“The solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant designed and installed by Sustainable Power Solutions (Pty) Ltd. at Lourensford Wine Estates’ wine cellar generates electricity during sunshine hours and feeds this into the Lourensford electricity grid and used throughout the Wine Estate. At night the plant goes into stand-by mode.
The solar modules are connected to grid inverters which convert the generated Direct Current (DC) from the solar modules into a grid-compatible Alternating Current (AC). The outputs of the inverters are combined and fed to the Wine Cellars Main Distribution board, where the energy is used first by the wine cellar and the surplus is supplied to the rest of Lourensford. The plant has been designed to ensure that all of the energy produced will be used within the Estate.
The solar PV plant operates completely autonomously and requires no intervention by the owner. The solar PV power plant requires minimal maintenance, and Lourensford’s solar modules will be cleaned six times a year to ensure optimal production. These solar modules will still be generating more than 90% of their original nameplate capacity (250Wp) at date of purchase after 20 years.”
“Lourensford has reinforced its reputation for conservation of the beautiful natural environment of this well-known wine estate in Somerset West by investing in solar energy. More than R7 million has been spent on the installation of a modern 500 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) plant on the roof of the winery.
The installation of the system is part of the long term strategy to generate more natural energy and in this way contribute to sustainable energy and the protection of the ecosystem. A big bonus is that this also takes the estate a step closer to producing carbon neutral wines.
Lourensford is a Biodiversity and Wine Initiative Champion Winery and belongs to successful South African businessman and entrepreneur Dr Christo Wiese, the driving force behind the PV system which is now up and running. It is an extension of a well-established program of sustainable agriculture, nature conservation, recycling and the eradication of invasive plants.”