Solar Saver's Supermarket
Shoprite Kraaifontein
In a significant stride towards a more sustainable future, Africa’s largest fast-moving consumer goods retailer, Shoprite Kraaifontein, has hopped aboard the renewable energy express with a massive 430kW AC Coupled (grid-tied) solar solution.
Solar Saver's Supermarket: Where Green Meets Groceries
Shoprite shopping centers are renowned for their substantial power consumption, exerting considerable strain on the utility grid. The implementation of this grid-tied system serves a dual purpose – easing the load for Shoprite while extending a helping hand to the local municipality. It’s a win-win situation. Shoprite’s electricity bills see a substantial reduction, and the local grid breathes easier as the burden on Shoprite’s side is lifted.
But the brilliance of this initiative doesn’t stop there. Smart generator integration is a vital component of this setup, driven by the need to combat the high costs of running generators and the extensive carbon emissions produced during power failures. Even though the generator operates at a minimum safe capacity of 30% during unplanned utility power interruptions, the carbon footprint is steadily dwindling, making for a cleaner and greener outlook.
More Info about the project
This substantial grid-tied system comes in the form of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Under the PPA, the system is leased, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are firmly established for a 20-year period before the final handover of the system takes place.
The beauty of the PPA is that it requires no initial Capital Expenditure (Capex) or Operating Expenditure (Opex) from the client, streamlining the path to a greener future. Shoprite Kraaifontein’s transition to renewable energy is not only an environmental win but a savvy financial move that sets the stage for a more sustainable tomorrow.