Hanover Hostel Hybrid and Back-up System

In Hanover, Scatec installed a 36 kW 3-phase hybrid solar and 40 kW battery back-up system in Hanover Hostel, ensuring learners have uninterrupted electricity supply during loadshedding.

The challenge

The hostel is accommodating 84 learners from the neighbouring farms who are attending school in Hanover. The hostel is providing safe shelter and meals for the learners. Due to loadshedding, the hostel experienced a loss of food items that were kept refrigerated. Further, the safety of the learners was compromised when loadshedding occurred at night or in the early hours of the morning.

How we worked together

Scatec contracted a company based in De Aar for the installation of this hybrid solar and battery system to provide electricity to the hostel during loadshedding. The 36-kW solar PV system consists of 48 panels that are mounted on the roof and three 12 kW 3-phase inverters and four 10 kW batteries which makes a total of 40 kW for backup.

Key results

48

Solar panels installed

84

Students benefiting

40

Battery Back-Up (kWh )

40

Cost savings on electricity bill compared to previous year (%)

The Hybrid solar system that Scatec installed helped us to save more on electricity bills and food items that are stored in a refrigerator like meat and vegetables. The hostel is safer now at night during loadshedding because the lights are always on and that prevents the premises from burglary and theft.
– Hostel Superintendent Mrs. Linda Wynne

Linde, South Africa, 40 MW

Situated in the arid Karoo region of the Northern Cape; Linde benefits from extremely high levels of irradiation. Linde was commissioned in July 2014, three months before scheduled deadline. The project holds a 20-year PPA with Eskom, the national utility company. The equity partners are Stanlib, Old Mutual, Simacel and Community Trust. Lenders are Standard Bank + syndicate lenders.