This project was implemented at a busy commercial restaurant in Benoni, Gauteng. The site, which includes a high-volume takeaway outlet, experiences consistent foot traffic and operates under significant energy demand. Like many South African businesses, it faced challenges from frequent load shedding and escalating electricity costs. The client required a resilient energy solution to ensure uninterrupted operations while significantly reducing reliance on the national grid.
The challenge
- High Electricity Tariff
- This busy commercial restaurant, Nando’s Northmead in Benoni, Gauteng, which includes a high-volume takeaway outlet, experienced significant operational expenses due to escalating electricity costs.
- Long Duration Power Outages
- The site, operating under significant energy demand with consistent foot traffic, faced severe disruptions from frequent and prolonged load shedding, impacting business continuity. The client urgently required a resilient energy solution to ensure uninterrupted operations and significantly reduce grid reliance.
What we built
- Hybrid Solar System
- Royal Power engineered and installed a high-performance hybrid system. This system incorporates 54 x Canadian Solar CS6W-590T 590W panels (25 north-facing at a 15° tilt on a flat roof, and 29 mounted flat on east- and west-facing pitched roofs) to generate solar energy. The system is designed for intelligent switching between solar, grid, and battery power.
- Battery Storage
- The system includes 6 x Sungrow 25.6kWh High Voltage Batteries, providing a total usable capacity of 153.6kWh. This allows the restaurant to store excess solar energy and provide power during outages and peak billing times, ensuring continuous operation.
- AC Coupling
- The system utilizes 3 x Sungrow 25kW Hybrid Inverters, totaling 75kW of inverter capacity, to seamlessly manage the flow of energy between the solar array, batteries, and the grid.
- AC Coupling
- The system utilizes 3 x Sungrow 25kW Hybrid Inverters, totaling 75kW of inverter capacity, to seamlessly manage the flow of energy between the solar array, batteries, and the grid.
- Outdoor Installation & Security
- EPDM roofing screws were used to ensure waterproofing integrity on the IBR roof, and panels were safely hoisted using a scissor lift, adhering to all work-at-height safety protocols.
- Health & Safety Protocols
- All works were executed in compliance with SANS 10142-1 Electrical Installation Regulations, SAPVIA PV Green Card installation best practices, and full adherence to working at height and occupational health and safety protocols.
Integration and control
- Seamless Integration
- The hybrid power approach intelligently switches between sources: free solar energy harvested during daylight hours, low-cost grid electricity used to charge batteries during off-peak hours, and battery discharge during peak billing times when electricity costs are highest. This ensures the system is both environmentally responsible and financially strategic.
The results
- Energy Savings
- The system has demonstrated excellent energy performance and consistent savings since commissioning, contributing to lower monthly electricity bills through solar supplementation. The design leverages the Section 12B tax incentive, significantly improving the financial return.
- Uninterrupted Operations
- The hybrid system ensures continuous operation during power outages, providing the client with a resilient energy solution that protects against load shedding.
- Financial Savings
- The estimated payback period is approximately 5.3 years, driven by substantial energy savings. All major components carry minimum 10-year warranties, guaranteeing long-term value.
- Compliance and Quality
- The installation is fully compliant with SANS 10142-1 regulations and is SAPVIA PV Green Card certified, demonstrating adherence to high standards of quality and safety.
System details
- Client
- Nando’s Northmead
- System Type
- Hybrid Solar System
- Solar Modules
- 54 × Canadian Solar CS6W-590T 590W panels (25 north-facing at 15° tilt on flat roof; 29 flat on east- and west-facing pitched roofs)
- Inverters
- 3 × Sungrow 25kW Hybrid Inverters (Total: 75kW)
- Battery Storage
- 6 × Sungrow 25.6kWh High Voltage Batteries (Total usable: 153.6kWh)
- Mounting and Safety
- EPDM roofing screws for waterproofing; panels hoisted with scissor lift following safety protocols
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