28/02/2025
At the beginning of 2024 Watsons Baconaries (Meat) 44 Cradock St George engaged the services of Specialized Solar Systems (SSS) to design a renewable energy project, that would deliver energy security and energy independence in an uncertain energy environment in SA. One of the important criteria was to deliver a solution that would offer extensive cost savings within a sound financial investment and break-even period. With load analysis, data evaluation, specific and challenging site conditions, and adhering to the clients mandate, SSS completed the design and was appointed as the EPC to complete the project. All legislative criteria were adhered to and the challenges of it being a heritage building with asbestos roof sheets were overcome by Watsons putting together a team of specialists.
SSS, as the appointed EPC, supplied and installed the renewable energy system with the following equipment.
300kVA inverter (2 x Atess 150kVA HPS), 299.7KWP roof mounted solar array comprising of 542 x 555w and 550w solar modules and a storage capacity of 400kWhrs (320kWhrs of usable energy) comprising of 4 x Freedom won HV 100/80 LiFePO4 batteries.
The use of the battery storage capacity is two fold. The stored energy offers security during mains power failure (load shedding) and through arbitrage, where the peak tariff periods are reduced as far as possible, by scheduled charging and discharging.
The 299KWP solar array delivers power directly to the load during the day and ensures charging of the batteries. An approved SSEG and supplementary agreement is in place between Watsons and the George municipality and though the system is designed mainly for self consumption, excess energy can be delivered into the municipal grid. The solar system will provide 386.4MWH per annum.
Within the project energy mix, 2 x 187kVA Empores SmartPro Energy saving and energy reduction machines were included. These machines are driven by an AI algorithm that over time, with PF correction, Voltage, Amperage, Frequency and Harmonics, will assist in protecting sensitive equipment and offer further cost savings. The Empores machines are compatible with the solar equipment installed and complement the operation of the system as a whole.
Working closely together with the Watsons team and the other appointed contractors and specialists, this project was completed and commissioned on the 21st of February 2025, just in time for Watsons to fall in line with being able to claim the current Tax incentive.
A challenging site was overcome by co-operation and management of several specialist teams with a successful outcome.
