Terra Firma starts operating 2.9 MW solar project at Maxion plant
Wheels producer Maxion Wheels and solar solutions company Terra Firma have commissioned a 2.9 MW solar project that is powering Maxion’s manufacturing plant in Johannesburg.
The installation encompasses solar panels on a carport roof, as well as ground-mounted solar panels, which are supplying about 20% of the facility’s yearly electricity needs.
This reduces Maxion’s reliance on the national grid and provides some protection against electricity tariff increases, while reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by about 5 100 t/y.
Under a comprehensive multiyear power purchase agreement, Terra Firma developed, designed, engineered and installed the project and will be managing and maintaining it over its lifetime.
The companies confirmed that a second phase of additional rooftop solar capacity was due for completion in the first quarter of next year, which may incorporate a battery energy storage system for energy arbitrage and backup power.
For manufacturers such as Maxion, like many in the automotive industry, electricity is one of the largest input costs owing to energy-intensive processes such as foundry systems and automated conveyor networks being used, therefore, managing this cost is critical to maintain competitiveness.
To this end, solar power offered an accessible solution that enabled manufacturers to reduce and manage costs, improve resilience and reduce climate impact, Maxion stated.
The company’s Johannesburg facility produces high-precision aluminium wheels for automotive original-equipment manufacturers in South Africa.
The global Maxion Wheels group produces about 50-million wheels a year across 31 locations in 14 countries worldwide.
In turn, Terra Firma has completed more than 500 projects for leading companies in Africa since 2012.
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