of 15 degrees on the north-facing roof of the facility. The installation comprises 4,080 polycrystalline modules, each rated at 245 Watt-peak. This will yield 1,415MWh per year. The modules are tied to 64 Danfoss three-phase grid inverters and the output of the grid inverters is integrated into Belgotex's electricity system at 11,000V. An integrated web server compiles data on the status of the solar plant. The information is fed to a web portal, which the client and the operations and maintenance teams can access simultaneously.
