KwaZulu-Natal is known for its beaches and sunshine, and local retail businesses are starting to take advantage of all those sunny days to generate their own electricity with a view to “going green” and to reducing their monthly electricity costs. Mtuba Mall is a 17 200 square meter regional shopping centre situated 200 kilometres north of Durban. The mall’s owners have been keenly aware of the huge cost and greening benefits that could be achieved through harnessing solar energy. And now, thanks to SolarSaver, the mall is in a position to do just that. SolarSaver, a company that allows clients to install customised solar photovoltaic (PV) solution via a unique rent-to-own model, completed installation of a 1-megawatt (1MW) installation at the mall in July.
When Mtuba Mall was designed and developed five years ago, it aimed to be naturally kinder to the environment. Today, large open-air sections allow for abundant natural light and air flow, requiring less additional lighting and air conditioning. Dylan Niemann, General Manager of Mtuba Mall says, “We are always looking for new initiatives that help reduce our impact on the environment. In addition, the irregular power supply and load shedding threats over the last few years have forced us to search for alternative ways to generate our own electricity.”
Solar has been an exciting addition to the mall, says Niemann. “A few years ago, the cost of solar was prohibitive, as we would need to outlay significant capital on set-up costs. SolarSaver’s rent-to-own offering has changed the game considerably as they cover the full cost of the installation and all the costs associated with the ongoing maintenance of the system. For a monthly rental fee, we can anticipate significant future savings on our current electricity costs, without the hassle of buying and maintaining a system ourselves. For Mtuba Mall, the SolarSaver solution is an absolute winner.”
Stuart Batchelor, director of SolarSaver, explains that the Mtuba Mall solution includes 3 440 solar panels and 20 inverters. “The mall’s objective was to generate as much electricity as possible for its own consumption. The project came with some unique challenges but we were able to come up with some innovative solutions. We’re also quite proud to have delivered such a large installation in a relatively remote location. The end result for Mtuba Mall is an anticipated solar output of 1 528 200 kWh per year.”
“Retailers like Mtuba Mall are taking a long-term view. Installing a solar solution means they get the immediate cost-saving benefits, as well as the potential to install batteries and go off-grid in the future. But beyond this, they understand the need to embrace the sort of sustainable practices that will ultimately keep KZN green,” says Batchelor.
SolarSaver is currently working on a number of other solar projects around Kwa-Zulu Natal. Installations currently underway include the Shelly Boulevard Centre on the South Coast, Sheffield Manufacturing in Durban and an Engen service station in Mt Edgecombe. These are in addition to a number of installations already completed in the province.
(ENDS)
About SolarSaver
SolarSaver provides customised rooftop solar photovoltaic solutions to corporate and industrial customers in Namibia and South Africa through its proprietary zero-capital financing model. Solar Saver uses a rent-to-own contract to allow businesses to save on their monthly electricity bills by allowing them to utilise their unproductive roof and parking spaces to generate renewable solar power without any capital outlay, or the requirement to invest in the expertise to build and operate a solar installation.SolarSaver has completed over 100 projects in South Africa and Namibia, the majority of which are managed in terms of rent-to-own contracts. Installations include systems for shopping centres, service stations, hotels, hospitals and factories. Sedgeley Energy is the technical service provider to Solar Saver and is responsible for the installation, administration and maintenance of the rental portfolio.
Media contact:
Sibongiseni Ngamile
Connect Media
+27 (0) 79 908 2362
t: +27 (0)11 886 0211| e: sibo@connectmedia.co.za
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