Hyundai sets the solar benchmark
The uncertainty and fickle electricity supply in the country leave no uncertainty for businesses that they have to prepare for the worst case scenarios.
Hyundai Automotive South Africa and some of its Gauteng dealerships have installed grid-tied and generator-tied solar systems to support their operations during load-shedding. This came at a cost of R14m.
“Due to the frequency of power interruptions brought about by load shedding and the cost of running diesel-burning generators, we investigated the benefits of installing solar power. Another aim of this project is to run our operations on clean power as far as possible, which fits in with one of the core values of our brand,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director at Hyundai Automotive SA.
“We are busy with a feasibility exercise to see what the most cost-efficient solution would be to install batteries in order to store power, which would considerably reduce the use of a generator,” says Anesh Parhanse, general manager of properties.
Hyundai HQ does not as yet have a storage facility, so all access power is fed back into the grid but on bright days, they are completely off the grid.
“Since installation, we have saved more than R8 000 in electricity costs at our head office. These savings will increase as soon as the storage system has been installed.”
Solar power systems have been installed at Hyundai Roodepoort, Bryanston and Weltevreden Park, Hyundai Zambesi, and Silver Lakes. All these installations use fewer solar panels, but they have the benefit of batteries that can store power.
The eventual goal is to have the total Hyundai network using solar and thus minimising its carbon footprint.
Source: QuickPic
