In what is believed to be the biggest such project implemented, so far, at a major South African golf club, a solar power and battery microgrid has been commissioned at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. The project was the fruit of collaboration between the club, Solarise Africa, Hooray Power and Caracal Engineering.

“Selecting Solarise Africa as our energy partner was a strategic decision driven by their expert approach, proven success, and innovative power purchase [PPA] model that relieved us of the capital burden associated with outright purchase and future technology requirements,” explained golf club CEO Christopher Bentley. “With our solar system now operational, generating around 400 MWh of energy per year, we anticipate substantial savings on our monthly energy bills, coupled with the assurance of a constant energy supply. This venture not only secures our financial interests but also aligns seamlessly with our commitment to environmental sustainability.”

The project saw the construction (by Caracal Engineering) of cantilever carports, structurally incorporating solar panels, and of a battery room, as well as the installation of the batteries and all the other necessary systems needed to create a microgrid. Construction started last October, and proceeded rapidly. The complete system was composed of 452 LONGi 555W mono-crystalline solar modules, Huawei Sun 110 KTL Grid Tied inverters, two FreedomWon 300 kWh LIPO4 battery stacks, and one ATESS 250 kW PCS battery inverter. 

“Over the 20-year PPA term, the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club is projected to save approximately R21-million on utility costs, marking a substantial financial and environmental impact,” highlighted Solarise Africa co-founder and COO Sakkie van Wijk. “This collaboration exemplifies the positive impact that businesses can have on both the environment and their bottom line. We are proud to be a part of this historic project, empowering the club to harness the potential of solar energy and contribute to a cleaner, greener future.”

“By seamlessly integrating green energy into the [golf] course’s infrastructure, we managed to mitigate the environmental impact traditionally associated with generators, reducing noise pollution and carbon emissions,” explained Hooray Power CEO Adriaan Erasmus. “In embracing this cutting-edge energy solution, the golf course not only demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship but also fortifies its operations against external energy uncertainties, embodying a harmonious fusion of luxury, sustainability, and resilience.”

“Caracal Engineering is honoured to have been afforded the privilege by Solarise Africa to work on the solar transformation of the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club,” said Caracal MD Nathan Venter. “Thank you for choosing us to design, engineer, manufacture and construct our cutting-edge solar PV mounting structure for this application.”