In the past two weeks two major solar power projects have been announced, at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, and at the DGB factory in Wellington.
The R20 million Waterfront solar project is at an early stage, and reflects the commitment by the country’s most popular tourist destination to going green environmentally, and reflects its CEO’s surname! It is planned to install 7500 m² of solar panels on eight rooftops of key buildings within the Waterfront, including the Watershed, the Clock Tower, Two Oceans Aquarium, Portswood House, and Granger Bay. When complete, the solar panels will generate 4495kWh on average per day, which would be the equivalent of meeting the electricity needs of 310 average size homes. Completion is expected in early 2016, and reflects the focus on sustainability in running the V&A Waterfront.
In Wellington Douglas Green Bellingham (DGB) has announced a 800kW solar power project, the largest production facility utilizing the technology to allow it to go off the Eskom grid, and thereby to reduce its electricity costs, stabilize its production, and to improve its marketability. In addition, it will generate income in selling excess electricity generated to the Drakenstein Municipality. By March 2600 solar panels will be installed on the roof of the Wellington factory, In summer months 160000kWh will be generated, and 50000 kWh in the winter months. At the factory 2,5 – 3 million liters of wine are produced monthly. The marketing benefit of producing the wines sustainably at the DGB plant is important to its markets in the UK, Europe, and Scandinavia. Given the focus on climate change, DGB expects to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Its carbon footprint has already reduced by 12% in the six years of measuring it.
Sources: Business Day, Fin24.
Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whalecottage.com/blog Tel 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here
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